How to tell if someone is an alcoholic?

Question

I don't want to give too much information, but I'm concerned about someone.

Drinks a bottle of wine when they get up
Drinks during working hours I'm told
Goes out every night until 2.00am

It's a family member, but I don't know how to approach the subject

Answer 1

I am a recovering alcoholic of 20 years sobriety. The questions a person should ask themselves are 1/ Is alcohol affecting my work
2/ or my relationships with family and friends. 3/Is it affecting my health.4/Do I drink in the morning.5/ when not drinking do I think about a drink a lot. 6/ Can I walk into a pub and have one drink and then leave and not have another for say two weeks. Try going into a pub again and just have one drink and walk away.7/ Can I do without a drink of alcohol for 6 months. If the person is an alcoholic he will have experienced all the negatives mentioned above. He also won't be able to stay dry for 6 months.
Alcoholics anonymous can help but if an alcoholic is told he must go-he will usually dig his heels in and not go at all. All one can do is SUGGEST AA. So there is a fellowship called Al-Anon for relatives and friends of alcoholics. They will help you.
It must be very worrying for you. I hope he asks for help soon. The telephone numbers are in the phone book. I wish you well.

Answer 2

Its dependancy on alcohol - no matter how small or large a quantity, so even if they are drinking a small amount the fact that they cant get through the day without that amount means they have a problem.

From the information you have given it sounds like they have a problem. Going out every day/night and drinking may just mean they are stuck in a rut with nothing else to do. However the other things - like drinking in the morning etc are a clear sign.

I drink a couple of glasses of wine each night, but I dont get edgy or upset if I dont have them, so while I may not be living the most healthy lifestyle, I am not dependant upon it.

Answer 3

You dont even have to drink large amounts to be an alcoholic. Your friend has got a drink problem and probably knows it. I think you are talking of a female? You have to find the reason for the addiction? thats your 1st approach? I have been through the mill with alcoholism, i still drink too much now but i'm not as bad as i was!! so i know what i'm talking about. Your friend needs to want to get help with the addiction but you could be banging your head against the wall here? I was forced into rehab as i had completely lost the plot and needed help and i knew it!! Alcoholics are amazing liars and will brush aside your concerns. Your quest will not be easy and i feel your friend doesn't feel the need for help yet?

Answer 4

all the drinking times you mentioned were almost normal. But the drinking of a bottle of wine when they get up really takes the biscuit, that proves they ARE an alcoholic. Furthermore drinking til 2am every night isn't the done thing either, three nights a week maybe as a maximum, 1 or 2 if you were health consiuos.

Answer 5

Given the info you've supplied... I would say the person you decribe is an alcoholic.

Drinking problems come in many different gises so not everyone fits the same profile. I live with someone who has a problem so I know how difficult it is to deal with.

How you tell them or approach the subject... thats even harder... I beleive the person would already know deep down but denial is something only they can deal with.

There's no magic fix... but it's sad watching somone destroy themselves.

The government harps on about the sins of smoking and junk food but appears to have forgotten the destruction of families and the violence in the community caused by alcohol.

Answer 6

Well now Stacky, take it from me that if someone gets up in the morning and drinks a bottle of wine before going to work, that person is a guarantied alcoholic, no doubt about it, but remember this, an alcoholic will always or most often deny that they are an alcoholic, good luck.

Answer 7

from the details u have given, i think it's quite safe to confirm that your relative is an alcoholic. my ex boyfriend was an alcoholic, and they become consumed by their need to drink..... it doesn't matter whether or not they are working, or if they are down to their last bit of money, they will always put drink first - i speak from 2 years of experience !!! i know u want to help, but unless this person is willing to accept help, and work on this problem, then there is nothing much u can do about it. does this person drive after having a drink ??? i know that this might sound like a drastic measure, but u could report them to the police. sometimes it takes a big shock like that for them to realise the seriousness of the situation ! it's being cruel to be kind. u could try visiting the alcoholics anonymous website, and ask them to send u some leaflets / information..... u could post them to this person, without telling them who they are from. i hope this helps.

Answer 8

Someone drinking that amount especially as soon as they get up, isn't necessarily an alcoholic but has issues with alcohol.

Its a very sensitive subject to talk about as some people are well aware they have a problem and dont like people telling them. However, they need help and support and someone to put them in the right direction.

I had a neighbour who was an alchohlic, but they only used to drink 2/3s a week (but drank from 10am onwards) She lived her live like this for over 10 years and had often threatened me & my family (me only being around 12 at the time, my sister around 6) violently and she regularly used to beat her husband up. It took her nearly 12 years to admit to HERSELF she had a problem and to actually do something about it.

Admitting it is one of the hardest parts, my suggestion is you sit them down (when sober!) explain to them that you are worried about their health (physical and mental) as you have noticed an increase in their alcohol intake. It may be they are drinking to relieve symptoms of stress and worry, ask them if they have any problems they want to talk about with, if not let them know your there incase they change their mind.

Unfortunetly, alcoholics can only help themselves, you cant force someone to give up!

good luck x

Answer 9

If literally any excuse is made for a drink, ie, its sunny out side, its not sunny outside, i've had a good day, had a bad day and so on and so on. someone with a problem will drink for any reason, regardless of consequence. However, establishing weather or not someone is an alcoholic or not is one thing, getting them to do something about it is another, they cant and wont change unless they see there own problem and want to change, and dont try to talk to them about it when they are drunk, it is a waste of time, catch them on a hangover. There is something called Al-Anon, which is for partners and close relatives of both active and nonactive alcoholics, there should be a number for them in your local press of phone book, they will be able to give you advice on an ongoing basis on how to cope with your drunk, and possibly get them into recovery.
Good luck.

Answer 10

I agree - defining alcoholism is difficult. But if drinking is affecting them or people around them in a negative way - then I define that as a problem which needs to be tackled - whether that means they are alcoholic or not is just a label.

They also seem to be well over the units of alcohol allowed per week so it will be having a negative effect on their bodies - let alone any mental. emotional and social fallout.

Check out alcohol related sources on NHS direct - link below.