How do you really know when you are an alcoholic?

1. 61

   shamani67posted 12 years ago

   How do you really know when you are an alcoholic?
   
   I believe a lot of people are in denial. In Australia it seems to be a favourite past time and the done thing to drink alcohol. How can you tell when you are in the danger zone of becoming dependent?

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2. 74

   cathylynn99posted 12 years ago

   dependency is a hard question. one answer is if you keep doing it after negative effects on your health, work, or family life.
   
   abuse is easier. more than an average of a drink a day for women or two drinks per day for men is unhealthy. more than three drinks in a setting for women or five for men is considered abuse.
   
   a drink is a 4 oz. glass of wine, a 12 oz. glass of beer or a shot of liquor.

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3. 60

   maticmagisterposted 12 years ago

   do you crave for a drink every day?
   can you normally function without a drink?
   is alcohol a big part of your life?
   
   answer these truthfully and you have your answer.

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4. 67

   Nadeeshan301posted 12 years ago

   Though alcohol is very common beverage and there are stated safe levels of drinking; There is a spectrum of alcohol consumers
   •    Social Drinkers- People who drink for pleasure, but drinks less than 3 units per day and they will not get drunk
   (Here1 unit of alcohol (8 g) =1/2 pint of beer;1 single measure (25 ml) of spirit like whiskey, gin, vodka;1 small glass of wine or small glass of sherry )
   •    Harmful or heavy drinkers- People who consume alcohol in terms of quantity and or frequency than in safe level that can cause damage to physical, mental health they can become dependent drinkers.
   •    Dependant drinkers- People who drink heavily that will cause a condition called alcohol dependant syndrome which include physiological, behavioral, and cognitive phenomena. This needs to be treated.
   •    Problem drinking is a general term used to describe those who use alcohol lead to alcohol related disorder or disability including harmful users and dependant users.
   •    Binge drinkers are those who drink excessively in short bouts, usually 24–48 hours long, separated by often quite lengthy periods of abstinence. Their overall monthly or weekly alcohol intake may be relatively modest.
   
   Alcohol Dependent Syndrome is a psychiatric condition which needs to be treated, there person become dependent on repeated self- administration of alcohol which ultimately result in tolerance, withdrawal and compulsive drug taking behavior. It also causes substance related problems.
   
   Elements of the alcohol dependence Syndrome (these are described in ICD 10)
   1.    A strong desire or sense of compulsion to take alcohol
   2.    Difficulties in controlling alcohol-taking behavior
   3.    Further drinking as a relief or to avoid alcohol withdrawal syndrome which will be described later particularly even in morning as an eye-opener
   4.    Increase tolerance for alcohol there person has to take increased amounts of alcohol in order to achieve affects previously obtained by lower doses
   5.    Progressive neglect of alternating interests due to alcohol use
   6.    Increased amounts of time needed to obtaining or taking alcohol, or recovering from its  use
   7.    Persisting use of alcohol despite clear evidence of overtly harmful use (example liver damage, depressed mood states subsequent to alcohol use)

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5. 61

   James Halpinposted 12 years ago

   nadee has the best answer for you.  There are many variences.  Not one thing makes you an alcholic.

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6. 90

   Patty Inglish, MSposted 12 years ago

   If you think that you suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, or any psychological or psychiatric condition, then you already have a jump start on recovery if you need it. Make an appointment with professionals and find out. Given the prevalence of alcoholism... read more

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7. 61

   wellspokenposted 12 years ago

   When you wake up in the morning and the first thing you do is drink. You don't handle any of your personal hygiene or business all you do is drink and stay drunk your entire life revolves around that next drink. You pass out a lot and don't know how you got places...ect

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8. 76

   Rob Wintersposted 12 years ago

   For me the clearest way to know you are an alcoholic is if you establish a pattern whereby you continue to drink despite the mounting negative consequences of said drinking.Whilst there would be similarities the specifics of each persons situation may vary - to know if you are in the danger zone i would ask yourself questions that confirm your persistance in drinking despite the aforementioned negative consequences. A few examples (in no particular order) might be -
   
   Am i continuing to drink even though my performance or attendance at work is sufferring?
   
   Am i continuing to drink even though my friends and family are expressing concerns?
   
   Am i continuing to drink even though my drinking is directly or indirectly hurting those i love?
   
   Am i continuing to spend money on drink at the expense of my bills or responsibilities?
   
   Am i continuing to drink even after i've recieved medical advice to the contrary?
   
   Unfortunately there are many many more.

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9. 0

   reeltaulkposted 12 years ago

   when you seem to believe the bottle is your bestest friend and can solve all of your problems.  I remember once I threw away a cup of alcohol and some people had the nerve to tell me I'm not EVER suppose to do that!  Well Ok whatever..... I said as I found their behavior strange being that I can do whatever I please with whatever belongs to me!    As I just read Robs Post I will definitely cosign with what he has written!  Yes Yes Rob Winters you're on point!

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10. 60

    CreamT0632posted 12 years ago

    when you are always drunk and out of your mind!

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11. 57

    cathyaddams567posted 11 years ago

    You will know when you turned into an alcoholic if you can't function daily activity without the use of alcohol. Visit http://abusetreatmentcenters.net/inpati … treatment/ for some facts about the use of alcohol.

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