What constitutes an alcoholic?

[ckelly78z]

I have a freind who always seems to have a beer in his hand if he isn't at work. He offers me one if we are doing something together, but honestly, it wouldn't have occured to me to drink a beer at that time for any reason. He also fixes a JD/coke to go to ball games, or outdoor things.

I generally have a beer (possibly two) with dinner about 2-3 nights a week, but never think about having one or three just for refreshment, it just doesn't sound better to me than clean water with lots of ice in it, on a hot day.

I think if you need that first beer after work, or can't seem to say no, you might be an alcoholic. I know several guys who start drinking in the work parking lot on their way home, and don't quit until they pass out asleep watching TV, that is no life, and their families suffer for it.

[cabmandone]

If you have to choose a day to go without a drink.... you're probably an alcoholic.
Now me, I always say if you "need a beer" you're an alcoholic. That's why I always just want one.
On a serious note, 8-12 a day... not good. You'll kill yourself. I have seen too many of my relatives do it. Stop if you can. You'll thank yourself for it.

[cairns]

I prefer to refer to myself as a 'lush'. Sounds much better.

I drink too much, but I consider it a bad habit like eating too much. I hate being 'drunk'. I like to nurse 3-4 glasses of wine from the time I get home until I got to bed. No problem stopping when I want. I do stop occasionally (typically Jan/Feb) just too lose weight.

I pretty much do the same. But with rum and coke (less drinks because they're stronger). I like drinking but I hate to wake up feeling hung over. So I stop when I know that's the limit.

[Gogar]

You know the answer. Good for you for asking.

When you drink every day you get to telling yourself that you feel fine. Your body knows different, and if you can stop for a few days and then a week and then a month you might be surprised what "normal" is actually supposed to feel like. Easier said than done, of course.

[Don Ro]

The last several years of my business (2006 - 2008) I would drink a bottle of wine/night...don't remember why wine as I don't really like the taste of it.
But business stress and how to bolster my future financial security was a big concern for me at the time.
What I can share about those days was that I became frightened that I could not believe/trust myself when, each morning after and feeling terrible, I'd tell myself that I would stop..."I can't continue like this."...and then that night I'd be drunk again.
That terrifying awareness of my unwillingness to keep my agreement with myself caused me to eventually stop. If I could not believe/trust and take care of myself, who would, scared me to death. As the say in AA, "It's an inside job."

Oh, and I became aware of the negative impact on one's liver - and entire body, in general.
I rarely drink anything any more...last time was a month ago...one Vodka/Tonic w/lime. These days I love waking up in the morning w/o that groggy feeling.

God save us all.

[Por_sha911]

https://www.ncadd.org/get-help/take-the-test/am-i-alcoholic-self-test

The toughest one to recognize is a "functional alcoholic".
Never miss work.
Always pay the bills.
Successful.
The life of the party.

BUT, always drinks at a certain day, time or event (like a party) and cannot chose to not drink during those times. Claims just doesn't "want to" but in actuality has no control over the choice.

[p911dad]

I think one of the cardinal signs of alcoholism is anticipation, that is, daily thinking ahead about when you can get that first drink, whatever it may be. It could be just a thought or an actual physical craving. In that way drinking controls your life, just like cigarettes do for many people. If you have to have a drink, no matter how you dress it up, you are likely an alcoholic.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by Craig T

I know I'm at risk, because about 4:30pm I start watching the clock in anticipation of 6:00pm.

Craig: you are not at risk you are a text book alcoholic. Just because you are functional doesn't mean you don't have an addiction. You know you need to fix it. Do whatever it takes.

Bob: You have a major victory in that you have gotten honest with yourself. Sometimes the biggest hindrance to getting free from addiction is simply understanding and admitting you have a problem.

You guys can beat this. It just takes time. I haven't had one drink or drug since spring of 1982 but I didn't get here all at once. One step at a time. One day at a time.

[Dixie]

Does it interfere with your life and relationships? If so, then yes, but also be aware the intentions of others.

My ex filed for divorce claiming I was an alcoholic. She did her best to ensure I met this criteria by pouring copious quantities of gin down the drain. Other days she'd greet me with a drink, then send me to drop my son off at Cub Scouts. Turns out those were the days she'd call and reported me for DUI before I left the house.

My point is this: Be introspective. Also be cautious.

[tabs]

Kessler or Old Taylor shall never pass these lips.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Craig: you are not at risk you are a text book alcoholic.

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by Capt. Carrera

Does it interfere with your life and relationships?

