Do you think I’m an alcoholic?

[Anonymous]

My DH drinks one drink a night and has for his entire life. I don't think it is healthy but that is on him. I used to drink very little and now due to health issues none at all. My DS who is in college won't touch a drop. He says "why would I pour literal poison in my body".

[Anonymous]

What? Not. Americans are so uptight about so many things, alcohol included.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So i’m back to post that I am absolutely exhausted all of the time. I have no clue if it’s coincidental with cutting out alcohol, but the extreme fatigue is kind of startling. I’m not sick. Still forcing myself to work out or at least walk the dog daily, but I am sleeping a ridiculous amount, and if I don’t absolutely have to be upright, I am lying down on the couch. My diet, caffeine intake, and water is all the same as before the new year. Literally the only thing that’s different is I am drinking zero alcohol.
-OP

Mild withdrawal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So i’m back to post that I am absolutely exhausted all of the time. I have no clue if it’s coincidental with cutting out alcohol, but the extreme fatigue is kind of startling. I’m not sick. Still forcing myself to work out or at least walk the dog daily, but I am sleeping a ridiculous amount, and if I don’t absolutely have to be upright, I am lying down on the couch. My diet, caffeine intake, and water is all the same as before the new year. Literally the only thing that’s different is I am drinking zero alcohol.
-OP

Mild withdrawal?

From one glass a night? It's probably seasonal affective disorder. It's been insanely gray here this month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So i’m back to post that I am absolutely exhausted all of the time. I have no clue if it’s coincidental with cutting out alcohol, but the extreme fatigue is kind of startling. I’m not sick. Still forcing myself to work out or at least walk the dog daily, but I am sleeping a ridiculous amount, and if I don’t absolutely have to be upright, I am lying down on the couch. My diet, caffeine intake, and water is all the same as before the new year. Literally the only thing that’s different is I am drinking zero alcohol.
-OP

This is a common side effect of detoxing from most mood-altering substances. Your system is used to having alcohol (carbs, sugars), and has to recalibrate. Rest, stay hydrated, and see your doctor if it's debilitating/worrisome. Your neurotransmitters are also likely "burned out" and recalibrating.

This is why many people relapse. Withdrawal from habit-forming substances is uncomfortable. You will get through it. Hang in there, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So i’m back to post that I am absolutely exhausted all of the time. I have no clue if it’s coincidental with cutting out alcohol, but the extreme fatigue is kind of startling. I’m not sick. Still forcing myself to work out or at least walk the dog daily, but I am sleeping a ridiculous amount, and if I don’t absolutely have to be upright, I am lying down on the couch. My diet, caffeine intake, and water is all the same as before the new year. Literally the only thing that’s different is I am drinking zero alcohol.
-OP

Mild withdrawal?

+1 Exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So i’m back to post that I am absolutely exhausted all of the time. I have no clue if it’s coincidental with cutting out alcohol, but the extreme fatigue is kind of startling. I’m not sick. Still forcing myself to work out or at least walk the dog daily, but I am sleeping a ridiculous amount, and if I don’t absolutely have to be upright, I am lying down on the couch. My diet, caffeine intake, and water is all the same as before the new year. Literally the only thing that’s different is I am drinking zero alcohol.
-OP

Mild withdrawal?

From one glass a night? It's probably seasonal affective disorder. It's been insanely gray here this month.

Happened to me when I quit in the summer. It's withdrawal. Go through it. Don't make excuses. It will pass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So i’m back to post that I am absolutely exhausted all of the time. I have no clue if it’s coincidental with cutting out alcohol, but the extreme fatigue is kind of startling. I’m not sick. Still forcing myself to work out or at least walk the dog daily, but I am sleeping a ridiculous amount, and if I don’t absolutely have to be upright, I am lying down on the couch. My diet, caffeine intake, and water is all the same as before the new year. Literally the only thing that’s different is I am drinking zero alcohol.
-OP

Mild withdrawal?

+1 Exactly.

Your theory is that sometime more than 17, but fewer than 22, days into abstaining from alcohol, OP developed “withdrawal”?

It’s amateur hour here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In 53 years of living I have yet to see the person whose 'one' daily glass of wine is a four ounce pour.

So true, I love this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So i’m back to post that I am absolutely exhausted all of the time. I have no clue if it’s coincidental with cutting out alcohol, but the extreme fatigue is kind of startling. I’m not sick. Still forcing myself to work out or at least walk the dog daily, but I am sleeping a ridiculous amount, and if I don’t absolutely have to be upright, I am lying down on the couch. My diet, caffeine intake, and water is all the same as before the new year. Literally the only thing that’s different is I am drinking zero alcohol.
-OP

Mild withdrawal?

