Expert: Rebos - 4/27/2004

Question
Hi Rebos

This may sound dumb I don't know,  I don't drink everyday sometimes I don't drink for a couple of weeks (very rare), but when I drink I drink to get drunk.  I seem to be in a cycle I get drunk, I go looking for casual sex, I wake up and binge eat for a day or so and then go on a health kick for a day or so (sometimes even a week or two) then I do the same thing again. Am I being over dramatic, do I just need to pull myself together or does this sound like someone with a problem?

Confused

L : )  

Answer
Good evening Lucie:

Thank you for your question. I will do my best to give you a satisfactory answer.

Concerning your drinking only, “If drinking causes problems, it is a problem” Seems like too simple an answer? Well yes and no. If your drinking history, standing alone, is causing you no problems then your drinking, as such, is no problem. You can consider yourself a social drinker unless after your first drink you require more and can't stop until you fulfill your cycle of actions… then that is a different situation and you may have a problem. You may be what is called a binge drinker, and that in itself indicates that your drinking is a problem. Only you can answer the question as to whether or not you are having a problem with alcohol. Also, ask your self why is it that you drink to get drunk? Is it to give you the courage to act out what you may down deep feel is wrong? If you can't answer that question then why not try Alcoholics Anonymous and listen to some of the stories that you will hear and may be able to identify with admitted alcoholics. It will be time well spent for you to find out.

On the other hand the actions in which you engage in after you get drunk if they are bothering you in any way then “the bothering you” is a problem that you should admit is a problem, and therefore once again “If drinking causes problems it is a problem”. Not being a trained psychologist I can't answer that question for you. You should however, look further into the matter.

I may not have helped you with your question but I hope that I have given you something to (at least) think about. Good Luck in your search for an answer. Rebos