How many units of alcohol does one have to drink per week, to be classified as an alcoholic?

Answer 1

its not about how much, its about dependency and how, what reasons you drink. there is a test at http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/ which you can take.

Answer 2

I don't think its the number of units per week that accounts for an alcoholic, but whether the individual has to have alcohol. For example you might only drink 1 pint of lager every week, but if you feel you NEED that drink then there is a problem. If you can go without it, and not feel uncomfortable in doing so, then there is no problem. Unfortunately many alcoholics do not realise that they have a problem. When asked most will say "I can stop when I want to". The problem is they don't want to stop- this is generally what defines an alcoholic.

Answer 3

It really is more about dependancy. Some people have a naturally addictive nature, and are more likely to become alcoholics, or addicts, than others. Many people are "heavy" drinkers, but if they then start drinking in order to help them through times of difficulty, they might begin to rely on alcohol, and be unable to do without it.
Alcoholics also tend to need a drink first thing in the morning, and drink throughout the day, not just at night time, or in social situations.

Answer 4

Being an alcoholic is more related to why and in which spirit you drink than actually how much you drink.

If you are using alcohol on a semi regular basis to deal with everyday problems or are consistently using alcohol as a recreational drug, it is a good chance you are an alcoholic or are on the road to becoming one.

There are alcoholics that drink little to none because they are aware of their internal tendency. So you cannot judge simply by the quantity within any even week as to whether or not someone is an alcoholic.

Answer 5

Go to http://www.drinkaware.co.uk - it is now printed on some cans, the daily units you should have, I think it's 3 units per day for a women and 4 units per day for a man. It was less than that (21 units for a man a week and 14 units for a women a week) but they made it higher for some reason.

Answer 6

Alcoholism can only be measured in behavior and ramifications. Alcoholism is by definition the interuption of a normal life by the infatuation/inability to stop drinking alcohol.

Alcoholism is not about how much you drink. It is about what happens when you drink.

Answer 7

There is no medical definition for number of units to be drunk to "qualify" as an alcoholic, as many have mentioned, its how it is affecting your life. If you suspect you have a problem, you probably do, weather you are ready to do something about it yet is a different matter. If you want to know more, go to an open meeting of AA, Listen to the similarities, as opossed to the differences, if there are any, and make a judgement for yourself from there

Answer 8

being an alcoholic is less about how much you drink and more about your dependancy on it, not everyone is the same.
Ask yourself could I give up alcohol and never drink it again, or even could i drink no alcohol just this week? if the answer is no then in my oppinion your an alcoholic.
As a side note, im not implying that your an alcoholic, it's rhetorical, i know.

Answer 9

Yeah, its not really quantity, its more like needing a drink to get by. Some people can knock it back and still live a normal life.
There are tests you can do on the internet which give you pointers to alcoholism.

Answer 10

Classification as an alcoholic has nothing to do with quantity consumed; it has to do with the effect of consumption on your life. If it interferes with more than one life function -- job, family, social, etc -- then you can be classified as alcoholic.

Answer 11

There are too many conflicting opinions. Honestly, YOU know if YOU are an alcoholic. and YOU will find YOUR way to either recovery or demise. So, tell me,
WHAT IS IT YOU REALLY ARE WANTING TO GET FROM THIS QUESTION?