Your opinions please -

Do you think if someone drinks every single day they are an alcoholic?




(a debate two people had at work today regarding the above topic got me wondering what the masses think)

Re: Your opinions please -

I do not think that they are

Re: Your opinions please -

yes, by definition, they are an alcoholic:

Alcoholic: A person who drinks alcoholic substances habitually and to excess or who suffers from alcoholism.

Re: Your opinions please -

Re: Your opinions please -

I don't think so.

My husband enjoys a beer with his dinner. He doesn't get drunk. He doesn't continue to drink the rest of the night.

If he came home and tied a buzz on every night, that would be a problem to me.

Re: Your opinions please -

Re: Your opinions please -

No, in order to be an alcoholic, it has to negatively interfere with your job and relationships. Alcoholics have to have a drink, they have a physical and emotional dependency on alcohol.

My DH and I usually have a glass of wine or a beer with dinner almost every night. This does not make us alcoholics because we could stop drinking at anytime without craving it. Also, this does not cause us to alienate people we are close with, get in trouble with our job etc, which are all things that are hallmarks of being an alcoholic.

Re: Your opinions please -

I think alcoholism is more of a dependence on alcohol. Someone who relies on the alcohol to be there for them is an alcoholic to me. A beer with dinner, as a pp said, is not alcoholism IMO.

Re: Your opinions please -

No - as long as you can maintain your responsibilities and not hurt anyone (or yourself).

Re: Your opinions please -

Re: Your opinions please -

Message edited 11/16/2011 7:50:55 PM.

Re: Your opinions please -

no...depends on how much they drink and if it interferes with their life.

Many people drink wine every night and are not alcoholics and same for men beer drinkers IMO.

Re: Your opinions please -

I don't think one drink at the end of the day makes you an alcoholic. I know people that once they start, they have to have 5 or 6 beers and that causes me concern.

Re: Your opinions please -

so then does it become a question of - can i go a day without it? vs. if i drink daily? meaning, drinking daily isn't the issue - not being able to go a day w/o drinking is the issue? but, how can you know the people who can't stop from those that can??

Re: Your opinions please -

No, many people have a glass of wine at night, or a beer when they get home. An alcoholic is not in control and drinking has a negative effect on their lives.

Re: Your opinions please -

From Wikipedia-

Journal of the american medical association definition-
"a primary, chronic disease characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking"

DSM-IV defition- used by pschyiatrists

"...maladaptive alcohol use with clinically significant impairment as manifested by at least three of the following within any one-year period: tolerance; withdrawal; taken in greater amounts or over longer time course than intended; desire or unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control use; great deal of time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from use; social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced; continued use despite knowledge of physical or psychological sequelae."

Screening quiz:
Two "yes" responses indicate that the respondent should be investigated further. The questionnaire asks the following questions:

Have you ever felt you needed to Cut down on your drinking?
Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking?
Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?[

Re: Your opinions please -

Posted by DaniRella

Is that the case?

Hmm - I know quite a few alcoholics - that admit they are alcoholics and are in treatment - and they were always functioning alcoholics - meaning, their relationships were OK and their job/career was fine too.

IDK either way - I can see both sides of it - I am just curious - I know people who - well, it's like they can't NOT drink - every single day - regardless of how much - it's like they need it - but who knows? Maybe it just seems like a lot to me because I don't drink so often? Well, in any event two coworkers were discussing this and it really got me thinking about some of the people I know who I've *NEVER* seen without a drink.

Re: Your opinions please -

Re: Your opinions please -

this is all very informative - and interesting.

thanks! this is why i came here

Re: Your opinions please -

Posted by DaniRella

so then does it become a question of - can i go a day without it? vs. if i drink daily? meaning, drinking daily isn't the issue - not being able to go a day w/o drinking is the issue? but, how can you know the people who can't stop from those that can??

Re: Your opinions please -

Re: Your opinions please -

My opinion is yes. I am not going to try and cite sources or really give an explanation. It is simply my opinion. I don't think there is a reason to have a drink every day.

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No. My mom has one glass of red wine every night as she sits in her recliner, reads a magazine and unwinds. She is by no means an alcoholic.

Re: Your opinions please -

Dang...then my husband and I are considered alcoholics...

I have wine every single night (M-Th) w/dinner, and he has a beer.

On the weekends...well...a bottle of wine between dinner and if we're out with friends....

Re: Your opinions please -

i think if you drink everyday but have like a glass of wine with dinner --- then no you're not an alcoholic.

i think to be an alcoholic it has to effect your life in more ways than one--you have to be dependent on it---mentally, physicall, and emotionally. it affects your work---your everyday life and relationships---it gets to a point where you are hiding your drinking or lying about it.

i think its a case of moderation and whether you can put it down and not have the urge to pick up again.