Am I alcoholic, or just a drunk
12 Step Recovered Alcoholic
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 6,613
Originally Posted by LillianGish 
To be honest, I don't understand the definition of what you consider "a drunk." It's a perjorative term I think - slang name calling maybe? Is a drunk someone who drinks a lot? Well, all alcoholics do that. Can't stop? Yep, that's an alcoholic too. Alcohol turning your life into hell? Yep, check that box too.
Can you explain to me what differentiation you are trying to make between an alcoholic and a drunk....I'm not sure there is one. Dictionary says a drunk is a person who is drunk or drinks habitually to excess. That sounds like an alcoholic to me too.
Not really fond of the term "drunk." Kind of old school term for someone who chooses to drink his life away - someone will low character - village idiot. Whatcha getting at here? I doubt you are any of these things, and I'd really encourage you to be kinder to yourself.
I just know that for the longest time, I spent a lot of energy trying to talk myself out of being an alcoholic so I could keep drinking. I do know that alcohol took over my life for several years. And I wanted to get sober. Still not sure I'm an alcoholic in a medical definition way - but the answer didn't change my desire to stop.
And in the end, that's all that matters. I'm not special. Just a plain vanilla woman who needed to stop. And if anyone calls me a drunk, they are going to get a fat lip. So judgey.
Can you explain to me what differentiation you are trying to make between an alcoholic and a drunk....I'm not sure there is one. Dictionary says a drunk is a person who is drunk or drinks habitually to excess. That sounds like an alcoholic to me too.
Not really fond of the term "drunk." Kind of old school term for someone who chooses to drink his life away - someone will low character - village idiot. Whatcha getting at here? I doubt you are any of these things, and I'd really encourage you to be kinder to yourself.
I just know that for the longest time, I spent a lot of energy trying to talk myself out of being an alcoholic so I could keep drinking. I do know that alcohol took over my life for several years. And I wanted to get sober. Still not sure I'm an alcoholic in a medical definition way - but the answer didn't change my desire to stop.
And in the end, that's all that matters. I'm not special. Just a plain vanilla woman who needed to stop. And if anyone calls me a drunk, they are going to get a fat lip. So judgey.
The drunk could quit if he would,
The alcoholic would quit if he could.
The OP seems to be asking whether he is a hard drinker, or alcoholic, and
the two things need to be treated differently. It is important to know what the problem is for that reason.
On this site you will see people with drinking problems that stem from all sorts of supposed causes. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, alcoholism, lifestyle choice etc. It may be not only ineffective but also dangerous, for example, to treat someone for alcoholism when the real problem is depression, and vice versa.
I would suggest the OP talk to some people with experience in this area, therapist, doctor, and investigate people with similar sounding problems, like AA, and try and find out exactly what the problem is.
Once the problem is clearly identified, we are in a much better position to consoder possible solutions.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 642
The biggest differences between alcoholism and alcohol abuse (alcoholic vs. drunk) are the following:
Alcoholism:
Narrowing of the drinking repetoire
Drink-seeking behavior
Tolerance
Withdrawal symptoms when intake is reduced or eliminated
Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
Subjective awareness of a problem (whether admitted or not)
Inability to follow through on a commitment to quit drinking
At least this is what I gather from my research on the subject.
But does it really matter? If alcohol is getting in the way of your happiness, then eliminate it or reduce it. If you're an alcoholic, the only way is to eliminate it. Alcoholics (like me) are incapable of moderation.
Alcoholism:
Narrowing of the drinking repetoire
Drink-seeking behavior
Tolerance
Withdrawal symptoms when intake is reduced or eliminated
Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
Subjective awareness of a problem (whether admitted or not)
Inability to follow through on a commitment to quit drinking
At least this is what I gather from my research on the subject.
But does it really matter? If alcohol is getting in the way of your happiness, then eliminate it or reduce it. If you're an alcoholic, the only way is to eliminate it. Alcoholics (like me) are incapable of moderation.
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