At what point do you consider a person an alcoholic?

Like if you’re a social drinker and never drink alone, how often would a person drink before they are considered an alcoholic?


14 Responses

  1. Amanda P says:

    If it’s interfering with your lifestyle in a negative way, as in impacting your work or friendships, or you can’t have “fun” without including a kegger, I think you have a problem.

  2. SWEETNESS says:

    Some one who has to drink to either-get through the day, or be social. Also if one drinks specifically to get drunk-they may have a problem. You can have a drink everyday and not have a problem-its the reasone for one drinking and the consequences because of one’s drinking habits.

  3. tone says:

    a person who must drink everyday

  4. thesunwasshiningonthesea says:

    Pretty much, you consistenly get drunk. You may only drink on the weekends, but when you drink you can’t stop.

  5. Jimberly says:

    If they drink regularly, they would be an alcoholic, even if it’s once a week. This is because they will have trouble quitting drinking beer, which is what defines an alcoholic.

    IF they drink occassionally like at some parties, they’re NOT an alcoholic.

  6. J.Fig says:

    if they’re CONSTANTLY drunk or acting drunk

  7. bobowness says:

    when ever drinking becomes problematic… like if you loose your job… become violent. effet relationships… things of that sort

  8. ninja101 says:

    When they get addicted to alcohol to the point where they have to drink it everyday. They might also focus more on alcohol than people

  9. barrelchaser says:

    if your questioning it then your close enough try to go out socially and not drink

  10. Bored says:

    To answer your specific question, you would consider a person an alcoholic when they start going to meetings. For example; it is illegal to sell alcohol to a known alcoholic, because they are going to meetings to get off the drug.

    To answer what I know you really want to know, you should consider a person addicted to alcohol when they spend the majority of the time getting drunk; often drink alone; is the only person drunk around a group; can’t stop at just one drink without having more; drinks more than intended; and/or constantly gets in trouble (with the law, their social life, etc.) due to alcohol, yet continues to drink even though it is having a negative impact on their life.

    BERT, what you described is someone who uses alcohol for self medication. They probably have anxiety problems and are not able to socialize with ease when sober, so they use alcohol as the means to relax and let loose in social settings. It is true that this type of behavior may cause addiction to the drug later on in life, but it is not addiction in itself. If I have misinterpreted what you have said, please let me know.

  11. Sunshine sexy says:

    When they can drink a 30 pack an still be doing good, in wlaking that is lol. and drinks everyday i suppose, kinda like when they think thye really do need it

  12. BERT says:

    I cannot say for certain when a person has crossed the line of alcoholism, but in my opinion, if you can’t socialize without drinking, you have a serious problem. I see people like this all the time. Most people probably don’t think of it the same as I do. But if I was incapable of having a good time, relaxing or just being in a group without alcohol being involved, it would send up red flags.Of course anyone who drinks everyday is an alcoholic, but in my opinion it doesn’t have to be that often for you to have a serious problem.

    To Bored, I don’t think you misunderstood. I think what you said is exactly the truth. That’s my point. Such a person is probably headed toward an addiction. They are using alcohol the same way a drug addict uses drugs.

  13. mScAt3y3z says:

    when he needs to drink

  14. Mona Lisa says:

    Well, I once heard it said that a normal drinker never wonders if they are an alcoholic…so if you have to ask the question, it may well be that you’ve already got your answer.

© Effective Drug Rehabilitation
CyberChimps