alcoholic vs cultural drinker?

Question

What divides an alcoholic and someone who merely drinks. Is it social? Is it from a doctor's perspective? How many is too many? At what point are you "Leaving Las Vegas?"

Consider the Frenchman who drinks a glass of wine every night with dinner, a Japanese who has a shot of Sake with each meeting, An Irish man at the pub after work...etc etc

What is the dividing line?

Answer 1

I had to take an outpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation program and go to NA twice a week and no one has the straight answer even there. Some say that if you start and can't stop... like once you have a drink or two you have to keep going till the night's over, then that makes you one. Some say if you drink every or almost every day. But the one that made me mad was when they say once an alcoholic or drug addict always one with absolutely no acceptions. Because I know people who have been sober for 5, 10 , 15... etc years and they shouldn't have to go around with this label on their minds that they are still an alcoholic.... sorry, that's off subject. So basically I don't know and there really isn't a SET and true definitive answer.

Answer 2

A social drinker tends to drink only in groups, usually a party or dinner setting. This type of drinker can and does stop drinking at will. There is no "need" for alcohol, it is merely a tool for relaxing in a certain setting.
An alcoholic has a physical and emotional craving/need for alcohol, and often fulfills this need alone. This person will forsake social and emotional connections in favor of the drink. They often feel they cannot "function" without the alcohol, which becomes a crutch for getting through a normal day. Quitting at will is no longer easy, and sometimes requires professional assistance.

Answer 3

if the cultural drinkers had to stop drinking they would have side effects and withdrawl just like a heavy drinker.

it is no different than taking a tylenol every day for years. when you stop you will have withdrawls.

i would further like to state that alcohol is a toxin. why would you want to do that to your body?

anyway. there is no fine line if you drink more than three drinks a week and if your going to drink, at least give your body some wine...it has antioxident properties in it and may help slightly with the damaging effects of alcohol.

good luck to you.

Answer 4

I think the difference between an alcoholic & one who justs drinks, is that the drinker can drink as little or as much as they want. Where as the alcoholic can not drink as they wish. they will drink untill they pass out. They drink to get drunk. I went through this myself. In a way it is hard to explain. Once the alcoholic starts drinking they can't stop or put the alcohol down.

Answer 5

An alcoholic is physically addicted to alcohol. If he/she stops drinking, there is a severe (and sometimes deadly) physical withdrawal process.

For an alcoholic 1 drink is too many, 100 is not enough.

Jay

Answer 6

"they" say when the drinking causes problems then its considered alcoholism. Its what the alcohol does to the person while they are drinking, or the after effects.

Answer 7

The dividing line is not "wanting" to drink but "needing" to drink
And, people who are close to you telling you that you have a drinking problem

Answer 8

an alcoholic cant have just one drink. in general when alcohol starts to cause you or your family or friends problems then you have a problem. and forget that stuff abt your only alcoholic if you drink hard liquor. i know plenty that only drink beer.

Answer 9

Let me have a drink and think about it.

Answer 10

When it affects your home,work and social life you are well on your way.