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Posted By Jonathan Sandler CMIOSH
I was discussing with colleges what is the definition of an alcoholic?
For example, is a person who has, for the past ten years, has two alcoholic drinks every night a 6.30pm and if that person does not get their daily fix becomes aggressive, is that person an alcoholic?
Or is an alcoholic a person that drinks alcohol from the time they wake up to the time that person goes to sleep?
Just wondered what others views are.
Regards
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Posted By Ian G Hutchings
Originally I thought it was if you drank more than your GP?
More seriously though, my understanding is that you can be a 'topper-up' or a 'binger'. You do not have to drink throughout the day to be an alcoholic, as far as I am aware.
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Posted By Darren J Fraser
Someone who works in the health and safety industry................
My understanding of the definition of an alcoholic is.....someone who has admitted to having a drink problem and is seeking to address that problem with the assistance of support groups and other persons who have admitted to their addiction.
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Posted By Descarte
I would say it is someone who has a dependance on alcohol to either help them through the day, or use it to escape from the realities of life (like most drugs) but in a way which effects their physical and mental wellbeing
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Posted By Phil D
My understanding is that an alcoholic is someone who is dependant on alcohol. So whether it is in the morning or evening, if they do not receive the "fix" their body craves, and that alters their state of mind or has any physical side-effects, then I would have thought that makes them an alcoholic.
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Posted By SREdwards
Alcoholism isn't easily defined in my opinion.
I would suggest that, broadly speaking, if a person has become dependant upon alcohol to the degree that they are compelled to drink habitually, then they must be deemed to be addicted to a certain degree.
It also has to be noted that, due to the varying effects of alcohol on the individual, the amount / frequency of drinking differs greatly from one person to the next. Many 'alcoholics', just like any other addiction or dependancy, can function normally for many years without their 'problem' becoming an issue socially.
There are many great charities and support groups who are willing to help and are freely available on the internet (without me insulting anyones intelligence in regard to searching the internet - so I won't post links)
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Posted By mark limon
I would have thought a dependency on alcohol for any reason.
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Posted By Arran Linton - Smith
I thought it simply was someone where alcohol uncontrollably consumes them rather they being in control of the alcohol that they consume.
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Posted By Pete48
Jonathan,
I am not sure that defining or recognising an “alcoholic” is at all easy. I think I would start from the definition of “alcohol dependency” and work forward from there. Thus, a person displaying enough of the typical symptoms of alcohol dependency might be a potential alcoholic. I have a feeling that, in common usage, the term alcoholic is more of an expression of a personal recognition of the condition rather than a scientific definition.
If I was ever faced with a position where I or other suspected same in the wrokplace, I am pretty sure I wouild be rushing to the medical advisors and/or HR to take over the matter. (and if I didnt have them I would find some to cover the case)
Alcohol dependency is commonly defined as when you are dependent on alcohol, and this dependence is adversely affecting your relationships including those at your workplace.
Some typical example symptoms may include a craving early in the day, the need to drink often even when alone, pre-occupation with alcohol, loss of memory, withdrawal effects such as hangovers, tremors etc.
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Posted By Andy Peters
Mines a double
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Posted By KB
A big bottle of bacardi would be my response.
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Posted By Sharon
One whose continued or excessive drinking results in impairment of personal health, disruption of family and social relationships, and loss of economic security.
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Posted By Descarte
Not wanting to downplay the seriousness of the topic (see my serious response before)
How about anyone who would ever comtemplate drinking diamond white? (only applying to those over the age 21)
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Posted By SREdwards
Diamond white and Castaway in a pint glass, with ice x 8 = 90's drunken oblivion!
(see my earlier response too!)
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Posted By Andrew Lochlyn Ure
Jonathan
Direct from the Alcoholics Anonymous website (http://www.aa-gb.org.uk/newcomer.shtml):
"Am I an alcoholic?
If you repeatedly drink more than you intend or want to, or if you get into trouble when you drink you may be an alcoholic.
Only you can decide. No one in A.A. will tell you whether you are or not."
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Posted By shaun cooper
This topic seems to have received a lot of responses, it looks like we are all exercising our demons.
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Posted By Glyn Atkinson
Not a definition, merely a couple of thoughts -
An alcoholic does not have the capacity to say no to a drink and cannot reasonably fathom out why others think that his / her habits are strange !
The answer lies at the bottom of an empty bottle, but they have to empty it first to get to the answer !
They are optimists - happy with the half full glass, sad if the glass is half empty !
Worst thought - alcoholics seem to be getting lots younger - and on a street corner near YOU !!
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