Dear Unchanged by Poisoning,

It's understandable that you would swear off alcohol the day after your bad experience: blacking out for several hours is indeed a traumatic event. Many times our first reactions are extreme in that way; you thought you knew what had caused the problem — alcohol — so you decided never to touch it again.

Alcohol can be dangerous, especially when a large amount is consumed over a short period of time, leading to drunkenness or even worse, feelings of nausea, vomiting, and even blacking out. In severe cases, people can experience alcohol poisoning, stop breathing, and possibly even die. It's also important to clarify what you are trying to describe by saying that you blacked out. Many people confuse the terms "blacking out" and "passing out." To black out is to experience periods of time after starting to drink during which you do not remember anything — but to others around you, this is not evident. To pass out means to become unconscious, a physiological state that is medically dangerous and can be recognized by those who are with you.

But alcohol can also be enjoyed in moderation in social situations without turning into a problem. For many people who have experienced something unpleasant while drinking, the incident serves as motivation to stay tuned in to their limits and stop there. Reading Hangover helper will give you some guidelines for healthy drinking.

Nonetheless, you have good cause for concern that you are "already craving alcohol again." Though you profess that you can't possibly be an alcoholic since you've only been drinking for two months now, "craving" alcohol may be a sign that your consumption of alcohol is not as healthy as it could be. There is no pre-determined time-span before one can develop a problematic relationship with alcohol. First, it might help to think about what you mean when you describe your attitude towards alcohol as "craving." What are the reasons you drink? When you do, what do you hope will be the result? How does drinking affect your behavior? Your feelings about yourself? Your interactions with other people? Perhaps you are actually craving the feelings that you attach with drinking, such as relaxation, escape from everyday problems, or fun with friends. While Alice would in no way venture to diagnose you over the Internet as a problem drinker, you might want to take a look at Trouble controlling my drinking to review some of the warning signs.

If you are concerned that you may have a problematic relationship with alcohol, you may want to consider speaking with someone. This can help you assess your drinking patterns, experiences, and all the factors that have gone into your decisions. Exploring these things can help you make decisions about drinking in the future that you feel comfortable with and that help to ensure your physical and emotional well-being. If you are at Columbia, you can schedule an appointment with a specialist in Counseling and Psychological Services at x4-2878. Elsewhere, contact the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at 1.800.729.6686 for free educational information, as well as resources and referrals on alcohol-related health topics.

Alice

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