I just don't know for sure if I have a problem

I drink almost every day. And I know - that already should be a sign.
But there are so many different sources with different information on what’s okay and what’s not. Here in America, the recommended maximum is something like 1 drink a day for women and 2 for men.
In Spain though, it’s closer to 3 or 4. Italy, France, other countries, same thing. Some studies even suggest drinking a glass of red wine a day because of the antioxidants. So which one’s the truth?
I drink every day, but I don’t often get drunk. What’s more, it hasn’t yet negatively impacted my health. I know that this will catch up to me and just because it’s okay now doesn’t mean it’ll be okay in a few years, but it’s hard to say for sure that I have a problem when it hasn’t caused any big problems for me yet.
I read through this forum and through others online that talk about really sad stuff- health problems, money and relationships lost, etc. and I don’t feel like anyone would even want to help me when there are so many people who have had way worse consequences to their drinking. I feel like I need help, but it feels like they need more. Should I even bother asking for help, or is this manageable enough that I can figure it out on my own?
I feel really lost, and scared that I’m even here posting this. Any advice would be appreciated.

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People without an alcohol problem don’t seek out help. I’m not sure who originally said it, but someone here told me the same thing when I first joined. There isn’t a queue or X amount of drinks per day required in order to receive help and support here. If you seek it out, no matter the reason or amount, help will be here.

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Drinking everyday does sound like a problem to me… No negative impacts on your health? Im sure you would see the differenceif you quit drinking on how much better you can feel! Dont be afraid to get help, people have addiction from alcohol to porn, to cutting them selfs! Everyone is different! And if your posting on here about not knowing forsure if you need help or not, i believe thats a sign you do or you wouldnt be asking! Everyone deserves help and support so dont be Afraid to reach out!

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I honestly teared up reading this response. Thank you so much for sharing, and I hope it helped you as much when you first started out.

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I know where you’re coming from. I think one of my first posts was named “I’m not that bad”, where I wondered whether I should even be here: I drank most weeks, sometimes just one glass of wine, sometimes I would finish a bottle…apart from insomnia and anxiety- no real health probs, and also those could be attributed to stresses at work. But deep down I knew it was’t OK, I knew I wasn’t in control of my drinking. AND THAT’S A SIGN. So listen to your gut :slight_smile: Don’t compare yourself with others and good luck

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To quote Albus Dumbledor “help will always be given at Hogwarts to those that seek it”. It’s the same here. Period😉

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I have been drinking every day also. At first it was just 2 or three before dinner and i thought that was ok but it quickly spiraled into 10 and no dinner. Im only on day 2 now but i feel determined to get back on track. I live by myself so its been rather easy to hide and not be held accountable.

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@rach13

You made it to the app! That’s an indication to me, that mentally you don’t feel your drinking is within your personal limits of control. I wish I would of caught myself before I let my drinking escalate. Here’s a little truth that many here can and will share with you. We can always justify our drinking not being that bad, until it is bad.

I’ve said it before, if any amount of alcohol prevents or takes away from your personal goals then it’s an issue that needs to be addressed.

Welcome to the forums. I’m completely amazed at how much I’ve learned from my fellow forum people. I hope I’ve provided an unique insight to others from my journey experience.

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Ugh, this is so true. Ever since starting to live by myself I’ve felt a lot freer and more in control of my space and such, but with that does come the ability to drink as much as I want.

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@Gabe.G @JaneB @Shattered_dreams @Ascend @JustL
Everyone, thank you so much for these responses. This feels way less daunting and scary knowing that so many kind people are here supporting each other, even a noob like myself. I’m still scared, but I’m truly touched and glad you all took the time to say something. Good luck to everyone, and hopefully I can also provide your wisdom to other people some day :slight_smile:

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You probably wouldn’t be on here if you weren’t having some kinds of problems related to addiction.

Do you have netflix? Or youtube. You can check out “The truth about alcohol” and it will answer these questions for you as far as the right amount to be drinking.
Although Ill tell you from all the research Ive done, drinking alcohol at all is bad for your body.

Nobody’s should ever make you feel like your problems arent significant. If you feel scared and lost because you arent sure if your drinking is a problem, then its probably a problem. Dont be afraid to ask for help.

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I would certainly recommend cutting back to a level you feel comfortable with, because once it is a problem, it’s hard to get rid of

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I just want to add what someone once told me-- you’ve earned your seat. It doesn’t matter what your background is or who you are-- if you’re worried about your drinking you’ve earned your place, the only thing that matters is that you’re reaching out for help.

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A few glasses of wine is no big deal. Many of us cannot stop at that for whatever reason. It seems silly to have no self control but the alcohol takes it away and the brain is wired to demand more. If you feel this way, consider stopping altogether. Otherwise you’re probably fine, enjoy the ability to moderate.

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If alcohol becomes an everyday problem, that can be a sign of drinking too much.

You have just as much a right to be and post here as anyone else. So welcome to the club! :hugs:

As for weather or not you have a problem…your the only one who knows for sure but I can say that if your so worries about it being a problem but you continue to do it…it’s probably a problem. Lol

It seems like it’s causing you a decent amount of anxiety…enough anxiety to have you go looking for information and wind up here posting.( way to go with reaching out btw!:blush::+1:)

Stick around, see if you learn anything younfind helpful! Personally as usual I recommend checking out the SMART recovery worksheets and for someone in your shoes I think you may like the book “Sober for good”. If you try either of them, please let me know what you think. I found them both to be very helpful.

Best of luck!

Isn’t it strange that alcohol was deemed so dangerous that it was banned by the government. Just putting that out there for all of us to think about.

If you have to ask yourself this type of question, then you have a problem.