A clinical diagnosis - Situational Drinker
Hope this helps. It's not a sob story just bear with me.
In 1989 I had a below-knee amputation, I drank and drank and drank. I was hospitalised after a suicide attempt two years later because I was in the throes of alcohol withdrawal and hadn't a notion what was wrong with me. I thought I was losing my mind and just wanted it over.
I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital and rehab centre and put on the alcohol programme. The shrink and my counsellor and my group counsellor said I was a "situational drinker"
"A situational drinker is someone who develops a dependance on alcohol as a result of a loss, death, injury or illness." (Not sure of the exact wording)
The shrink told me to stay off the drink for a year and always watch myself with drink as I had the potential to become an alcoholic. I didn't follow his advice and here I am 19 years later starting my AA journey. I was seen by another shrink recently, three on the same team actually, and the consultant said you ARE an alcoholic.
That is where heavy drinking can lead you.
Annette