Drug/Alcohol Checklist

Note as many of the following statements as fit you.

___ I frequently (once or twice a day) find that my conversation
centers on drug or drinking experiences.

___ I drink or get high to deal with tension or physical stress.

___ Most of my friends or acquaintances are people I drink or get high
with.

___ I have lost days of school/work because of drinking or other drug use.

___ I have had the shakes when going without drinking or using drugs.

___ I regularly get high or take a drink upon awakening, before eating,
or while at school/work.

___ I have been arrested for Driving Under the Influence of a substance.

___ I have periods of time that can't be remembered (blackouts).

___ Family members think drinking or other drug use is a problem for me.

___ I have tried to quit using substances but cannot.(A good test is
voluntarily going for six weeks without substances and not
experiencing physical or emotional distress.)

___ I often double up and/or gulp drinks or regularly use more drugs
than others at parties.

___ I often drink or take drugs to "get ready" for a social occasion.

___ I regularly hide alcohol/drugs from those close to me so that they
will not know how much I am using.

___ I often drink or get high by myself.

___ My drinking or use of drugs has led to conflict with my friends or
family members.

So these are the statements that have fit me these past few months:

----------

I frequently (once or twice a day) find that my conversation
centers on drug or drinking experiences.

I drink or get high to deal with tension or physical stress.

I have lost days of school/work because of drinking or other drug use.

I have had the shakes when going without drinking or using drugs.

Family members think drinking or other drug use is a problem for me.

I have tried to quit using substances but cannot.(A good test is
voluntarily going for six weeks without substances and not
experiencing physical or emotional distress.)

I often double up and/or gulp drinks or regularly use more drugs
than others at parties.

I often drink or get high by myself.

My drinking or use of drugs has led to conflict with my friends or
family members.

RDL wrote:

So these are the statements that have fit me these past few months:
----------
I frequently (once or twice a day) find that my conversation
centers on drug or drinking experiences.
I drink or get high to deal with tension or physical stress.
I have lost days of school/work because of drinking or other drug use.
I have had the shakes when going without drinking or using drugs.
Family members think drinking or other drug use is a problem for me.
I have tried to quit using substances but cannot.(A good test is
voluntarily going for six weeks without substances and not
experiencing physical or emotional distress.)
I often double up and/or gulp drinks or regularly use more drugs
than others at parties.
I often drink or get high by myself.
My drinking or use of drugs has led to conflict with my friends or
family members.

So every one of these questions is behavioural related with the exception of one. I have tried to quit using substances but cannot.(A good test is voluntarily going for six weeks without substances and not experiencing physical or emotional distress.)And the most important part of this question is that which is in quotes:(not experiencing physical or emotional distress.) If you are experiencing these symptoms, then you need to see a professional and be diagnosed for a probable cause (i.e. depression, anxiety or some other psychological problem that is treatable.) Obviously you are abusing the substances of your choice to self-medicate for the psychological problems you can't cope with. One thing is for sure, you do not have some fictitious, non-existent disease.

No need to worry about me, I've been sober for almost 9 days now.

I am well aware that I chose to drink on Halloween night, and I am well aware that this past week I have chosen not to drink.

But it wasn't that I was self-medicating. It was that I was trying to fit in and be like everyone else.

But now I know that I can't handle my liquor, and now I know better than to drink.

RDL wrote:

No need to worry about me, I've been sober for almost 9 days now.
I am well aware that I chose to drink on Halloween night, and I am well aware that this past week I have chosen not to drink.
But it wasn't that I was self-medicating. It was that I was trying to fit in and be like everyone else.
But now I know that I can't handle my liquor, and now I know better than to drink.

It sounds to me like you are a rational person. Congrats on taking responsibility for your actions. I just hope that you see that you don't have to be like everyone else to fit in. Be yourself. No one can ever tell you you're doing it wrong. Besides, stay sober at a few parties and you will see a lot of fools that haven't figured out what you have.

mickey wrote:

<quoted text>
It sounds to me like you are a rational person. Congrats on taking responsibility for your actions. I just hope that you see that you don't have to be like everyone else to fit in. Be yourself. No one can ever tell you you're doing it wrong. Besides, stay sober at a few parties and you will see a lot of fools that haven't figured out what you have.

I've already made plans to go to a few events where alcohol is not permitted, that way I can't get drunk again.

- I sometimes go to dances at a rec centre on Wednesday nights.
- I sometimes go to AA meetings on Friday and/or Saturday nights, just to talk about my progress, not to have them brainwash me or anything.
- work Christmas party is on Dec 5th
- work Christmas skate is on Dec 16th
- and I'll probably spend Christmas and maybe New Year's at my parents' house.