Whats the difference.......?

Question

Whats the difference between an alcoholic and a man who tends to drink say once a week and gets drunk?

**This relates to a previous question**

Answer 1

an alcoholic needs alcohol to function, like you need oxygen.

the once a week drinker just abuses alcohol once a week, but may not have an addiction.

Answer 2

Nothing. And everything. What you are describing is binge drinking, a form of alcoholism, or a form of immaturity. Here's the thing, alcoholism is a psychological, and physical addiction to alcohol, most alcoholics drink everyday, and not necessarily alot. But binge drinkers thend to do it, you know, week-ends, and socially. It's almost more acceptable in our society, think college student drinking. But here's the thing with addiction, it's not about how much you do it, it's why. Can you stop if you want to? If you "need" to get drunk, and you aren't really enjoying it, or want to do it, that is addictive behaviour. I mean is he drinking once a week, an spending all the week's money? That as well is addictive behaviour. You know putting the drinking before what truly matters. That beig said: Who has a problem with this? Some people don't like others drinking or getting drunk at all, and cry "Alcoholic!" to control the situation. So, evalute how it is negatively affecting his life, and those around him, why he drinks, and how he feels about the drinking, and you will have your answer. Can he stop if he wants, or does he suffer from "detox", shaking, illness, withdrawl?

Answer 3

An alcoholic cannot be without alcohol. They wake up and drink, drink while eating, drink alone a lot, drink for no reason at all, drink for the hell of it. The drink alcohol like it's water.

And a person who drinks once a week and gets drunk is probably responsible. It shows they do not need it everyday. For instance, maybe it's their day off and it's their free time. I drink once a week and get drunk but I am not an alcoholic. I do not need to have it. An alcoholic has to have it. I drink once a week socially like when I go out to dinner with friends or when I go to a bar.

Answer 4

Frequency of drinking does not have as much to do with being an alcoholic as does how the person acts when he or she is drinking. If drinking makes that person do or say things they normally wouldn't or if it causes problems on the job, with finances, or with the law - then any amount might be too much for that kind of person. Binge drinking once a week can be more harmful than having a drink or two after work every day. If drinking is causing problems - than I would say they need to stop.

Answer 5

Ask him these questions

Answer yes or no to the following questions:

Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week or so, but it only lasted a couple of days?

Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking?

Have you ever switched from one kind of drink to another in hope that you wouldn't get drunk?

Have you had to have an eye-opener upon awakening during the past year?

Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?

Do you need a drink to get started, or to stop shaking?

Have you had problems connected with drinking during the past year?

Has your drinking caused trouble at home?

Do you ever try to get "extra" drinks at a party because you do not get enough?

Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking anytime you want to, but you don't stop?

Do you have "blackouts"?

Have you ever felt your life would be better if you didn't drink?

If you answered yes four or more times, you might be in some serious trouble.

Be honest with yourself, you have to live with your problem, but your friends and family are affected too.

There is help out there!

Answer 6

You don't have to drink daily to be an alcoholic. An alcoholic doesn't even have to get drunk. When the drinking interfers with the other aspects of their lives, that's when it becomes a problem. That's actually the diagnostic criteria for alcholism.

Answer 7

The man who drinks once a week to get drunk is an alcohol abuser.

Answer 8

Wah wah wah...so sick of hearing of using drugs and alcohol being labled abuse.

A man who drinks once a week to get drunk is using alcohol to relax and have a good time.

A man who needs alcohol, who acts in ways he normally wouldn't, who drinks frequently or every time he is stressed and who cannot quit drinking is an alcoholic.

There is nothing wrong with using drugs/alcohol in moderation. It becomes a problem when you become addicted or it interferes with your life and responsibilities.

Answer 9

If the person who drinks one a week drinks to get drunk then it's probably binge drinking.
An alcoholic drinks regularly and it affects the other parts of their lives in negative ways. It becomes and addictions. Their ability to stop drinking in inhibited because they have sever reactions while detoxing.

Answer 10

A person can have the symptoms of an alcoholic and only drink once every three or six months.
It's not how often they drink, it's how when they do drink, it's always too much.
Their personality changes too much also, and always for the worse.

Answer 11

If he can live without his once a week drunkfest then he's not an alcoholic. If he can't, then he is. Most alcoholics have something every day.

It sounds to me as though there are other issues here. Personally, I don't think he's an alcoholic. I think he's either avoiding something or trying to forget something.