When does someone become an alcoholic?

Question

Obviously if someone drinks every day and night and gets blackout they are an alcoholic. What if someone has 2 drinks every night? Or 1 drink at lunch everyday? When do they classify as an alcoholic?

Chazmatazz269 · Accepted Answer

Alcoholism is a condition characterized by two behaviors generally, each can present separately but together they manifest worst case scenarios that most people think of as “alcoholic”. First and most common in the US is alcohol abuse, characterized by underage drinking, drunkenness, “social” drinking under peer pressure, combining alcohol with other drugs to compound effects, etc.
Second is chemical dependency, the physical and mental need to drink every day. Quitting can be life threatening without medical supervision.
Many misunderstandings surrounding alcoholism result in people who need it not getting the help they need. I would strongly recommend anyone who thinks they MIGHT have an issue go to a couple of open AA meetings and/or Alanon meetings. If you hear something that resounds, speak up. There’s decades of experience and insight inside those rooms.

BigschlongEnergy · Accepted Answer

Alcoholics Get Symptoms If they don’t Get a Drink 🥃 delirium is one of the symptoms
Shaking, confusion, high blood pressure, fever, and hallucinations are some symptoms. People may experience:Whole body: sweating, fever, or water-electrolyte imbalanceBehavioral: restlessness or irritabilityPsychological: delirium or hallucinationAlso common: fast heart rate, physical substance dependence, tremor, anxiety, dilated pupil, insomnia, seizures, or shallow breathingIf ya Quit Cold Turkey Ya Could die.

suzzieQ · Accepted Answer

Symptoms include a strong need or urge to use alcohol. Those with alcohol use disorder may have problems controlling their drinking, continue to use alcohol even when it causes problems, or have withdrawal symptoms when they rapidly decrease or stop drinking.

Knoxmandz19 · Accepted Answer

I wouldve thought the same way if you drink everyday or 3 times a day then your an alcoholic

ArrowheadSW · Answer

There are various definitions. It depends how strict of a definition you hear. When I was in college there was a survey with about maybe 10-15 questions. At the end of the survey, they said that if you answered "yes" to any question, you were an alcoholic. The teacher in that class said that was way to strict in his opinion and maybe if you answered "yes" to several. One question was "do you drink alone"... Well I live alone and I often have a few drinks in the evening.

I've talked to hard core alcoholics and they say that if someone is the type to drink without control and to the point of passing out, and to drink on days off all day and into the night... Then that is basically how they define it.

RavVid · Answer

More to do with alcohol free days I think. If you drink everyday or just on weekends is different.

More importantly can you not drink? If you run out is it off to the store for more?

The medical profession is happy to call anybody an alcoholic now. Until recently there were different amounts for men and women because men metabolize faster and have more body mass.

However that was too unPC. How could it possibly be that it was ok for a man to a glass or two more than a girl? So it was downgraded for men to the max for girls.

To a large degree they make it up as they go.

Iamheere4u · Answer

Well, I think a good word to use here is the Greek word ἀσωτία (debauchery.) It means "in excess." Adressed in an ancient letter to a group of people in Asia minor, this word was used in the context of being " drunk with wine. "Instead," the author admonishes, "... be filled with the Spirit." If someone is so drunk that they are compromising morals and unaware of surroundings, and that is happening on a regular basis without any will or ability to stop, then they are an alcoholic. They should seek help in a local addiction support group, and pray for healing from this terrible addiction.

FireGodGoesSeeknFire · Answer

At two drinks a day for years they likely have developed alcohol dependency, but not necessarily alcohol abuse.

Either can exist without the other. Doctors tend to mean the first when they say "alcoholic." Layman tend to mean the second.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

Attention! There are several types of alcoholics, if I remember correctly, four of five main types. And the habitual drinker (with your scenario) is one of them!

nolabels · Answer

The answer to that is different for each individual. It can as simple or complex as you might wish to make it.

ManOnFire · Answer

It's not so much about them drinking to the point of being literally 'hammered' or passing out, but if they're drinking to that degree very often.

mrkdvsn · Answer

From what I've heard, either when they are born, or never. Alcoholics may never find out they are, if they never drink an alcoholic beverage

BJP21 · Answer

When it becomes disruptive in your daily life and relationship.

Sparkie460 · Answer

Can you stop drinking without suffering from withdrawal

jamesgoldman · Answer

When they NEED a drink rather than want one

User3191989 · Answer

They're getting people killed

eagle1951 · Answer

when they are always drinking

When does someone become an alcoholic?

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