Expert: Rebos - 12/4/2007

Question
Hello, I'm 28 years old and living with a disability. I've been on disability for 5 years now. I live with a roommate who is my cousin. He is the military and and been deployed for 15 months, and is coming home soon. I was never much of a drinker  until he left last year for his tour of duty. I developed a taste for a particular beer. I drink 12 a day, one an hour from noon until I go to bed at night. I don't have friends, or close family. I mention that because there is no one suffering or complaining to me that my drinking is bothering them.  I don't feel like I have a problem, but would like the opinion of someone who has experience dealing with the matter. Days when I have errands or doctor appointments, I will not drink at all until, after I've done what I to do is done. I never get "drunk", never pass out, I just enjoy the taste and the slight "buzz" that I get. Do you have any input or suggestions. Thank you for your time.

Answer
Good afternoon Gary and thank you for your question.

If I told you... if you are drinking 12 (I assume 12 oz. cans) of beer every day then you are drinking the equivalent of 15 ounces (almost a full pint) of 80 proof hard liquor each and every day. That adds up to almost 4 quarts of 80 proof hard liquor every week! I can’t imagine what it is doing to you liver and other of you organs. If I knew you better I would say that you are an alcoholic, but you are the only one that can say that to be meaningful. If alcohol is so important in your life… you have a drinking problem! Don’t tell me that you drink the way that you do, just because you like the taste. The thing you have to worry about is the “buzz” not the taste. Alcoholism is a disease of denial. It tells you that you are OK when you are really not! I would say that you are killing yourself by the drink. You say that you are not hurting anyone. What about you? Unless your cousin also has a drinking or drug problem he will be sure to notice the difference in you since he saw you last. If he doesn’t have a problem I don’t think he will stick around to see the end result of what the booze will eventually do to you.

If you have mobility I would suggest that you attend some Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to find out how insidious and cunning alcoholism is. You don’t have to sign up or anything like that. It is strictly anonymous. In fact you don’t even have to use your real name and especially your last name. AA will be close to the first entry in your local telephone book.

It is not my intention to preach to you, but you did ask for my input and I am happy to accommodate your request. If I can help you any further please send me a follow-up question. Thank you Rebos