Quote:
Originally posted by Epona:
Thank you to everyone who answered my question about alcoholism! - I know I'm not an alcoholic. I don't ever feel I *have* to have a drink, it doesn't interfere with my job or my life (other than the occassional hangover which I have to work through!) and I can go through a bout of not drinking with no problem. I'm more of a social binge-drinker, some weeks I have hardly any, other times I'm downing beers like there's no tomorrow.
Now I can make an easy comparison - because I do know some serious alcoholics. Or rather did know - one is now dead after he drank away his kidneys and liver and a transplant failed  He couldn't stop even though he knew he would die. I am nowhere near that.
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Epona, seriously, if you're questioning your own drinking habits you might have cause to evaluate yourself. Alchoholism doesn't start off with the serious health problems, it ends with them. It starts with a habit, then progresses into minor health problems, like sore joints, acid reflux, ulcers, irritated bowels, water retention and weight gain/loss. Then it moves into moderate problems like gastrointestinal problems, fatty liver, anemia, lowered immune response, slow healing, etc. It's a slow progression. Habits can be more potent than you think even if there is no physiological addiction. Try doing my aforementioned test. Even some moderate drinkers find it hard to do. Gauging your reaction to abstaining shows how tightly ingrained a drinking habit is with your life habits presently. Knowing yourself and being honest with yourself can only help you in your decisions.