Not legal drinking limits. In the United States, what defines an alcoholic?
2006-12-02 17:49:02 · 8 answers · asked by Robert L 3 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
One who is afflicted with alcoholism..
Alcoholism is a chronic progressive and potentially fatal disease. It is characterized by tolerance and physical dependency or pathological organ changes or both--all the direct or indirect consequences of the alcohol ingested.
1. Chronic and progressive means that the physical, emotional and social changes that develop are cumulative and progress as drinking continues.
2. Tolerance means brain adaptation to the presence of high concentrations of alcohol.
3. physical dependency means that with drawl symptoms occur from decreasing or ceasing consumption of alcohol.
4. The person with alcoholism cannot consistently predict on any drinking occasion the duration of the episode or the quantity that will be consumed.
5. Pathological organ changes can be found in almost any organ. but most often involves the liver, brain,peripheral nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract.
6. The drinking pattern is generally continuous but may be intermittent, with periods of abstinence between drinking episodes.
7. The social, emotional, and behavioral symptoms and consequences of alcoholism result from the effect of alcohol on the function of the brain. The degree to which these symptoms and signs are considered deviant will depend upon the cultural norms of the society or group in which the person lives.
Alcoholism is an illness and should be so treated.
2006-12-03 09:53:15 · answer #1 · answered by Spirit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An Alcoholic is someone who has a mental or physical addiction to alcohol. They cannot live a normal life free from consuming alcohol. Many people become physically addicted. The body needs the alcohol to function. Many long time alcoholics can even go into DT's when the detox.
2006-12-02 22:36:19 · answer #2 · answered by djm749 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alcoholism is an addiction to alcohol. An alcoholic has an addiction, physical addiction to alcohol. The use of alcohol becomes the most important thing in the persons life. they get defensive about the use, the hide alcohol. They can't have just one drink. Alcohol rules their life.
2006-12-02 21:20:06 · answer #3 · answered by Mikki 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Someone who wakes up in the morning and drinks straight from the bottle of Jack, that's an alcoholic!
2006-12-02 21:16:44 · answer #4 · answered by iamblizzy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
IF it interferes with your everyday life, and ability to function. Lots of people drink every day, that does not make them alcoholic. Also, some alcoholics do not drink every day.
2006-12-02 18:27:48 · answer #5 · answered by Becca 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe someone who drinks EVERYDAY! I like to keep a bottle at home to have a drink once in a while but my ex drank everything that came in the house. That's why he's my ex.
2006-12-02 18:02:50 · answer #6 · answered by texasblueslady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not being able to control your use of alcohol.
i.e. can't stop drinking, or drinks at inappropriate times to excess.
2006-12-02 18:26:04 · answer #7 · answered by dropkick 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any one who admits it and goes to an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting. Everyone else is just a drunk.
2006-12-02 20:04:58 · answer #8 · answered by Jennifer B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