3 ms·

My fear is that OP is an alcoholic (yes, you can be an alcoholic without drinking - it's that you're genetically predisposed to having a drinking problem). In t

My fear is that OP is an alcoholic (yes, you can be an alcoholic without drinking - it's that you're genetically predisposed to having a drinking problem). In this case abstinence is the only answer. If you have problems to which you cannot give up even a weekend then that's a red flag.

lisper 7y ago
Yes, I share your concern. That's why I framed the answer the way I did. But not everyone who occasionally drinks to excess is an alcoholic.
- favorited 7y ago
  And, despite popular belief, there are other ways to manage alcoholism than the 12 steps & total abstinence.
  - brodouevencode 7y ago
    Are the other methods better? What are those methods?
    - lisper 7y ago
      One way is to just stop drinking. Some alcoholics can do that. It's certainly possible to do it without buying in to the quasi-religious aspects of AA.
    - favorited 7y ago
      One medical option mentioned upthread is the Sinclair Method. It involves taking medicine like Narcan before drinking. The medicine blocks the endorphins released by drinking, so you don't get the pleasurable "reward." You basically retrain your brain, reducing your desire to drink. When I was struggling with alcohol, I found that I needed a secondary reason to manage my drinking. Once I decided that I wanted to start dating more, and realized that my drinking and the related weight gain was an impediment, it was an incentive to reduce my alcohol intake to a more responsible amount. I didn't quit– I still love California wine and I'm building a nice collection. And when seasonal beer that I like comes out, I definitely pick some of it up. But it doesn't control me like it used to.
- brodouevencode 7y ago
  Fair enough. When it comes to things like this it's better to err on the side of caution.
FlyingAvatar 7y ago
This tenet of 12-step programs has generally been proven false, and is possibly harmful. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/all-about-addiction/201103/abstinence-is-not-the-only-option https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/all-about-addiction/...

lisper 7y ago

Yes, I share your concern. That's why I framed the answer the way I did. But not everyone who occasionally drinks to excess is an alcoholic.

favorited 7y ago
And, despite popular belief, there are other ways to manage alcoholism than the 12 steps & total abstinence.
- brodouevencode 7y ago
  Are the other methods better? What are those methods?
  - lisper 7y ago
    One way is to just stop drinking. Some alcoholics can do that. It's certainly possible to do it without buying in to the quasi-religious aspects of AA.
  - favorited 7y ago
    One medical option mentioned upthread is the Sinclair Method. It involves taking medicine like Narcan before drinking. The medicine blocks the endorphins released by drinking, so you don't get the pleasurable "reward." You basically retrain your brain, reducing your desire to drink. When I was struggling with alcohol, I found that I needed a secondary reason to manage my drinking. Once I decided that I wanted to start dating more, and realized that my drinking and the related weight gain was an impediment, it was an incentive to reduce my alcohol intake to a more responsible amount. I didn't quit– I still love California wine and I'm building a nice collection. And when seasonal beer that I like comes out, I definitely pick some of it up. But it doesn't control me like it used to.
brodouevencode 7y ago
Fair enough. When it comes to things like this it's better to err on the side of caution.

FlyingAvatar 7y ago

This tenet of 12-step programs has generally been proven false, and is possibly harmful. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/all-about-addiction/201103/abstinence-is-not-the-only-option https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/all-about-addiction/...