DP - yes, it's this. Alcohol contains a lot of sugar - not table sugar, but sugar calories. Your body is withdrawing from it. It's looking for its fix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So i’m back to post that I am absolutely exhausted all of the time. I have no clue if it’s coincidental with cutting out alcohol, but the extreme fatigue is kind of startling. I’m not sick. Still forcing myself to work out or at least walk the dog daily, but I am sleeping a ridiculous amount, and if I don’t absolutely have to be upright, I am lying down on the couch. My diet, caffeine intake, and water is all the same as before the new year. Literally the only thing that’s different is I am drinking zero alcohol.
-OP

Mild withdrawal?

+1 Exactly.

Your theory is that sometime more than 17, but fewer than 22, days into abstaining from alcohol, OP developed “withdrawal”?

It’s amateur hour here.

Put your wine down and listen: withdrawal and detox takes months. I know, right? You thought it was just one little drink a day, so it should all go away in a week, tops. And you were stupid wrong. Your neurotransmitters don't magically bounce back in a week, or even a month. If you have habitually used mind-altering substances, like alcohol, on a daily basis for months/years, it's going to take some time for your body to recalibrate.

That OP made it through the first couple weeks without massive symptoms may be due to lower use amounts, or an easier withdrawal/detox in general. Or it could be pink clouds: https://www.healthline.com/health/pink-cloud

Yes, clearly, it is amateur hour where you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So i’m back to post that I am absolutely exhausted all of the time. I have no clue if it’s coincidental with cutting out alcohol, but the extreme fatigue is kind of startling. I’m not sick. Still forcing myself to work out or at least walk the dog daily, but I am sleeping a ridiculous amount, and if I don’t absolutely have to be upright, I am lying down on the couch. My diet, caffeine intake, and water is all the same as before the new year. Literally the only thing that’s different is I am drinking zero alcohol.
-OP

Mild withdrawal?

+1 Exactly.

Your theory is that sometime more than 17, but fewer than 22, days into abstaining from alcohol, OP developed “withdrawal”?

It’s amateur hour here.

Put your wine down and listen: withdrawal and detox takes months. I know, right? You thought it was just one little drink a day, so it should all go away in a week, tops. And you were stupid wrong. Your neurotransmitters don't magically bounce back in a week, or even a month. If you have habitually used mind-altering substances, like alcohol, on a daily basis for months/years, it's going to take some time for your body to recalibrate.

That OP made it through the first couple weeks without massive symptoms may be due to lower use amounts, or an easier withdrawal/detox in general. Or it could be pink clouds: https://www.healthline.com/health/pink-cloud

Yes, clearly, it is amateur hour where you are.

Not drinking. Wine OR Koolaid. OP is not in withdrawal.

[Anonymous]

I just saw this ad on TV and came to post it in this thread. I’ve been mostly teetotal for several years now - just a glass or two of wine at Xmas and Easter and Thanksgiving. I feel good about it because of the health issues and I needed to avoid migraine triggers and alcohol is a big one.

But I could see treating myself to one of these a couple times a week, since it’s guilt free!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In 53 years of living I have yet to see the person whose 'one' daily glass of wine is a four ounce pour.

So true, I love this

I’ve known multiple people who drink as little (or less) as that picture on a daily basis. Idk who all you are hanging with that you’ve never seen it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would prove him wrong and no drink.

This. Give it 30 days without one drink. If you can do it, you're not an alcoholic.

This is not true at all.

I am an alcoholic. I know plenty of other alcoholics who have quit for all kinds of reasons, including dry January, to “prove” that they’re not an alcoholic. The difference is they always go back to drinking like they did, or more, after the “prescribed” time.

Dry January should be part of a reset, not a sentence.

Same. I could quit for long periods. Meant nothing. Also, it took ten years for me to develop a problem. It may not feel like a problem for a long time. Like lots of people, I also mitigated it by working out/sweating. I also accomplished a ton during those year. I’m still an alcoholic. It looks different on different people. When I told some friends I had quit drinking, people's who had drank with me, they were surprised. AA says that alcoholic is “cunning, baffling and powerful” and I think that’s true. And I haven’t attended meetings in years and am no AA thumper. But alcohol is way too much a part of many people’s lives. I know many people who don’t drink because it became a crutch or they didn’t like hangovers or because of calories. You don’t have to be an alcoholic to decide it’s not that great for you. If nothing else, it negatively affects your moods and sleep, and you never have to worry about how you acted or what you said.