ArtFriend

A friend of mine is a long time drinker and he drinks 2-3 drinks daily. He wants to know if that makes him an alcoholic. I said I would consult the forum and tap its wisdom.

ScottFromWI

Only he can answer that. There are of course tests one can take to assess your drinking but even then only the individual can decide.

gippy1968

If he questions if he drinks too much then he probably does.

ArtFriend

Personally I don't think 2-3 drinks a day makes one an alcoholic, but I wanted to get input from you guys. Thanks

ScottFromWI

The amount one drinks is only one factor. Tell him to quit for 30 days and see what happens. Or better yet, tell him to sign up for SR and ask the question himself!

PurpleKnight

Depends on the behaviours, I used to only drink 2 beers but it was the way I came to depend on them each night and not be able to go a day without.

If he's worried he can go a few months without and if that digs up feelings of fear or panic, a feeling of lost without alcohol then he'll know there's a problem!!

doggonecarl

Has he tried not drinking 2-3 drinks daily, to see what happens? Much to be learned in the struggle to not drink.

Nowsthetime

Ask him if it affects his life negatively. Only he can tell if he is or not.

Mrrryah1

no it does not.

Soberpotamus

I think it's more telling to appraise the negative consequences when coming to a conclusion of problematic or alcoholic drinking.

CNY46ER

If he is asking the he already knows the answer. Just my opinion.

CNY46ER

I also remember when I told people "I only had 2-3 drinks a night also". Then reality hit me.

doggonecarl

Yeah, I'm pretty sure when my doctor told me two beers a night was okay, he wasn't talking about two "40" oz'ers. But that's how I chose to interpret it, focusing on the number "2" and "is okay"

ScottFromWI

Yep. I had 2 or 3 a night.....to get warmed up.

DoPerdition

2-3 a night by itself probably wouldn't make him an alcoholic. It really depends on why he drinks, how he feels about the drinks and more importantly, how he feels if he can't have anything to drink.

Soberwolf

2-3 drinks every single night is a pattern of dependence so is every other night so is only on fridays im not here to say anyone is an alcoholic i know if you cant do without it then it is a problem

whether that person does something about it is up to them


If someone doesnt acknowledge it theres not much you can do unfortunatly

Jwalker

I'm with the other opinions stated above -- no one can tell except your friend. Try going 30 - 60 - 90 days without alcohol. There won't be any question in his/her mind.

Jwalker

GroundhogDay

Yeah, if I had one glass of wine a night, it would be in one of those "joke" glasses that will hold a whole bottle!

autan

I think there are many different stage in Alcoholism.
I know people who have a one drink, when they go out and thats it.

I used to have a drink, upon drink upon drink. I would find myself in Preston, in a dirty alley way, cold, wet and smelling of a mixture of alcohol and ****.

I never considered myself an alcoholic, I was a party animal. One of the lads.
Its hard to pin a label on someone, he will make efforts to hide his drinking from the whole work even himself.

Ruby2

That really is a question only your friend can answer. Does he crave alcohol and have to have it or can he leave it? Many daily drinkers are not alcoholics. I am not one of those. I had crawling up the wall anxiety if I didn't drink. Suggest he stop for 30 days.