The term alcoholic certainly is up for debate. I have considered myself a problem drinker for years. I use this term to describe myself because I don't have physical withdrawal symptoms but alcohol causes significant problems in my life.
Here is the crazy thing. I would use this distinction as an excuse to keep drinking. After all I'm not an alcoholic because I dont have physical withdrawal symptoms. I just have to deal with all of the extreamly negative consequences of drinking which could even lead to mine, or someone else
death.
it was only after waking up after another heavy binge blackout night 49 days ago, I finally admitted to myself that I cant drink anymore. Now I realize how much control alcohol had on me. How in the world could I justify drinking because it only causes serious problems in my life and not withdrawal symptoms.