Am I an alcoholic?

Penny · April 19

So I am 14 year old girl. I drink, (parents dont know) and I was wondering if I was actually addicted. I’ve been drinking since I was 11, mainly my parents liquor or shoulder tapping and getting friends to buy it for me. Ik it’s not amazing but since I had to stop self harming I js started drinking more. I drink a bit, some friends drink more than me and some dont drink at all (fine by me). I have maybe a couple of drinks a day more if I have school and at least 4/5 if I’m out socialising with friends. Was kinda concerned abt it tho, my memory isn’t great but I can’t remember much when I’m drunk. My friend made a comment ( woah bitch have y seen how drunk y are all the time) abt how I drink a lot, I told her it was my way of dealing with life. But it made me think js how much I drink.🍸 any advice would be fucking amazing thanks

Sian321 · April 20

Hey @Penny , thank you so much for making this post.

From what you've shared, it sounds like drinking alcohol has become a way of coping with life for you, particularly after you have stopped self-harming - have I heard that right? That sounds hard, Penny, and I get the sense that you might be dealing with a lot right now. What kinds of thoughts or feelings do you find drinking alcohol helps you deal with? We're here and we're listening.

And thank you for opening up to us about the fact that you're beginning to feel a bit concerned about the amount that you are drinking, or to wonder whether you are addicted. How did it make you feel when your friend made their comment? When you begin drinking each day, what would you say you hope the outcome will be?

We're here to listen and to explore this with you and you're doing so well to talk about this.

I'll list a few organisations below also who might be able to offer you more advice and perspectives around alcohol and addiction:

An organisation called Addiction Helper offers free confidential addiction treatment advice including private treatment options for people addicted to alcohol, drug-taking, gambling, eating or sexual habits. They also provide much needed advice and support for the families of addicts and information about addictions and mental health issues. You can call them on 0800 014 8206 or request a callback on their website, available 24/7. You can also e-mail them at info@addictionhelper.com and there is a livechat on their website. If you would like more information, please visit their website at www.addictionhelper.com

We Are With You provides free, confidential online support to people experiencing issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health. They can work with you on your own goals, whether that is reducing your drug or alcohol use, stopping completely or just staying safe and healthy. They have a range of information and advice on their website if you are concerned about yourself or someone else, they have a range of local services across England and Scotland, or you can chat to someone online via their webchat which is online Monday-Friday 9am-9pm and Saturday-Sunday 10am-4pm. Their website is https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/

There's a service called FRANK which offers advice and information to anyone concerned about drug or solvent use. Their phoneline is open 24/7 and you can call on 0300 123 6600, or text 82111. You can also email at frank@talktofrank.com or they have a livechat open everyday 2pm-6pm. For further information, you can visit www.talktofrank.com

There’s an organisation called ChildLine which offers information, advice and confidential counselling to anyone aged 19 and under on any issue affecting them. Their phoneline is open all day every day by calling on 0800 1111, or you can go to www.childline.org.uk to access their webchat service. They also have a message board for young people on their website .You can also email Childline by signing up for an account and can have 1-on-1 chats with a counsellor when signed into your account.

Are there any organisations there you might want to check out?

Penny · April 21

Hi Sian321thank you so much for the organisations. I’m going to check out the we are with you one and the addiction helper as well. When I drink Im drinking to get rid of feeling so unhappy and lonely because I can talk to people easier when I’m drinking I think. When my friend made that comment I was a bit stunned because no one had ever really commented about how much I drink and I kind of had to think about it and be like oh I guess I do drink a lot ig.

Sian321 · April 26

@Penny , that's really positive to hear that those organisations might feel helpful for you.

Thank you for sharing too about how you will drink to get rid of feelings of unhappiness and loneliness. I hear you, Penny, and that sounds so hard. Loneliness can be such a heartache.

I wonder when you first noticed yourself feeling lonely? And where you feel your unhappiness might be coming from? It is also absolutely okay not to know. Sometimes feelings simply 'are', and that's valid.

It sounds like your friend has been taking notice and checking in with you. I wonder if you've felt able to speak with anyone else in the circle of people who know you about your drinking? E.g. what it might be like to talk with friends further about this?

We're here and we're listening.

Penny · April 27

Honestly it was an escape from reality so I could deal with life. I could talk to a friend I guess but I don’t know if I can trust them too much not to tell anyone

Sian321 · May 4

@Penny , thank you for sharing this with us. We hear you, and that makes sense.

It sounds like there have been moments where life has left really hard, and that urge to escape becomes strong. It sounds like it might feel quite isolating or lonely to be coping with this, and to be unsure if you can trust your friends to talk to.

How are you feeling this week, Penny? And how would you describe your relationship with alcohol at the moment?

I wonder what kind of support you might wish to see for yourself going forward in an ideal world?

You're doing so well to talk about this.

Am I an alcoholic?

Comments