Blackouts can be a sign of alcoholism; every one in recovery at one time or another had to decide that no matter how many days i drink, when i do drink, i get drunk. it says in the big book of AA that if you are not convinced you are an alcoholic, then go to the nearest bar and start drinking. if you find that you cant stop when you start, then you may have a real problem. many of us in AA did not have to suffer homelessness or severe consequences to join AA. Unfortunately, I did, but you do not have to. Weigh the pros vs the cons of you drinking and say to yourself “is drinking worth it?”