2006-09-29 03:41:30 · 32 answers · asked by Scamp 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
An alcoholic is a person who, once s/he picks up that first drink, has absolutely no control over when or whether s/he is going to quit or what s/he is going to do while drinking.
They may have only three drinks this time.
The next day, under the same circumstances, they may find themselves drinking six, eight, a dozen or more and missing work or getting into trouble with family or friends.
The point is, an alcoholic has lost all choice in the matter of how much they will drink once they get started. They will struggle to control it, and may even be successful for a period of time, but eventually they find themselves drinking too much again on one or more occasions, despite promising themselves (or other people) not to.
It isn't how much you drink that makes you an alcoholic, it's what it does to you when you do, and whether or not you are able to be comfortable without it. If it gets you into trouble and yet you can't drink moderately, you have a drinking problem.
2006-09-29 03:54:26 · answer #1 · answered by sparticle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it about your own perception, but saying that many alcoholics are in denial and only the people around them can see the problem.
Reading everyone else answers its obvious we all have different opinions, I think it depend on your life experience of it. If you ask the question I guess its for a reason.
A while ago I asked myself the same question because I knew I was drinking a lot. Not always in socially gathering, sometimes at home while my partner was not.
I decided to try to stop drinking, I found it hard but I found I could do it for a few times a week. It made me realise I enjoy a drink but I don't need it, there are times when I drink more, I have had times when I have been through a lot and I guess I do turn to alcohol to chill me out but I can go without.
So I think it about individual circumstances, I think I could have gotten out of control but didn't want to and i started to think about it but if i had been with people who also drank heavily I'm not sure I would have been able to keep in control.
2006-09-29 08:47:13 · answer #2 · answered by b.ridgette 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An alcoholic is a person that craves alcohol and continues drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law. An alcoholics symptoms include craving, impaired control, physical dependence, and increased tolerance.
2006-09-29 03:53:02 · answer #3 · answered by Tuppence 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
am I an Alcoholic I drink most days but have tues, wed, thursday off and when I say drink I mean 2 or 3 cans of larger or a couple of glasses of wine.
I say that an Alcoholic is someone who can not go without a drink at all. First thing they do when they get out of bed is either drink or think about their next drink.
Americans IMHO seem to think that if you drink at all then your an Alcoholic.
2006-09-29 03:51:26 · answer #4 · answered by Gary 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's me! I've been sober for 22 years, as a rule I don't say that, when someone asks, I usually say since I got up this morning. Nobody knows what makes an alcoholic, one theory is we don't have that gizmo inside that says that's enough. In any case, an alcoholic is someone who puts being sober above everything else, if they're still drinking, they're drunks.
2006-09-29 09:45:49 · answer #5 · answered by sluggo1947 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you get the shakes, u get stomach problems, u start forgetting things, u can't function without a drink or 2, u lose your job, and maybe even your marriage. U will steal, cheat and lie to friends and family. this is an alcoholic. i know.. so if your only having a few drinks a day, keep it that way, because if it goes beyond that, you'll be in a world of hurt.
2006-09-29 05:02:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Someone who cannot get through the day without a alcoholic drink.
2006-09-29 03:50:48 · answer #7 · answered by CPK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you feel a compulsion to drink alcohol on a frequent basis which is inconsistant with the social norm. When your day to day life is adversely affected by your need for alcohol then you know you have a substance misue problem.
Check this website for very good tips/advice:
http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/servlets/doc/715
2006-09-29 03:55:28 · answer #8 · answered by Akasha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A person who abuses alcohol by being drunk all the time hiding the booze can not go a day without booze and is in denial just like a drug addict...alcohol is a drug and it is easy to get and people tend to bury their problems in it ...it is a sad and growing Disease in this country...sureilll
2006-09-29 03:53:32 · answer #9 · answered by COOKIE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say it is the same with any addiction, alcohol, drugs, smoking, sex, gambling and some more minor ones. If ceasing the activity causes you mental and or physical trauma, you are addicted. In the case of alcohol it is termed alcoholic.
Vaya con DIOS
2006-09-29 03:49:09 · answer #10 · answered by chrisbrown_222 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