My question about his drinking has always been, is it an addiction or is it a bad coping strategy? My step-father is an alcoholic in the worst way. He starts his day with a beer the way most people start their day with a coffee, and he gets the shakes and nausea if he doesn't. Boyfriend can go without alcohol, easily, for long periods of time. He has no issues with abstaining. I don't know how to categorize it.