Do I have an Alcohol problem?

[Willlll]

It's a question I've been asking myself now for the past year.

I've always classed myself as someone who enjoys alcohol but doesn't abuse it. I'm mid 20s, Married, Child on the way and have a high stress/responsible job. So where in my teens I'd be having one big blow out a week I'm now drinking regularly, in the house to unwind.

The problem with this level of drinking is how maintainable it is. Other than feeling a little less fresh in the mornings I don't feel like there's any other negatives. Top put some numbers to it, I drink about 25-35 units a week across 4-5 days.

The part that are worrying me is the only thing keeping me in control is guilt. Every day I think about having a drink. It can be an emotional reaction, a celebration, a supplement to an activity or as simple as I had a day off yesterday so I can have a drink tonight.

Important work this week meant Monday and Tuesday were dry. Both evenings I was irritable and wanted a drink, to the point I opened the fridge, thought about it and had to stop myself. Tonight after work and some DIY its been reward night and I've spent it drinking and googling if have a problem.

I guess I'm just after some opinions. I've always had control but lately I'm starting to feel like I could loose it.

[Willlll]

Thanks for the responses guys, I'll try to reply as much as possible.

With regards to quantity it isn't the case of "take what they say and double it" . As sad as it is I always log my quantities to an app (Alcodroid) so I have a really good understanding of my drinking. My average for the last few months has been 28 units a week. Doing this has created some personal rules that I try to stick to and have done for the past couple of years...

- 28 units is a level that I deem ok. Pushing past that I start to feel bad.
- 3 days in a row and its definitely time for a day off
- Not to drink immediately after work or too early

As for loosing control its not that I feel I could become a cliche alcoholic. Its the breaking of these rules that would be the loss of control. I'm already seeing negatives from my habits like getting irritable and wanting a drink daily.

In response to how I am when I'm not drinking I'd say mostly fine. It's certainly an evening thing where I find myself craving a drink. I've lost interest in video games/tv etc and the idea of a perfect night in relaxing is listening to music, light internet browsing with a few drinks.

Anyway, so after thinking about it today I've decided on some changes that I think I'll benefit most from. 2 drinking at home days a week max and socially I'll take as it comes. If i can do this I'll be down to about 20 units a week and have more dry days that non most weeks.

I think that will be the first positive step.

[Willlll]

Thanks for all the posts, gauging peoples opinions is really helpful. I'm definitely thinking my problem is a bit of a mental one. Like I've conditioned myself to feel good from alcohol, a bit like when people say there addicted to weed.

So this week is over and its one of the best weeks I've had this year for quantity. 19 units in total across 3 days.

The 1st day I started this thread. The next was a Cobra with a meal out and last night was another meal out where I did come home and have two drinks but it was 7pm and it was just to take me through until bed time.

Today's been a good test. My car was stolen in the night so its been a pretty crap day. Just winding down now and it is crossing my mind grabbing a drink, but I'm holding off and it's not taking too much effort.

So its a fresh week next week. I've spoke to the wife about it and while she was surprised I thought I had a problem she's being supportive. I've said no beer in the food shop this week :P