Scarletrose,
The two questions outlined in the Big Book of AA (Pg. 21 para. 2 & Pg. 34 para. 2) clearly define the difference between the heavy drinker and the REAL alcoholic.
Qu. 1 - Can you control the amount you drink once you start to drink?
Qu. 2 - Can you stop for 1 year under your own resources (ie. No meetings, No Meds, No therapy, No substitution)
If you answer no to both or either of these questions then you are a Real alcoholic.
Its that simple
:uzi2: