are there different levels of alcoholism, such as "slightly", "borderline", "extreme", etc?
2007-03-29 16:31:33 · 13 answers · asked by greatceasarsghost 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
Yes there are levels, but as far as relationships and life, it's all trouble. Being an alcoholic means you cannot do your daily life without copping a buzz.
2007-03-29 16:35:02 · answer #1 · answered by justbeingher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alcoholic's deny being one. Everyone has an amount of alcohol that they can handle. Some less than others and some more than others. Some cannot handle any. If you are drinking more than three drinks per day of any type of alcohol you are probably on the path to becoming alcohol dependant. This means that unless you drink a certain amount daily you cannot function, and when you drink more than that amount you can't function anyway. There are degrees, as there are many that can drink heavy everyday and still do what is expected for them to do, however, in the long run it will worsen and the alcohol wins. I've know people that go on drinking binges that last for weeks, then stop for awhile and then go on another. During these binges they do nothing but drink - sleep - drink and so forth. Most only sobber up because they are to sick to drink or go and get more. These type of people would be the extreme. Borderline people are people that drink heavy from time to time that generally don't have negative results from the drinking, but they also will cross over to extreme if they continue to drink. Alcoholism is a progressive disorder. Once an alcoholic always an alcoholic. Just don't drink more than a couple or three drinks ever and never everyday. Some warning signs are when you miss work or are late. Get a DUI, have problems with your spouse, tend to be aggitated easlily, or just sorta become withdrawn from normal day to day life. Looking for a special occasion to justify drinking is also an indicator. It is raining, it's my birthday, it's a ball game, it's a holiday, it's Friday night, it's Saturday, it's Sunday. "Then it becomes anything."
2007-04-02 14:53:35 · answer #2 · answered by H. A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you are just curious, if you have to ask yourself this question, chances are that you are at least having some problems controlling your drinking and/or your behavior while under the influence. You might want to consider reading the first three chapters out of Alcoholics Anonymous, better know as the "Big-Book." [Respectively these chapters are (1) Bill's Story (2) There is a Solution and (3) More about Alcoholism.]
Do a web search of AA's Big Book on line if you're interested in doing this reading.
2007-03-29 23:50:39 · answer #3 · answered by soulguy85 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have a major sweet tooth?
Physiologically, one component is that a person's body becomes accustomed to running on the simple sugars that alcohol (and other foods) contains. This happens on a cellular level; that is, instead of you body being willing to take the time the to break down complex sugars (ie: starches), it only becomes willing to process simple sugars. Hence, the reason for a loss of appetite.
The other main component is that the drinker transitions from "drinking to feel good" to "drinking to stop feeling bad".
This, of course, is a major over-simplification of alcoholism. If you want to know more, try the book, "Under the Influence" - it's the bible of alcoholism.
2007-03-30 02:19:59 · answer #4 · answered by Kelsey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An alcoholic is someone that needs to drink on a daily basis to the extreme. Meaning that you need to drink to get rid of the shakes to drink your coffee in the morning. You can't eat until you drink an alcoholic beverage. There are no levels. There are warning signs..you are asking!
2007-03-29 23:47:45 · answer #5 · answered by alicia o 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I started getting the shakes and drinking daily. I needed to go through re-hab to quit. It snuck up on me, it's sinister. Been sober three years and don't miss it. I suppose you are an alcoholic whenever you crave alcohol. A little test. Try not drinking on a day you really want to. If you talk yourself into drinking, you're probably an alcoholic.
2007-03-30 00:24:06 · answer #6 · answered by Agent Orange 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you either are an alcoholic or your not. now there is functional and non-functional. some people can get up and go to work and even drink at work. others just stay home and drink till they pass out. sometimes you can't even tell when an alcoholic is drunk. they are that good! it's bad to have this disease, it hurts to see the ones you love killing themselves slowly.
2007-03-30 00:26:00 · answer #7 · answered by dee dee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say functional and non-functional. Neither one is better than the other, nor is slightly, borderline, or extreme. If it affects your life and those in it negatively, it's a problem.
2007-03-29 23:34:53 · answer #8 · answered by LetMeBe 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you drink everyday then you are an alcoholic, and if you are drunk all the time then you are an extreme alcoholic !
2007-03-30 00:27:26 · answer #9 · answered by Midnights snow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, at the beginning for some.
But if it causes a problem in your life then its time to take a good long look whether its you or someone else. It is like being abused, it always gets worse.
2007-03-29 23:40:18 · answer #10 · answered by lectric lady 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