I’m going to the pub tomorrow. All my social events revolve around drinking and while one day I would love to be able to go out and order an orange juice I know I’m not there yet. I dont wanna feel like a failure if I have a couple of drinks but rather proud that I can only drink in social settings and not get totally wasted. Does that still make me an alcoholic? I’m so new to realizing I have an issue I’m not sure how this works. 1
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All I will sayis that nobody stops being an alcoholic. It is permanent. And it is progressive. Meaning it will continue to get worse. Even if there are periods of abstinence, it will always progress.
Only you can decide if you have a problem drinking pal. Nobody can tell you if you are an alcoholic. All we can offer you is our experience, strength and hope. There’s plenty of that on this site.
Best wishes
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If you are serious about thinking you are an alcoholic or even serious about quitting going to a pub and having drinks is not a good idea. Perhaps you’re not ready to quit?
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Really honestly, which of the following situations seems likely -
A - You go to the pub, have a couple, done. Next time at the pub, have a couple, done. And so on.
B - You go to the pub, have a couple. Then a couple more. Then a couple more. Do things you regret.
C - You go to the pub, have a couple, done. Next time at the pub, do B.
Either B or C you have a problem. I know by myself by thinking of the past which is more likely. And B or C is an alcoholic.
Alarm bells are ringing by ur use of the word ‘proud’. People who have difficulty controlling alcohol are proud when they do. People who don’t have difficulty don’t even think about it.
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Hi! I’m 50 days sober and I started going back to the pub around day 30. I really like pubs and it’s something I still wanted to do. But I only did it when I was confident enough to order an orange juice. Just as you, I thought all my social events revolved around alcohol. Then I realised that actually it wasn’t true. The truth was that I drank at all social events. Other people didn’t, but I didn’t even notice it (yes, most people don’t care if we drink or not!) When I go to the pub now (or to the restaurant, or on holiday etc.) I focus on the reason why I’m going (meeting friends, eating good food, seeing new things) and I always have a plan to stay sober. But if the only reason why I’m going somewhere is drinking, I simply don’t go. Now, you can go to the pub and just have a couple of drinks. But if you think you have an issue with alcohol, in my opinion it makes more sense to stay away for it. Have you ever tried one of those 30 day challenges? it might give you a better idea of where you are at 
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The big book suggests going out and trying some controlled drinking if you are unsure if you have a problem. Go out and limit yourself to 2 drinks a night, 1 night per week. If you can do this for a few months without ever going over your limit than perhaps you are not an alcoholic. But if you find that you are drinking more days than you planned, being unable to stop once you start drinking, or trying to justify drinking more than your original plan, then perhaps you should look in to a program of complete abstinence.
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No.i believe being an alcoholic is drinking like its water or truely an necessity
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Why do you need to order alcohol? Afwaid the adults will tease you if you dont?
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@Notlikehim i notice you haven’t been back since you’ve posted this? Have you figured out the answer to your question?
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I used to do that. I’d have a little time of sobriety behind me, then I’d say “a few beers here and there won’t hurt.” Then weeks or months later I’d realize I have been drinking every day. I’m the type that has to totally quit. I have total control to say no to the first drink, but once I have the first drink, I can promise you I’ll have another and another…
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Keeping those wee bottles of vodka safely in my inside jacket pocket all through the night for later… 
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So true! How many times I would go out with friends and talk to myself about how many drinks I should have. I think if you think about that or worry about it then you have a drinking problem. those that just go out and have a couple and dont worry about it dont have a drinking problem. Its hard to quit but I feel worth it. I went to a get together with friends who were all drinking and I managed to say no thank you. I feel good about my choice not to drink. But ohhh those no thank yous are hard to say but but I just take it one day at a time and pray.
If you have "A Plan’ that your only going to have a couple drinks!
Your an "Alcoholic’!
Making said Plan is one of the first signs that we fool ourselves with! Your planning this Days before it even happens.
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