i'm worried that i'm becoming/will become an alcoholic. Can anyone tell me how bad my problem is (if I have one)?

No prob. In Wisconsin, when you get pulled over by the police, you get a ticket if you're not at least .12.

You have a drinking problem.

Find things to enjoy that are more important to you then the drinking. You must be hurting a lot that drinking is the most important to you.

What makes you happy? Make a list and write as many things as you can. Aim for 100. It might take you a few years before you can do this.

Make another list of the things you are tolerating, i.e. putting up with in your life, the things that bother you. Aim for 100 of these too. This list will probably be easier, though just writing the list will help to get rid of some of them.

Surround yourself with serious alcoholics. Like bottle-a-day vodka types. Your problem will look less serious by comparison.

Why are you even drinking in high school? At least wait until college.

Classic social anxiety disorder. Most high school drinking revolves around seeing how drunk you can get but if you say you plan on going out and with a goal to abstain and keep getting plowed you have alcoholic tendencies.

Its a slippery slope. You get drunk and you loosen up and there is fun and good stories at school Monday morning and its easier to to talk to women and you probably don't want to miss out on that.

You aren't an alcoholic and I bet you could drink 2 beers alone and not need any more but if you get out of control in those party environments when you don't want to beforehand you are at risk to developing a problem.

If you can stop at two drinks you are not likely to have a drinking problem

Boy, that sounds a LOT like a bunch of guys I went to college with who threw away their talent for bunch of cheap beer. And you're in high school. My advice is to take a hard look in the mirror and ask yourself what you want from life.

Is getting drunk with your friends really your GOAL? I doubt it. You probably have better things in you.

Two "yes" responses indicate that the possibility of alcoholism should be investigated further. The questionnaire asks the following questions:

Have you ever felt you needed to Cut down on your drinking?

Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking?

Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

As stated above, these questions have a high sensitivity and specificity for screening of alcoholism. A true medical diagnosis of being an alcoholic, or dependent on alcohol, requires meeting more categories in the DSM IV. But that shouldn't be your worry; you have identified the problem, the next question is how you want to address? Say no to these invites. Hang out with friends who are not going to the party. Volunteer as the DD and stick to it.

There are lots of directions you can head, but ultimately it will come down to your own decision making and personal responsibility. Until you figure it out, stay safe and wear a condom. Seriously, it is scary how many STDs are becoming resistant to treatment.

Dude, relax. you're not an alcoholic. You said, "I realized it went something like this, sleep till twelve, go for a run, go to one of my friends house, get drunk with all my friends, then go to a party and hook up with girls. When i'm being completely honest with myself, going to parties, getting drunk, and hooking up with girls is probably my favorite activity."

You just described the ideal day of most people between the ages of 16-25. You like to drink beer, hang with your fiends and hook up with chicks? Shocking! As long as you're not drinking alone on the weekends or chugging beers in your room on Wednesday I'd say you're fine.

dafssdfdsafsdaf wrote:

Dude, relax. you're not an alcoholic. You said, "I realized it went something like this, sleep till twelve, go for a run, go to one of my friends house, get drunk with all my friends, then go to a party and hook up with girls. When i'm being completely honest with myself, going to parties, getting drunk, and hooking up with girls is probably my favorite activity."

You just described the ideal day of most people between the ages of 16-25. You like to drink beer, hang with your fiends and hook up with chicks? Shocking! As long as you're not drinking alone on the weekends or chugging beers in your room on Wednesday I'd say you're fine.

this.

You're not an alcoholic unless you drink every day. If you can keep it to once or twice a week, then you're not an alcoholic.

i feel like i am reading a post written by 17 year old me...

this is obviously anecdotal, but I had the exact same apprehensions throughout high school and college. I definitely underperformed throughout my career because of drinking, but damnit I had a good time. regardless, the entire time, there was an undercurrent in my brain that was basically "you already are/are going to become an addict, and it's only a matter of time." i absolutely lived for getting drunk every weekend and chasing girls, and i don't think i took a weekend off, ever. even in high school, i wouldn't go out if people weren't drinking, and i couldn't be around booze without being the drunkest guy at the party.

long story short, i finished college and got a job. i have all the disposable income i need to get drunk every day, but i only drink maybe 5 times a month. i'm just busy all the time and it's not a priority anymore. also, hangovers start to suck once you're in your 20s. seeking help wouldn't be the worst of things for you, but don't stop drinking before or during college. you would miss out on a large part of the college experience. if you think you need help after college, seek it then. having an addictive personality is an advantage in life if you harness it properly.

also... one thing you may find once you quit boozing hard is how hard it is to get laid. one of my biggest regrets about hs and college is being drunk all the time and never developing the necessary skills to get butt on my own.

but yeah... don't stop drinking yet.

isn't drinking illegal before you're 21?