I just wonder sometimes if alcoholism and perfection are related. And if it is, is perfection the reason for alcoholism or vise versa. I consider myself an alcoholic and I am an extreme perfectionist. Any thoughts?
not quite sure what you mean, maybe go into a little more depth and i could contribute...id consider myself an alcoholic too or maybe a huge binge drinker not sure if theres a difference
Well what Im saying is, when you look at things in general, you see more there is to see than just what there is in general. I dont know I cant really explain it. Perfection is something I find more distacting than reality, it effects my job, personal life, everything I guess. just seeing if anyone can relate to how I feel
Hello, tuesdayafternoon, I just discovered your posting. I think I can relate to what you write. (Let me tell you what I think, and then we will see.) I can be a great perfectionist, to the extent it sometimes really interferes with my everyday life. What I mean is, wanting to do everything at least 110% well can sometimes slow me down immensely. So many little things that take me forever to do, so much left undone at all.... (That is what I mean by saying that I am a perfectionist.) Now, for the addiction issues: I don't do drugs other than alcohol. But I am having a really hard time to stay away from drinking if I have any alcohol in my home. Often when I drink, I don't stop in time and end up really messed up. Besides, I quit smoking some time ago. I used to smoke a lot for years, but then I realized I had to stop right away or have only a short and miserable life left. And then, I can binge on virtually everything. (Food, e.g.) It seems to me that I have an addictive personality, really... (I could explain why. It's not that I could not think of any reasons -- far from it.) And that I have to find some way of dealing with it. Thus, what I mean is: An obsession for perfection and addictive behavior go together really well, that's my own experience, too. But, what is perhaps most important: I am not having a miserable life because of all this!! It's just that I know that there are some dangers around for a person like me, and I am learning to avoid some situations for the moment, until I can possibly one day deal with them in a better way. (Did this help??)
I'm a certifiable perfectionist and I also drink every night (whether that makes me an alcoholic or not, i don't know).
Not exactly. What I was trying to say is: As far as I know, an obsessive personality can encourage both perfectionist and addictive behavior. Thus, there may be other reasons, which cause one but not the other. But I am not a psychologist... and perhaps I am all wrong on this! Shankey
Hey Shanky, I can definatley see where you are coming from and relate with you very much so. Obsessive behaviors can lead to addictions, especially with perfectionists
could be some truth to the logic ......i'm by no means a perfectionist ....if things work out well i leave be ........around me is usually in a disorder ..the only place there is no disorder is in my head ............and when it comes to drinking,i love a good drink but hate to be drunk ........last hangover i had was at halloween ...........1972 ...
MAN I REALLY FEEL THE SAME!!! I CAN'T BELIVE IT!!! I'm never satisfied with everything I do and what surrounds me, I always want to change things. Most of the people think I'm alcoholic because I drink everyday, I guess that's what I am, anyways!!! I think I drink because I just want to stop thinking about everything, just lay down on the couch and breath and smile. Happy to know I'm not alone like that!
hmm i'm drink now (to destress form a REALLY shitty day) so i probably shouldn't post but ..... there is a difference between alcohol dependence and alcoholism. if you depend on it you just use it as a crutch, if you had to give it up tomorrow you could but wouldn't necessarily be happy about it. if your alcoholic on the other hand you can't just walk away, happy or not. either way there are many reasons for drinking habitually and being a profectionist is definaltely one of them. being a profectionist goes right along with obessesive/addictive personalities. think about your obsessed/addicted to perfection which is completely unabtanable so you need find relief somewhere, wheather its at the bottle of a bottle or at the end of a marathon. anyways i hope that made sense. i write horribly. i can't spell and i forget words. haha doesn'y help that i been drinking.
what shanky & bethy said is right (according to the rehabs I've been in anyway).counselors always told me alcoholism is not only a physical dependance,but a form of obsessive/compulsive disorder,& I'd have to say I beleive it.If I'm not working,it's nothing to go thru a case of beer & 3-4 packs of smokes a day.when I'm at work,I can be a total perfectionist tho.I'm no kinda counselor or anything,but I do beleive it's a personality disorder.not that perfectionism is bad,but addictions fucking suck.
