Expert: Amarnath.B - 11/10/2008

Question
I drink probably once every month or 2, sometimes I go longer without drinking, but when I do, many times I experience blackouts, do things that I would NEVER do if I were sober, and cant remember most or all the next day. I just dont know when to stop, I get carried away and want more..Am I an alcoholic? What should I do? Is the solution to stop drinking? Do I feel insecure, that I can;t go out and have fun without ruining it all? Help me please.

Answer
Hello Diana,

Let me first give you a brief description on alcoholism.

Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic,
psychosocial and environmental factors influencing its development & manifestations. Alcoholism is a disease characterized by a continuous or periodic impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with alcohol; and use of alcohol despite grave consequences and distortions in thinking, most notably denial. Each of these symptoms may be continuous or periodic. In a lay man's language 'an alcoholic is a person who drinks, has problems with drinking, but keeps on drinking anyway.'

Alcoholism or other drug dependency is a chronic, progressive, incurable, and neurochemical disease characterized by increased tolerance, compulsive using in spite of negative consequences, relapse and death. It can be stimulated by prolonged use.
Alcoholism cannot be cured but can only be arrested by total abstinence.

Even though you claim that you don't drink regularly, I have to tell you that memory loss and blackouts are an early high-risk indicator of turning into an alcoholic. Periods of amnesia (blackouts) are caused when alcohol consumption levels prevent the formation of memory levels in the brain and occur after a large amount of alcohol is consumed. Blackouts are a sign of serious intoxication and probably dependence. As far as I know, it really doesn’t matter how often you drink but the how much do you consume at one drinking session despite the consequences, is what really matters.


The only solution to alcoholism is complete abstinence, that is stay stop (period) and maintenance of continued sobriety can only be achieved by attending AA meetings. Of course you can have fun by going out with your friends by being sober.  Drinking is not the only idea of fun.  Millions of alcoholics have recovered and are leading a happier and healthier life better than normal people.  I think it is time you sat back and realized that if you continue to drink you might end up either in a mental asylum or die an alcoholic death.  The choice is yours.

Do mail me back if you have any other questions or concerns.

God bless


Amarnath