Expert: Clyde - 4/6/2009

Question
I might drink 2-3 beers 3 times during the week after work at home and about a 6 pack on Saturdays and Sundays at home. I am starting to maybe feel I have a problem. Is this something I should worry about? Is this too much? My dad and Mom never drank around us, but I notice 2 of my sisters do drink quite a bit on weekends. 1 brother has a DUI, I got one back in 97 also. One brother and one sister hardly drink. I'm just need to know if this is something I need to worry about. I'm actually thinking of quiting cold turkey. Do I need another DUI to keep me in check? What's going on? Thanks for the help. Joe

Answer
Joe,
   Thanks for the questions and for explaining something of your drinking habits.  Only you can say if you are drinking alcoholically but it is good to get some perspectives on it by asking some questions.

   I would recommend that you consider attending a few Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to get some experience , strength and hope for the people who do know they are alcoholics.  They will share with you how their drinking progressed and how they stopped.  The only requirement for membership in AA is a "desire to stop drinking."  We can show you how we did it.

   You also might want to purchase a copy of the Big Book of AA titled "Alcoholics Anonymous."  It is widely available at bookstores and even used on the Internet through Amazon.com, ABE.com, Alibris.com, etc.

   In the book you'll be able to read something about alcoholic thinking and some stories of "what it was like, what happened, and what it is like now" for some alcoholics who successfully stopped.

  We say in AA that our hats are off to anyone who can just stop cold turkey but if you find that you can not stop and stay stopped, we are in the rooms seven days a week to help you find out more about alcoholism

   Good luck and let me now if I may of any further help.

Grace and Peace,
Clyde