what exactly is an alcoholic?

Question

where does one cross the line?

Answer 1

Some1 addicted 2 alcohol in the same way as a drug-addict ( alcohol is a drug, but some people don't know ) can't manage 2 get by without a fix.

Answer 2

An alcoholic is someone with an addiction to alcohol and cannot control his or her drinking. The difference between an alkie and a social drinker -- The latter can have a couple of drinks and stop; whereas the alcoholic takes one drink and would have 100 if he didn't pass out first. One drink leads to another and another, ad infinitim. There is no cure for alcoholism. The only way to keep it at bay is to get sober and never take another drink. AA is an organization designed to help alcoholics stay on the wagon. Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. If you think you or someone close to you is an alcoholic, there are other indications, such as drinking alone, hiding liquor bottles, altering lifestyle, such as losing jobs, destroying marriages and relationships. That person definitely needs help.

Answer 3

Charley G.
An alcoholic is a person who has no control of himself when he drinks. When he isn't drinking he is usually thinking about drinking. Alcohol is a very serious drug to a alcoholic, but unlike other drugs, can be used by most people with no major problems. A alcoholic can live a very normal life, that is until he takes that first drink then he can't control himself, he will drink until he's drunk and usaually passes out. Blackouts are common for most alcoholic's, that is to say they don't remember what they did or said or where they have been for sometimes long periods of time. If when you drink you find that you cannot control yourself, it's probably a good sign you could have a problem.
TDCWH

Answer 4

I come from a long line of alcoholics in my family. I believe I am one but I can quit any time I choose to quit, which I have done many times. Most of my other family members and people I have known that are alcoholics can't do that. They binge drink, starting in the morning and just can't stop. That's all I know.

Answer 5

An alcoholic is an individual that can't just have one drink. They usally stay drunk all the time and can't function without it. Even with the loss of family, friends, and jobs. Alcohol becomes the main focus in their lives and they put it before anything else. An occasional drink is alright , but there is some of us with a sickness and one is never enough. If you can succesfully drink then your not an alcoholic. Alcoholism is a true disease.

Answer 6

A condition which continues behaviors demonstrated as harmful to that person. For alcoholism, that behavior is the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Some conditions which contribute to alcoholism include physical dependence, neurochemical conditioning, and a person's perception that alcohol benefits them psychologically or socially.

Crossing the line? - hard to answer. It is different for each individual. Everyone has their own 'rock' bottom. When one realizes one is powerless over alcohol -- it controls you. An obsession.

When drinking effects one's relationships, social life, work or interferes with daily living. Inability to control amount/intake, sometimes drinking alone or when alcohol is used as a coping mechanism.

Insanity = repeating the same bad behavior and expecting a different result.

Answer 7

An ACTIVE alcoholic is a person that drinks alcohol despite its causing obvious negative impacting his life, one crosses the line once a pattern of destructive or abusive drinking begins and the person fails to stop.

Answer 8

I think you are classified as an alcoholic when you are addicted to alchohol, can't function properly without it, and crave it all the time. When it controls you and isn't just something you enjoy every once and a while, you know you've crossed the line. I hope you haven't crossed that line, because things start getting dangerous when you do.

Answer 9

I am now in recovery. All I can tell you is that it was my first thought in the morning, and my last thought at night if I hadn't already blacked out, was where am I gonna get it tomorrow. Couldn't start my day without it and couldn't end my days without it. Where and when did I cross the line? I have no idea. As the disease progressed (and it does progress quicker for women) I found every excuse I could find to drink--you see, my life and me were finally dependent upon it. And to think, I only used to drink at parties...

Answer 10

Drinking more than two drinks per day on a daily or near daily basis. Someone who only drinks specifically to get drunk (never one or two drinks to relax on occasion). Someone who drinks alone. I am pretty sure those are the basics. Maybe you can check an AA site. You don't have to drink 'til you pass out or drink 'round the clock to be an alcoholic as some people above have implied.