Does drinking 3-4 cases of beer a week make you an alcoholic?

Question

I saw this question online recently and it was removed about 5 mins after posting. I think it's important to put an answer out there. Here's mine:

Difficult one - why are they drinking it? If they're drinking to "drown out" personal issues, then i suggest they seek help. If they're becoming a "slave" to their drink, and cannot do without, then they might be considered bordering alcoholic.

The problem, however lies in the definition and the definer - i.e. DEFINITION: The AA generally view an alcoholic as someone who is addicted to alcohol and has a maladaptive pattern of drinking that leads to significant personal problems.

DEFINER: You? The drinker is, to the largest extent, the one who has to decide whether they've crossed the line or not. 3-4 cases (slabs?) is a hell of a alot to drink in one week, but some people can take that and not get pissed. If this drinker is pissed every week, then yes, seek help.

AA is totally anonymous: http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

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Attn: the people who are giving "thumbs down" to the answers of "this person needs help", please can you comment and give an explanation. Adding a thumbs down will not help others who are currently in this situation.

Answer 1

I don't know if this makes a person an alcoholic, but it sure is a lot of brew to guzzle in one week. To me, if a person can keep booze seperate from the rest of their life, and not let it interfere with the important things (work, family, kids, etc) then it's not a huge problem. Unfortunately, booze is a drug and too much of it invariably leads to other problems. It's very difficult not to let it get out of control.

I personally only drink on the weeknds, and I'm a big man who can drink quite a bit. A 15 pack for me will get me drunk, but not totally wasted where I can't remember my own name. to someone who can't handle as much, that may seem excessive. To me, it's not, and I can get up the next day and carry on with my life.

If it's being used as a crutch, it's not a good thing.

Answer 2

as of now i would say that 3-4 cases a week is alot of beer and i would consider a person drinking that much an alcholic, several years back when i experienced the death of my g/f i turned to alchol about 4 months after it happened it i was drinking from around 4 pm to 1 am everday, roughly a case or case and 1/2 so at the time i considered myself a alcholic, but as time went on and i started dating again, i slowly begain to stop drinking. and now its been over two years since ive even thought about it.
oh i always stayed responsiable while drinking too, if i was at the bar i alway arranged for a ride, and if i wasnt at the bar i was at home with friends and i would make the keep my keys in case i got alittle crazy

Answer 3

I think the term depends a lot on the person who drinks, but if the reverse is true -- the person depends ON the drink -- then he or she is an alcoholic. The quantity is less important than the need.

Answer 4

It's not how much you drink that makes you an alcoholic, it's if you can put it down or not. If you can't go without it then yes you are an alcoholic .

Answer 5

The rule of thumb is:
No more than a 30 pack per day.

Answer 6

Way too much beer, this person is going to have serious problems giving up if he/she doesn't give up soon

Answer 7

I would say anyone who consumes that much alcohol definitely has a drinking problem...

Answer 8

Yes.

Answer 9

hey babe even 1 case (24) beers a day = youre an alcy!

Answer 10

it's only being an alcoholic if your drinking all that beer when your alone......greedy people i tell ya.