Originally Posted by
CollegeStudent 
Hi
I’m still not really willing to say “Wow I’m an alcoholic” because I’ve seen my Dad and it was really bad with him and when I even think I might have a problem I say “Well, I’m nothing like my Dad was.” And it feels like to have a problem I need to act like my Dad is, which is pretty stupid considering I never want to be that bad.
Not stupid at all . . . It's all part of figuring out who we are. As you've probably figured out by now, alcoholism doesn't fit any type of norm. . . . you can't define it by comparing yourself to someone else (your dad, for example). I found it more useful to listen to what others said and identify with what they said or had done. If I had to compare myself with someone who lost a job or had a dui in order to define myself as an alcoholic, I'd still be out there drinking.