Social Drinker, Alcohol Abuse, Or Alcoholic - Where Do You Fit In?

The majority of people who drink alcohol can do so with few or no problems. When problems do start occurring they can rapidly escalate. for these people the drinking problem is progressive, it gets progressively worse.

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Shortly we will look at the 3 categories of drinkers mentioned, but there is also a fourth which deserves mention, the people who are abstinent. In my years as an addictions therapist, I have not had anyone sway me from my convictions that if you don't want problems with alcohol, don't drink at all. Being a realist, I know that doesn't work for everyone so it is important to keep alert for potential problems.

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The Social Drinker:

A social drinker drinks occasionally, and when they do there are no problems or negative consequences. There are no real surprises as a result of having a drink. When they drink there are no complaints about behavior from friends and family. As an example there are no fights, nor extreme emotional mood swings.

A social drinker does not think about drinking often, it does not occupy their thoughts. Lastly, there is no loss of control or need to set limits when drinking; it just doesn't get that far.

The Alcohol Abuser:

An alcohol abuser is someone who has episodes of going to far with drinking; it can be frequent or just occasionally. This might be drinking when it could be physically hazardous, such as driving, or ending up in dangerous areas. A DUI is a common marker of alcohol abuse. The alcohol abuser starts to let obligations at work and home start to slip.

Drinking creeps in and occupies more and more thoughts and drinking is needed for its effect. At this point the drinkers' family and friends start to complain, but it is dealt with. Now there is a need to set limits on drinking, but they can be maintained. We have upped the ante from a social drinker, but at this point things are not always out of control.

Alcohol Addiction or the Alcoholic:

One aspect that is confusing for many is that alcohol addiction is not dependent on quantity or frequency of alcohol consumed. For example someone who drinks daily may or may not be addicted. Drinking 12 beers vs. 2 beers is not a necessarily a criteria for addiction. People with addiction generally show an inability to control or set limits and keep them. Drinking is occurring in larger amounts and taking up more time. Increasing tolerance for alcohol is an indicator, as well as having withdrawal effects when drinking stops.

At his point the drinker may want to stop or has tried to but not been successful. They continue to drink despite the problems and negative consequences that keep occurring. An example would be repeated DUI's or drinking when the doctor says it is hurting ones health. Important activities and roles are given up; the drinking becomes more important than family. Alcoholism is a disease of isolation, in order to keep drinking the user will push family and friends away. The sneaky thing about this phase is that it is characterized by denial. The drinker cannot honestly see that the problems occurring are a result of drinking.

And that will hopefully help clear up some differences in drinking behaviors. If you or someone you care about be be moving along the course of drinking outlined there is more information hand help available.

Social Drinker, Alcohol Abuse, Or Alcoholic - Where Do You Fit In?

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Alcoholic Vs Problem Drinker!

Drink alone cannot turn someone into an alcoholic if they don't have the mindset of a 'true' drunk. Someone exposed to, and participating in, daily drinking might well form a bad habit and develop a drink problem, but that doesn't mean they are, or will go on to become, a full blown alcoholic who is heavily addicted to ethyl alcohol.

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Someone with a drink problem may well identify their malady and do something about when the time is right.

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An alcoholic, on the other hand, denies he even has a drinking problem and may never do anything about it despite all the physical, emotional, and mental trauma it causes for him and those around him.

A person with a drink problem may be a well-adjusted individual whose life is fulfilled, balanced and functions perfectly well all apart from the drink issue.

The alcoholic's life is often one of imbalance, extreme behaviours and mood swings. He most likely has experienced a number of failed relationships, and has a pessimistic attitude and outlook on life in general.

The problem drinker will stop drinking, though begrudgingly, if a doctor instructs him to for the sake of his health and well being, or a partner threatens to leave him should he continue.

The alcoholic will shoot down any doctor's opinion ranting on about how he doesn't know what he's talking about. Many alcoholics drink until they die simply because they won't, or can't accept the help and advice of others. Full blown alcoholics will often choose the bottle over the spouse if given an ultimatum

As you can probably tell from the above, the alcoholic comes across as a self centered know-it-all. A person who's deep in denial, and has difficulty living a life on life's terms. Such a conclusion tells us that the alcoholic personality is egotistical to the extreme, and nothing or nobody will get in the way of their drinking no matter what! A lot of alcoholics tend to have a self destruct button, but sadly they often take victims with them as their life spirals downwards.

Most of us will most probably know of someone who has a drink problem, that being someone who drinks too much too often. And because one in 10 people in western societies are alcoholics, many of us will also know of someone who not consumes too much, but also displays some or all of the alcoholic characteristics above.

The really sad fact about so many alcoholics is that they themselves do not really want to be the way they are. They certainly don't intend to drag others down with them, but they can't seem to help themselves. It is highly unlikely that an alcoholic can stop drinking on his own, which is why there are support groups and fellowships everywhere set up specifically to help those who are ready to help themselves.

Quitting - Heavy Drinkers!

If you're a pretty popular person among your family and friends, and have a reasonably good lifestyle apart from the drinking issue, then you know what you have to do about it if it bothers you and your loved ones. Just like quitting smoking, it will take a bit of effort and withdrawal, but it can be done so long as you want it enough. Remember though, just because you drink too much now, doesn't automatically mean you're an alcoholic, so you may even have the luxury to moderate over time.

Quitting - Alcoholics!

Are you always drinking, or thinking about drinking in between sessions? Does your life seems to go from bad to worse no matter how hard you try to get on the right path? Is getting drunk more of a priority for you than getting dinner or making an appointment? Do you always seem to be in some kind of conflict with people, places, and things? Are you unhappy more often than not? And if you really think about it, do you suffer from shame, remorse, and guilt, whenever you reflect on your life or current behaviour? If you live for the juice and can relate to any of these questions, then there's a good chance you have more than just a drink problem. It's likely that you are an alcoholic, or at best, a borderline alcoholic.

There are Solutions - but you have to want them!

Alcoholics do get sober, and not only do they manage to plug the jug, but they also manage to stay stopped and go on to live a serene and purposeful life of sobriety. There are no magic solutions here, and it does require effort from the individual. Once they take ownership of their problem, then the foundation for recovery is set. When an alcoholic can finally come to accept that there is nothing, repeat nothing, in their life that a drink can make better, then the door to recovery has opened.

Alcoholic Vs Problem Drinker!

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