That's the rub. If you only understand your life and relationships through 8-12 beers a day, then the answer is no. In fact, it's the converse. Your life and relationships seem wrong when not viewed through 8-12 beers a day.

Take a week off. Take a month off. Reassess. Not easy.

[Scott R]

^^ Rockstar advice, take it!

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Craig: you are not at risk you are a text book alcoholic. Just because you are functional doesn't mean you don't have an addiction. You know you need to fix it. Do whatever it takes.

Bob: You have a major victory in that you have gotten honest with yourself. Sometimes the biggest hindrance to getting free from addiction is simply understanding and admitting you have a problem.

You guys can beat this. It just takes time. I haven't had one drink or drug since spring of 1982 but I didn't get here all at once. One step at a time. One day at a time.

The one constant in life?...Recovering alcoholics are always the most judgmental.

Just to show I respect your advice...I waited until 6:30 and broke out the Macallan 18. I usually measure out my 1.5 oz. Unfortunately, I realized that makes me an alcoholic, so I didn't measure it this time. I'm feeling much better about myself now.

You remind me of a friend. He landed a couple DUI's, wife left him, almost lost his business. He started drinking in the morning and drank until he passed out every night. He's been in AA for 15 years now. If you have a beer after 18 holes of golf, you're instantly a raving alcoholic. He has zero tolerance, but like Shakespeare said..."The lady doth protest too much, methinks?" He has to do that, because he knows he's just one approval away from a six bourbon night.

[Por_sha911]

Drinking does not make you an alcoholic. Getting drunk once in a while doesn't either.

watching the clock in anticipation of 6:00pm.

is textbook but hey, its your life and I wish you well.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Drinking does not make you an alcoholic. Getting drunk once in a while doesn't either.

is textbook but hey, its your life and I wish you well.

LOL! Luckily, so far, my two shot glass of scotch every evening hasn't gotten me into to much trouble. Although, I understand, at 56 my life could come crumbling down at any moment.

Is it possible that 6pm also signifies the end of my work day, and the 6pm cocktail is symbolic of the time to relax and unwind from the stresses of complex business processes.?

[Por_sha911]

I have a feeling you won't accept my answer. Have you ever heard the old schoolyard retort "it takes one to know one"?
Do a search on the signs of alcohol abuse (CAGE). This is just one tool to measure your status but remember that functional alcoholism is still an addiction. The need to drink in order to relax or, the preoccupation/ anticipation of drinking are huge warning signs of mental or emotional dependence. With chemical drugs they call it addiction.

There are several screening tools that help with determining whether someone has alcoholism. One tool is known as CAGE – a questionnaire that measures the severity of a drinking problem. If you answer “yes” to two or more CAGE questions, you should seek professional medical assistance.

The four CAGE screening questions are:

Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get over a hangover?

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

I have a feeling you won't accept my answer. Have you ever heard the old schoolyard retort "it takes one to know one"?
Do a search on the signs of alcohol abuse (CAGE). This is just one tool to measure your status but remember that functional alcoholism is still an addiction. The need to drink in order to relax or, the preoccupation/ anticipation of drinking are huge warning signs of mental or emotional dependence. With chemical drugs they call it addiction.

The four CAGE screening questions are:

Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get over a hangover?

OH S#!T!!! "No" to the last three, but I'm 3 pound above my fighting weight, so #1 is a YES

My name is Craig T and I'm an alcoholic

[pwd72s]

I won't say my life got better when I quit drinking, but it sure didn't get any worse. I quit with my diabetes diagnosis...lots of carbs in booze. That, and I was kidding myself...I did like it too much.

On 2nd thought, maybe life is better...I don't make as many bad decisions, and I have absolutely no worries that I'll get ticketed for DUI.

Also, I can't really think of anything positive happening to me because I'd had a few...

[KFC911]

Good luck Bob! I was a big beer drinker for several decades....mostly weekends and rock/blues shows, and back in the day, EVERY single one of my friends was probably an alcoholc....we could consume massive quantities....and did . Work hard, play hard...
Drugs, sex & rock'n- roll....lots of cliches too...

Never had hangovers (didn't help me control it...hell, I didn't want too ), more mornings than I can recall where I didn't have a clue what had transpired the night before....

Then I simply decided I wasn't gonna be that guy anymore about 6-7 years ago...
and for the most part, I haven't been....so you too can change. Do I miss those daze...hell yes, I had a blast, and would probably do it again if I was several decades younger...but I'm not, and will never go back....

Figure out a way that works and is effective for you if you really want to change Bob....many of us have....you can too

Best of luck!!!