Do you ever find you cannot remember a part of what happened during the period of time you were drinking, maybe an event (don't remember going to bed) or a conversation? If this loss of memory while drinking has happened more than just a few times when you first began your drinking career, and has become a pattern of behavior, then it may be a significant indicator that you have a problem with alcohol. There are two types of alcohol induced memory loss. One is called a fragmentary memory loss; this type has often referred to as a "brownout" or "greyout", and usually looks like this: I drank to the point of being drunk (beyond buzzed), and did not remember a particular event that happened while I was drinking until someone mentioned it to me the next day; then, after Iwas given a cue about the event, I remembered it. This type of memory loss is more common than the second form of memory loss that I will describe here. The greyout or fragmentary memory loss should not be dismissed as unimportant if it happens regularly enough to be considered a pattern of behavior resulting from excessive drinking. Getting drunk as a pattern of behavior will result in negative consequences and can be an important indicator of a problem.

The other type of alcohol induced memory loss is called a blackout or more technically, an en bloc memory loss. With this type of memory loss, the individual cannot recall the information (which can be about events during a short period of time, or for hours, or can be intermittent, i.e., the person goes in and out of a blackout), no matter how often he/she is reminded of it. The information is not available. En bloc blackouts that occur as a recurring pattern of behavior (even once a month, for example) are serious indicators of a problem with alcohol (or any other sedative drug). If you, or someone you know, has a such a pattern, I suggest that you seek help. See my online addictions counseling services at http://www.alcoholdrugsos.com.

Do you have a high tolerance for alcohol? Are you often the one who takes care of your intoxicated friends even though you drank as much as they did? A high tolerance for alcohol can be a significant indicator of the potential to develop alcoholism. Take the free screening test available at my site http://www.alcoholdrugsos.com to see if you may have, or be developing, a problem.

Do you have a family history of alcoholism, say in a parent or grandparent? If you do, then you may have up to four times the chance of developing alcoholism than a person without such a history, if you drink excessively. See http://www.alcoholdrugsos.com for more information about addictions, including free confidential screening tests.

Use in the face of adverse consequences is the best rule of thumb in identifying a developing drug or alcohol problem. In other words: does my use of drugs or alcohol cause problems in significant areas of my life, such as relationships or work; do I know that my use causes these problems and do I continue to use anyway? If this scenario fits an individual, chances are that person has a problem and could benefit from help. Go to http://www.alcohodrugsos.com/ for more information about addictions counseling online and other help for an alcoohl or drug problem.

Self-honesty is the key to figuring out whether or not you have a drug or alcohol problem and may need addictions treatment. Is there a nagging thought in your head that there's something wrong with the way you use? If so, then you should investigate avenues for help. Check out the alcohol abuse information on this site: http://www.alcoholdrugsos.com. Try taking the free screening tests available on this site.

I sure wish someone would post about my blog or my web site. I am new to blogging and would like some feedback and help.

Please check out http://www.alcoholdrugsos.com for online drug addiction and alcohol abuse counseling services, plus a lot of free addictions information, including free, confidential drug and alcohol screening tests to find out if you may have a problem. For questions, contact Jan Edward Williams, MS, JD, LCADC, an experienced, licensed addictions counselor, himself also in long term recovery.