Trials Developer
Cheers to that.
Congradulations Dan
My name is Casey, and I am Trialsaholic. And, I can't seem to get clean.
Senior Member
I dont know how to class an alcoholic. I am pretty sure I was (am?) one though. They never did any tests on me, never scientificaly proved it. But I do remember coming home from work, polishing off a 12 pack of Busch, then going back to the gas station after dinner ( driving...Originally Posted by JetArtois) for another 6 pack. I had to make it a point to always have at least an 18 pack at home for fear of getting tipsy, running out, and then wanting to drive for more. I went 7-8 years of never going a single night with less than 6 beers, usually (almost always) 12 or more. More on the weekends cause I was able to start earlier.
I remember my wife getting pissed because I was drinking every night while she was at the end of her first pregnancy and I wouldnt have been able to drive her to the hospital, I wasnt able to convince her that a 6 pack wasnt enough to impare me. I had a very high tolerance, but I know I was a complete idiot looking back.
My personal description of alcoholism is having it negativly affect your life and not having the ability (or REALLY struggling) to stop the negative effects. If you really are having only 1 or 2 beers a night, and you have no problem stopping at 1 or 2, then I wouldnt worry. If by one or two you mean a six pack dissapears every night and you wish you had more then maybe look more into it. In my experience its progressive, my tolerance went up and it became easier and easier to drink more as time went on.
Having said that though, I never went to AA meetings or really researched the subject. I may not be a "real" alcoholic because I have buddies that went through the AA program and they tell me its impossible to stop on your own. So whatever, I dont know. My family needed me to stop, so I did. I possibly would have eventually lost them if I kept going how I was.
Member
28 years here - never touched alcohol in my life - but that's probably cause I know I'd be an alcoholicOriginally Posted by Oski
@jook - I completely get where you're coming from, and I agree with your definition. I've compared this to my video game addiction before. You had a beer, and couldn't stop until you'd had a few six packs. I would try a track "a few times", but couldn't pull myself away from the game until I had zeroed it, even if that was 6+ hours later and the sun was coming up.
As you said, it's an addiction when it negatively impacts your life. Whether we're talking about substances or activities, the principle is the same. If you're happy doing it, then there's no problem, but if it's having a negative impact on your happiness or the happiness of your loved ones, that's when you've got a problem.
@Murdoc - don't be so sure! We've spoken before too about your "unattainable pursuit of perfection" - a term that's stuck with me very clearly to this day because I believe it applies to myself as well. We both find something we love, and get completely absorbed by it. I totally get you.
However, one cannot "improve" at drinking alcohol the same way one can improve at a video game or an activity (like disc golf), so to me, the addictive element isn't there. The same goes for smoking w**d, which I do once in a while (never tobacco). I'm never tempted to enjoy these substances more than a few times a week in moderation, and I actually credit my personal addiction problem for that. I sucked at Trials when I was too high. I can't play disc golf to the best of my ability when I've had even a few beers. Thereby I felt like if I was "enjoying" substances too often I wasn't able to effectively pursue improvement in my chosen activity.
Something tells me it would probably be virtually the same experience for you... but who knows. If you're never tempted or curious then there's really no reason to take the chance.
Oh, and of course congratulations to Nytmair, jook, and all the rest of you who have conquered your substance addictions!
Senior Member
It seems like a lot of hardcore trials players seem to have addictions, including myself. I wonder if I ever would have really cared about a game like trials if I didn't have a deep compulsion to keep going for hours trying to perfect something. From my experience it is a double edged sword that can work both ways. Sure, I might have put a tonne of time into trials but on the other hand I know I would be nowhere near as successful in other areas of my life if I was not so closed minded and focused about achieving goals. Just have to keep fighting the good fight.
^^
Exactly, I've often rationalized the same way. Sure, my personality makes me get addicted to games, but it also makes me obsessively perfectionistic in my work, and I like to think I've excelled at my chosen profession mainly because of this personality trait, even though I don't actually enjoy the work I do. Double-edged sword indeed.
Just like the best musicians have almost always been addicts. Greatness comes at a cost.Originally Posted by NonRedOrchid
Senior Member
I've said it before and I'll say it again.. Congrats Dan, keep it up. As you said the benefits are showing.
I drink most nights and although it definitely helps me relax (and I love the taste of it), I don't consider it to be a problem. I don't struggle to go without alcohol and it definitely doesn't impact on my life negatively. My missus says I drink too much, by this I think she means too regularly, which is only one or two beers a night if that. I think she drinks weirdly tbh. She will only drink if she's going out and getting smashed, which to me is binging and abusive.
I think it's all swings and roundabouts really. If it doesn't impact in any negative way, then there's no problem (like Jook said). But if you know that there are problems, and you start making excuses and covering it up, then it points to alcoholism.
Well done again, Dan!
Senior Member
Wow.reading this more has made me understand you guys more..all of you..ive been through many addictions,im talking everything there is..but,10 years on and still going strong..cognitive behavior is a technique i use.its a possitive thought process..try n look for good in everything..its hard sometimes,but after doing it this long,ive retrained my brain..this is why people on here will always see positive posts instead of negative..but just to pick up on what you said mal in terms of personality..ive a massive addictive personality..i cant do anything half hearted.if i get an interest,im straight in there getting infod up like mad...i feel that alot of us,cos of similar age etc,are probably like that on here..its that sort of game which needs to be commited to,which in turn does suit people with addictive personalties..Originally Posted by Malachyte
sorry for ramling..better out than in though..n)
