What Do You Consider "Alcoholism" - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

polak · 12-01-2012, 07:29 PM

So here I am, laying the groundwork for another night of drinking and I think it's a very good time to ask this question.

Everyone seems to have a different definition of "Alcoholism". Some consider someone an Alcoholic when they have an uncontrollable need to drink, where they can't get by without having a drink. Others simply rely on quantity, characterizing it by if you drink a certain amount of times in a week, month, year etc... So what about you?

I personally drink (to get drunk) once or twice a week on average which seems like a lot but I also never drink alone. Not even a beer. So if you were to look at the amount I drink, you'd probably say that I have some sort of problem but if you consider the fact that I never drink alone then it's pretty obvious that I'm no where close to having a "need" to get drunk. If a weekend passes me by and I don't get drunk then I don't get some sort of craving or anything like that.

So what do you think? Whats your definition and where do you place yourself?

(if it makes a difference I'm 23)

CaptainCrunch · 12-01-2012, 07:32 PM

A compulsion or need to drink, it doesn't matter if you drink alone or drink in groups.

Thinking about having a drink in stressful situations maybe.

There are alcoholics who don't get blitzed every night, they might have one or two drinks, but they don't sleep well or function well if they don't have a couple of drinks.

Or have a compulsion to drink to excess in the bar even with friends in a social setting.

I don't think that getting drunk once a week is a sign of alchoholism, its signs of being young. Twice a week is probably not going to do your health any favors down the road.

Try going a couple of weeks without going out and see what you feel like, that will be a tell tale

jayswin · 12-01-2012, 07:34 PM

I consider alcohalism to be anything more than I drink in a night/week.

Table 5 · 12-01-2012, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polak

I personally drink (to get drunk) once or twice a week on average which seems like a lot but I also never drink alone. Not even a beer.

That's pretty pathetic for someone who calls themselves a Polak.

afc wimbledon · 12-01-2012, 07:40 PM

Alcoholism is defined by a physical need to drink, delerium tremours shacky hands etc.

That though is irrelevant, the real question is do you have a drinking problem?

You may only drink once a year but if everytime you do you end up getting so utterly ####tered that you end up running naked through the bar, telling your boss to eff off driving home on the wrong side off the road or beating your wife and ending up in jail or some other variation then you have a drinking problem and need to address it.

if you measure this by how often or how much you drink you are missing the point, it is a question of how does alcohol negatively impact your life that counts.

Kybosh · 12-01-2012, 07:43 PM

Drinking alone or not isn't a very good indicator for alcoholism in my opinion. I've known plenty of people, who I would consider alcoholics, who would justify it because it was incredibly easy to find people to drink with. See if you can go out tonight and not drink as a test.

All that being said, you're just doing what a lot of regular 23 year old do. Get back to me when you turn thirty. I have a hard time recovering after a few drinks now...

CaptainCrunch · 12-01-2012, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

Alcoholism is defined by a physical need to drink, delerium tremours shacky hands etc.

That though is irrelevant, the real question is do you have a drinking problem?

You may only drink once a year but if everytime you do you end up getting so utterly ####tered that you end up running naked through the bar, telling your boss to eff off driving home on the wrong side off the road or beating your wife and ending up in jail or some other variation then you have a drinking problem and need to address it.

I don't know if I agree with that definition, what your talking about is severe alcoholism as opposed to initial or even functional alcoholism. I agree with you that a big part of the definition of alcoholism is a need to drink. But usually by the time you hit DT's and other physical symptoms your more of a debilitated alcoholic.

I know alcoholics as well that don't need to get all the way sh$tfaced when they drink, but they do need to drink even if its only a couple of drinks a night.

nik- · 12-01-2012, 07:48 PM

I thought that I was an alcoholic once. Then I realized that I don't really enjoy social drinking, I like to get drunk when I drink. However, I've gone months without drinking without a problem.

Maybe I am an alcoholic

polak · 12-01-2012, 08:02 PM

lol well clubs are pretty annoying to me when I'm sober so I don't think I could go out to a club and not drink.

I think I'm pretty good at handling myself when I drink. I don't drink and drive, I don't tend to do stuff that I regret very often (ex. I've been in a relationship since I turned 18 and I've never cheated or anything like that) and I just don't get out of control like I've seen others do. Even when I'm obliterated I usually have pretty good control of myself. I can be passing out but I'll know to wait until I get outside or to a toilet to puke, I know to call a cab, I know to pay for it etc...

I do think that I have bad will power with the stuff though. Like I said, I couldn't go to a club and not drink. If I want to make sure I don't drink on a weekend, then I have to make sure I don't put myself in a situation where there will be drinking or I'm likely to cave. This only happens if I don't have a serious commitment the next day which would be really hard to get through hungover (Waking up early, mainly) and I don't seem to have any issue saying no to drinking on a weekday.

