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[spiderweb]

Thank you all that accepted me on my earlier post, but I do love to drink , and try differant beers and I can stop at the most 12. Please do not think I am just posting for fun, but am I an alcoholic? I drink every day, and as I said in my former post , I am drinking more since I retired early, 55. I love this site and need advice. Thank you :thanks:

[Turn Around]

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Hi spiderweb~

That's a question that unfortunatly only you can answer as my understanding is with it. There are tons of different views if you are or are not. I've been told if you have to ask that question, you most likely are. I don't have that belief though. Sometimes we all ask and seek questions to just evaluate our life.'s circumstances.

If it is causing health problems, or there is a very likely chance that it will, cutting back is an option. If you find yourself unable to cut back after many failed attempts, it may be you're physicaly addicted to AL. Best way to find out is to not drink for a few days or a week and pay close attention to your body and mind. It's worth an attempt to find out.

I am no where close to retirement age, still in my late 20's. I have a lot of learning to do, and just decided to completly take AL out of my life since the list of Cons out weighed the Pros of keeping it in my routine.

I worked in a coctail lounge a few years ago that was mostly retired men as the main customers. Great people, and enjoyed listening to their life stories and had a place in my heart. Gave me advise and many said the same thing. It's been almost 5 years since I have worked there and sadly many of them have passed away from years of AL consumption. Age ranging from 50's to 60's. That is so young in my mind. It is a harsh reality.

I hope that doesn't scare you, just wanted to share the things that I have observed in my own experiences and what I have seen as time has passed with others around me. Take care

[Lavande]

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Hi spiderweb,

Ask yourself - is it healthy to be consuming 12 beers in a day? Do you drive? Do you have family & friends around you or are you drinking alone?

I love wine but was drinking way too much when I quit 2+ years ago at age 55. Best thing I've ever done I chose to be healthy, happy & in control of my life for whatever amount of time I have left. I feel like a totally different person

It's up to you to decide what's best for you as an individual! Have you ever read the MWO book? It's a good way to get started. Like Turn Around I've witnessed first hand what AL can do to people. I worked in health care for nearly 30 years ~ it's not pretty!

Wishing you the best!

Lav

[PlaceSeeker]

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Spiderweb, one of the best definitions of addiction I've heard is: if it's something that causes you harm and you can't stop it, you have an addiction. And, they say anything over 2 drinks a day for a man is considered heavy drinking. Beer isn't categorized any differently than other liquors.

If you really want a gut check, commit to 30 days of not drinking and then reassess. It will open your eyes. You'll see what your body really feels like in its natural state and how that compares to where you're at now. If 30 days is overwhelming, start out in small chunks of time and see if you can do it. Have you ever taken the AA questionnaire? It's online and will tell you a lot.

12 beers seems really excessive to me - I'm not judging at all - just thinking that's a big quantity of alcohol!

Keep posting! We are all here to help each other. It's a process to be sure -- I've been trying to moderate for quite a while and didn't do well with it which is why I'm here.

Best of luck,

PS

[retteacher]

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SW: Normal drinkers do not think about their drinking & don't ask themselves or others whether they are alcoholic or not. If you are wondering if you are an alcoholic or think you might be an alcoholic, then you probably are one. I started drinking late in life...40's-50's. My alcoholism was progressive & really got out of hand when I retired. It was effecting my life:
-I was constantly thinking about when, where, & how I could drink.
-I was hiding my drinking.
-I was hiding my disposal of the empties.
-I was drinking more & more.
-I was blacking out & was hungover.
-I drank more than anyone I knew.
-etc.

There are on-line quizzes w/questions that give you an idea of whether you are alcoholic or not. That might help clarify it for you. I was in denial about my alcoholism because:
-I never got arrested.
-I never lost my family or job.
-I wasn't homeless.
-etc.

Mary

PS: I'm sober for over 2 years now, & that makes my drinking life much more obviously alcoholic to me. I can finally think clearly again.

[dancingon]

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I agree. Does it matter whether or not you're an alcoholic? I think you are worried that you have a problem and that it's escalating since you retired. Try to not drink every day. Try to cut down to no more than 5 a session. If that's not possible you probably have a problem that will be compromising your health and wellbeing.