Expert: james52144@earthlink.net - 11/29/2006

Question
hi am not in denial i understand i have a problem. Its how do i get help for my type of problem. I will try to make it short. I dont have the urge to drink nightly weekly or monthly for that matter. I dont drink every night and there is not a patten I dont drink when I am upset. If I am upset I want whatever is bothering me to bother me so I can resolve the problem I dont want to drink and dismiss the problem I want to fix it. I dont drink alone its depressing to do so. I use to hang out at bars for entertainment, but I havent done so in years. Ok heres my problem when I drink on occassion I drink alot. More than most people could handle.I understand what a blackout is, I have had them rarely but i do know what they are. I find that when I start I cant stop for that evening. I am a very inteligent and sucessful person and have a knack for fixing problems and I pride myself in not making the same mistakes twice, but this situation I dont seem to have any self controll once I start. Now this dose not happen everytime but enough where it bothers me. I think is problem going to get worse. Any my question is. Can I learn to drink socially and in moderate amounts in lieu of stopping all together?  I enjoy drinking.
Its not an obsession but is a problem Is there any treatment  to learn how to drink in smaller portions. Is this seperate from being a full blown alcoholic. Is there degrees or types of alcoholics. I heard there is a chemical in your brain people act differntly to this when they drink. I guess by now everyone understands I dont want to stop drinking all together I feel I would look like I am not part of normal society. Is there an alternitive? Anyone and everyone please respond. thank-you Scott  

Answer
Dear Scott

It sounds like you are a binge drinker, which means if you start, you can't stop. If you did it with enough frequency that it interferred with your life, relationships, job, etc., you may want to consider whether you have alcoholism. I suggest that you stop drinking. I haven't had a drink in 17 years, I still go to bars to have fun, I still get laid, I have a life. You don't need alcohol for all of that.