Am I an Alcoholic or Have OCD?

by Imogene
(Dallas, TX, USA)

I have been drinking 3 drinks every night for the past 30 years. I do not have my first drink until after 8pm and feel that I must have 3 drinks. If I am at a non-drinking function, I feel anxious.

I am part American Indian so there is a history of alcoholism in my family. My sister is a very heavy drinker and my son is in rehab now. I am a 61 year old female and I work out every day, both cardio and weights.

I stopped smoking 6 years ago and I am in very good health. My desire is to be able to enjoy functions with family and friends without those anxious feelings.

Answer

Hi Imogene

3 drinks every evening doesn't necessarily make you alcoholic. The key test for alcoholism is about loss of control and dependence. The fact that you can stop after 3 drinks, tells me you can control your drinking, whereas once an alcoholic starts drinking they literally can't stop.

To me it sounds like you may suffer from social anxiety disorder, something I do too. That's something entirely different from OCD. A lot of people suffer from it actually, so it's not unusual at all. Google the term and I'm sure you'll find lots of helpful info on the subject.

There are treatments available for social anxiety disorder, that include medications and cognitive behavioral therapy. Personally what has helped me is meditation, which is more of a long-term thing, and occasionally using natural herbs like kava or sceletium.

I think the main thing is that you go on and get a proper medical opinion. I would suggest a good counselor or therapist to begin with and take it from there.

But unless your drinking is starting to create severe negative consequences for you, it doesn't seem like alcoholism is a problem for you. Not yet anyway, but do watch out for it because alcoholism is progressive and moves through a number of alcoholism stages. With your family history it does place you more at risk.

Hope that helps. Best of Luck.

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