Just to be clear, I don't consider myself to be an alcoholic and I do understand the health impacts of my choices.

Mike F · 12-01-2012, 08:30 PM

I think whenever you start drinking because you feel like you need to (psychologically, not necessarily physically) you likely have a problem. Put whatever definition on that you like.

FLAMESRULE · 12-01-2012, 08:38 PM

From someone who's stopped drinking here are a few signs...I wasnt physically addicted to booze (alcoholism), but I definitely had a problem with it (alcoholic).
1 - Does drinking affect your relationships?
2 - Does drinking affect your job?
3 - Does drinking change who you are when you're drunk (eg. get in fights / mean)
4 - Do you drink alone + get tipsy / loaded
5 - Do you drink to get drunk?

I use to drink alone, with buddies, etc. and it was definitely affecting relationships, my job, and my health. For me it was actually quite liberating to stop. Been 2-1/2 years and I still crave the sauce sometimes (like this weekend at the Grey Cup!!). But I just let loose, cut a mean rug, and still have a great time. Not to mention I save a FORTUNE!!

DownhillGoat · 12-01-2012, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLAMESRULE

3 - Does drinking change who you are when you're drunk (eg. get in fights / mean)

I fail to see how that's a sign. I have yet to meet anyone who's exactly the same person sober/drunk. If they are they're probably a huge delta bravo when sober...

Daradon · 12-01-2012, 09:12 PM

Like Captain Crunch and FLAMESRULE I look at that question in terms of if it's affecting your life.

Is it affecting your job, is it affecting your relationships, is it causing problems like getting into fights, getting sick, driving drunk, spending more than you'd like etc.?

Sure we've all done one or two dumb things while drunk, that's part of growing up and even enjoying life. But usually it's fairly easy to be honest to yourself and see if it's happening more than you'd like.

Focusing on quantities may not be the best answer, though larger quantities usually go hand in hand with problems.

As far as binge drinking goes, we all know it's bad for you, but it is something young adults do. If everything else in your life is in order and it's not affecting things, it may not be a problem. I think though if your in your thirties and it's still happening more than the odd beach party or Christmas/New Years get together, it's probably too much.

As a few have said though, even one drink can be bad if it's causing you to do things you don't wish to do or causes you stress later. If you're waking up in the morning with that feeling of dread or illness that's probably a good sign it's time to cut back or stop no matter if you had 2 or 12.

To Be Quite Honest · 12-01-2012, 10:36 PM

I edit better with a beer inside me!

That being said I would have to say that if you find old Al controlling and ruining your life then you have a problem no matter how much you drink. Alcoholism isn't defined as having to pour whiskey over your corn flakes to get you going in the morning but it's a good sign that your in need of help!

ben voyonsdonc · 12-01-2012, 10:45 PM

My definition of a drinking problem is this: if you need to find an excuse to drink, then you might have a drinking problem.

JonDuke · 12-01-2012, 10:49 PM

When my wife and I first met, we split a 15 pack every single night of the week (unless she was out of town for work). That was alcoholism. Kids quickly (for us at least) cured that problem. Our oldest is 3 and we rarely if ever buy beer for home consumption. I'm a polak as well, but never drink to get drunk anymore. I just drink because absolutely love the taste of a cold beer.

KOgear · 12-01-2012, 10:56 PM

You are polish, you're supposed to drink that much.

JohnnyB · 12-01-2012, 11:05 PM

I find I just have more fun in any social situation when I'm drunk. That is, in a sense, an alcohol dependency.
I'm taking 6 months off of non-professional drinking and am doing fine now though, I just find socializing less fun. Mornings and afternoons are more fun.

I've little doubt that the excesses of my drinking earlier in life would be considered pretty over the top by many, and my health has paid a price that puts physical limits on my drinking now too. I'm also just much more discerning and drink more for the pleasure of consumption now than I do for the outcome of consumption.

JonDuke · 12-01-2012, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KOgear

You are polish, you're supposed to drink that much.

I remember being a teen and helping an older relative move. When we moved the mattress, there was a small fortune in empty vodka bottles under there. Polish people, in my family at least, are vodka drinkers. I'm the only beer person in my family.

V · 12-01-2012, 11:07 PM

I don't know if I have a drinking problem, but I do know that if I have alcohol in the house I can't not have a few beers at night. I can go forever without drinking if there's no alcohol in the house, so it's not like I have a problem that affects my life, but I definitely have an issue with self control and alcohol.

It's the only reason I don't make my own wine anymore. I love drinking wine, but when I have bottles at home I drink every single night.