Am I an Alcoholic Week 1

 I guess you are reading this because, like me, you have asked yourself this question on numerous occasions. I am not medically trained but wanted to share my journey to help you and others decide for themselves and have help and support along the way.



So, yes, I have asked myself the question many, many times. I've always thought that I am probably a 'problem/heavy' drinker rather than an alcoholic.

I've held down a full-time job

I've brought up 2 children

I've been the main earner for 20 years

I operate at a high strategic level

I don't (and never have) drink in the mornings or even at lunchtime - I don't like it!

I don't need to have a drink - but I like to

Once I start I struggle to stop

I am in denial

I rarely get  hangover

My partner says I have changed from a funny drunk to an aggressive drunk

Then I discovered the term 'functioning alcoholic'

'High-functioning alcoholics are frequently not viewed as alcoholics by their loved ones, by society at large, or even by themselves.  This is because high-functioning alcoholics do not fit the common stereotypes of an alcoholic such as being unemployed or unemployable, smelling like alcohol, slurring their speech, being tardy or absent from obligations, and other such stereotypes that come to mind when one thinks of an alcoholic.  Since high-functioning alcoholics are able to seemingly perform well, their alcohol use does not appear to be problematic.  As such, individuals who are high-functioning alcoholics are often not confronted by their family, friends or by their colleagues in relation to their behaviors surrounding their drinking.  Furthermore, high-functioning alcoholics also lack insight into how or if their alcohol use is causing disruption to their lives.  As such, there is often failure to recognize that their alcohol use is a problem leading to failure to get them help.'

Was this me?

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