why are you an alcoholic if you cut back on your drinking?

Question

there was a question about alcoholism earlier and someone answered that there was a four question test and if you answered yes to any of the questions, you should seek help. One of the questions was 'have you ever cut back on your drinking?'

Why would that be bad? Wouldn't it be worse to never reduce your drinking, to just increase it for years and years. I mean, if I drink a little more than usual for a few months, cutting back does not make me an alcoholic. I don't understand this.

Can anyone explain the logic of this thing to me?

people seem to equate not quitting with not being able to quit. if that's true, than everyone who drinks at all is an alcoholic. It still doesn't make sense.

also, why is everyone assuming I drink every day? You don't have to drink every day to cut back on your drinking. I drink once or twice a week, tops.

Answer 1

Alcoholism is really nothing to play around with. It's also a disease that is progressive---it takes some time to really develop into a chronic illness. The problem is, it's hiding in plain sight---liquor can be bought and consumed everywhere, and is now not only socially acceptable, it's about 99% required for adult social events. It's also much more serious for women than for men.
The fact that someone is drinking enough to have to "cut back" might show that the drinking is controlling them, and not the other way around.The fact that they "cut back" and don't stop drinking altogether might be the clue---they can't stop drinking altogether.

Answer 2

Yes I can explain it. When someone is cutting back on anything whether it be cigarettes, coffee, sugar etc. it means that they are personally admitting that there is a problem with the consumption of such. When a person is consuming alcohol on a daily basis it is clearly obvious that the person is over consuming and possibly causing interference with other daily activity such as employment, family, driving etc. Alcoholics are notorious denial experts such as this:
"I don't have a drinking problem. I drink, I fall down, NO PROBLEM"
Really you have to look at the reality of alcoholics who actually think that they can drive a vehicle and actually do then go out and kill innocent people including little children and unborn babies. So if you think that cutting back on your drinking is a good thing you better take a deeper look and realize that alcohol is one of the most insidious influences on the human race. Maybe you better take your question over to an AA meeting. Really!

I came back to add this; Alcoholics are Teachers, Police, Doctors, Scientists, Firemen, Lawyers, Politicians, Movie Stars, Handymen, Sales People, Everyone you meet. The stereotype bum on the street alcoholic in the farthest thing from reality. The prisons are full of people who drank and drove.

Answer 3

Normally, one doesn't cut back on anything unless one begins to believe he/she is abusing (over use) the product. If one believes he/she is using/abusing alcohol too much one might be considered to be an alcoholic.

The proof of the matter comes when the level of the "cut back" begins to go up again signifying a lack of complete control. Further, "cutting back" still may indicate that, while the intake is less, there is still the "need" to continue "using" the product.

Answer 4

People cut back when it's obvious they're drinking too much. The reason cutting back indicates a problem is because it doesn't last.

Answer 5

I agree. I do the same thing.

Answer 6

because you drink every day!!!