MIRecovery

I have seen hundreds of posts questioning whether someone is or isn't an alcoholic. I think I have a sure fire way to tell.

Normal drinkers understand the concept of of cause and effect. I drink too much and bad things happen so to prevent bad things from happening I won't drink so much.

Alcoholics haven't caught on to this concept. They spend unbelievable amounts of time and energy trying to figure out how they can drink but not have bad things happen.

I really don't think it is anymore complicated then this

CAPTAINZING2000

I had a guy say at a meeting once

At first, drinking was fun. After a while, drinking was fun but, it was causing troubles.
At the end, all my drinking did was cause me troubles.
Pretty much summed up my drinking in a nutshell

Algorithm

This is precisely the definition of addiction that we use with AVRT -- drinking or using against one's own better judgment.

Seeking a way to continue drinking without getting into trouble, despite numerous failed attempts, fits this definition.

This is also the chief error of moderation.

SnazzyDresser

I don't use the term alcoholic myself. Such a loaded term. I do know that alcohol was destroying me and I needed to stop if I didn't want to die.