When do you think that one should be classified as an alcoholic?

Answer 1

I think there are several kinds of alcoholics.

1. Can't have fun without alcohol.
2. Can't drink without getting completely wasted.
3. Can't function without alcohol.
4. Craves alcohol at inappropriate times - like at breakfast. On a work day.
5. Depends on alcohol to adjust moods or to fall asleep.
Dependence.

Answer 2

That is the toughest question for anyone who is an alcoholic.

I agree with other posts that there are many kinds of alcoholics in the world.

Some binge, some socialize, some maintain, some just are always drunk so you never know. Some just party, and are admired for it.

I think, a pretty fair test for an alcoholic is see if you can stop drinking for 2 weeks without a craving, and honestly look yourself in the mirror and say "I don't need alcohol for anything" then you may be okay. That doesn't mean you will be okay in the future.

Another question to ask is "Do I have addiction in my family tree?" If you are addicted to tobacco, or anything else, and/or your parents were alcoholics or addicted to any other substance, you are treading on thin ice and should be really careful with your consumption.

Another good thing to think about, and this is recent research, did you have your first drink when you were under the age of 18? If so, did you continue to drink after that moment on any kind of regular social basis? If you did, then you should consider not drinking at all. Most alcoholics started young and built those patterns that actually alter the brain chemistry.

Good luck. This is the most prolific disease in the world, but we never hear about it because it includes so many people in all walks of life. It's considered normal.

Answer 3

Look for changes in his or her drinking behavior.
Try to find out his or her reasons for drinking. And what is the impact of your friend's drinking on his or her relationships, studies and goals?
Your friend may not get drunk every night or even drink every night, but they still may have a drinking problem

If you're concerned about your friend's drinking habits, talk to them. Ask if they think they have a problem and continue to ask questions that encourage the person to be open with you, without giving "sermons" or lectures.

Keep an open mind about how they view their situation. Stop the discussion if you get upset or angry. Short discussions usually work best.
Once you have spoken to the person, they may say they do not have a problem, react defensively, or may agree that they have a problem with drinking.

If the person denies they have a drinking problem, you should still tell them how their drinking affects you. Explain that you're afraid they will get sick, pass out, or embarrass you both in social situations.
If they are defensive, make it clear that you dislike the problem, not them. The defensiveness is aimed at fear of seeing the problem, not you.
If they agree they have a problem, ask what makes them think they do. What do they think they can do about it? What will they do about it? What kind of support can you give them to help them stop drinking?

Above all, you should remain supportive of the person and their efforts to stop drinking. Be prepared for some steps back as well as forward.
Encourage non drinking behavior by planning activities not related to alcohol and curbing your own drinking when you are with your friend.
The drinker’s personal characteristics
* age decreases the rate of alcohol intoxication as the drinker gets older. That may be due to the maturity of the person or tolerance developed due to increased alcohol consumption.
* gender in general women are more and faster affected by alcohol.
* increased body weight increases the effect of alcohol on the body. So for two individuals with similar body compositions and different weights, the larger individual will achieve lower alcohol concentrations than the smaller one if ingesting the same amount of alcohol.

* increased fat content indicates less water in the body system, which as a result causes faster alcohol intoxication since there is less water for alcohol to dissolve in.
* physical (hormonal change) and emotional state (fatigue, stress) and body chemistry unpredictably affect absorption rate of alcohol.
Fatigue and stress cause many of the same symptoms that are caused by alcohol intoxication. These and other symptoms will be increased if alcohol intoxication is concurrent with fatigue.
* health status may increase the alcohol effects on the body if the drinker takes other drugs that are broken down in the liver, and if chronic liver disease is present (as it is in alcoholics).
* taking other drugs that interact with the effects of alcohol may also increase alcoholic intoxication.

Answer 4

When they knock the **** out of you...Alcohol is no joke dude...if you have a level of over 200 you can poison yourself...the blood in your body will be more harm than good....once you start drinking, your going to start getting a little tipsy with a rum and coke or hennessy, some corona or other kind of beer...so if you want to consume for than what your body can tolerate, sdrink up all you want... but getting the **** knocked out of you is no joke

Answer 5

When that person cannot relax or have a good time unless alcohol is involved. A couple of drinks after work is okay, but more than indicates a problem.

Answer 6

When your body becomes overwhelmed, or withdrawls with sieziers whem a person don't have the alcohol. When a person gets the shakes really bad unless they have that drink of hard liquor.

Answer 7

When they cannot put it down and leave it alone. When a person is compelled to drink again, no matter the situation, "occasion," or reason.... THEN they are an alcoholic.

Answer 8

A person is defined as an alcoholic when their drinking begins to interfere with other aspects of their life:work, relationships, kids, hobbies etc.

Answer 9

I'd say a good rule of thumb for the layman is if the drinking interferes with your work, or makes you violent or combatative, or if you cannot enjoy yourself socially without booze... but that's just my yardstick, ace.

Answer 10

When you start creating reasons to need a drink. Also, when your drinking starts to affect your personality.