Have you accepted and lived with an alcoholic. I feel there are varying degrees of alcoholism, for example, severe; drunk all the time, inbetween, and functioning, those who can somewhat control it. Any thoughts or insights would be appreciated.
Have you accepted and lived with an alcoholic. I feel there are varying degrees of alcoholism, for example, severe; drunk all the time, inbetween, and functioning, those who can somewhat control it. Any thoughts or insights would be appreciated.
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9 Replies
If they could control it - they wouldn’t be an alcoholic. I think you need to look at all of the down sides of it, before talking yourself into accepting it or accepting some degree of it. Where is your line? Decide before you start because you’re already moving it
There's no real control when it comes to alcoholism. Like any other addiction, it grips you.
What is often described as controlled or functional is actually masking, it's not healthy, better or even sustainable in a lot of instances but it is really common.
In my experience there is this misconception that you're only an alcoholic if you're dirty, homeless and falling down piss drunk.
But that tradie who needs to have a 6 pack every night after work can be an alcoholic.
That mum who has to polish off a bottle of wine every night while she cooks dinner because the kids drove her crazy all day can be an alcoholic.
That person who only drinks once or twice a year but when they do drink they literally can't stop until they black out may very well be an alcoholic.
Alcoholism runs through the paternal side of my family at an alarming rate (one of the reasons I don't really care for alcohol), I also lived with my inlaws for a period of time and they are both alcoholics.
Let's just say that I will never live with anyone ever again who has an alcohol dependency at any level.
Alcoholism is when alcohol is the number one thing in your life. You would rarely see a person with true alcoholism sober. They will wake up drunk and start drinking when it wears off. That is true alcoholism.
Needing to have a drink every night can be an addiction but is not true alcoholism. Fight me all you like but this is true. Alcoholism is an illness and the people with it are very sick.
I know a guy that wakes up (I don’t know if he drinks before work but he smells fine and acts clear) but he’s drunk every single night. That’s functioning, but barely, they’re functioning professionally but not personally and good luck to anyone that opts in on that down time.
Alcoholism is a disease in itself. You can be an alcoholic and not suffer from alcoholism but it leads to it.
Incorrect. Like all addictions and illnesses it works on a scale. Not all alcoholics are fall down drunks. Alcoholism is a NEED for alcohol. Instead of someone wanting a drink alcoholics NEED it, feel that they can't cope without it and will get it no matter what. The same as heroin. Some addicts use it and no one will ever know, they have jobs and function in society, others are homeless and commit criminal acts to get their next fix. Both are addicts
I am a recovering alcoholic and I was nothing like you have described. Misinformation like this makes people think because they are not like you described they are ok when they are not. There is so much misconception about alcoholism and statements like this don't help matters.
I can’t believe someone can be so ignorant and ill informed and then have the audacity to give advice, like they know what they’re talking about.
To the poster above, I salute you, congrats x
As a recovering high functioning alcoholic... do not just accept it. They drink because they are unhappy/trauma and they will drag you down with them. While I could function (basically hide it) I was not mentally healthy and nor where my relationships. Being high functioning just means we are good at hiding it and we have some sort of ability to know the consequences of actions and not do drinking and driving for example. None of that makes it ok. It will get worse I guarantee you. There will be days when the alcoholic cannot function at all and other days where the have amazing "control". They will still drag you down into their pit of misery. For your own good DO NOT accept it. They won't stop until they are at their bottom. Do you really want to hang around to see what that is? Because I guarantee you that it will be damaging to be a part of. If you accept it now they will take advantage of it. This is an addiction and like all addictions it is damaging to the addict and those around them.
I'm a recovering addict
Drugs & alcohol 8 yrs sober
Mental health problems that weren't deal with
Absolute no control whatsoever
The more the better
I was covering my issues for many yrs
It's about owning it & saying out loud " I need help "
And I had a shit load of shit
It was live or die I was digging my own grave
My life was a rollercoaster
Rehab was the only thing for me
Regular psychologist visits
D&A meetings CBT
I can proudly say I'm now living