How Much Does it Take?

[britjojo]

I realise that this answer would be different from individual to individual. But is there a generally accepted level of regular alcohol consumption that is considered a risk for alcoholism? A level at which some might become dependant, but others not?

[Ricardo]

That's an interesting question. I wonder what the official definition of being an alcoholic is? I'm under the impression that some people have a different chemical response to alcohol than others.

From what I've heard, I thought that someone remains an alcoholic even when they abstain from drinking.

[QuietLunatic]

I don't think it has to be an amount that gets you drunk as much as it's a pattern of either binge drinking, or drinking every single day. I'll have to do a little research into this and see what the line is.

[mtajim]

Theres actually very small line between a alchololic and a normal drinker, many people even remain in hangover after they come out of there addiction

[britjojo]

I don't think it has to be an amount that gets you drunk as much as it's a pattern of either binge drinking, or drinking every single day. I'll have to do a little research into this and see what the line is.

Yes, and this is what I am wondering about, in particular QL. I would like to know what pattern qualifies you as an alcoholic.

[Ricardo]

I'd be interested in the definition, too. Do you think that Alcoholics Anonymous would be the source of the clinical definition?

I think that for an alcoholic, it's very difficult to have just one drink and stop at that.

I've worked with a couple of people who described themselves as alcoholics, and they seem to have been successful in abstaining.

[britjojo]

It might be worth a look to see if they have a website, or even put in a phone call to AA. If I have time this weekend, I'll see what I can do.

[QuietLunatic]

I'll be interested to read what you find, Britjojo. I know that part of the definition is that it causes problems for the drinker and his or her family/friends, but what about someone who drinks daily but functions well?

[britjojo]

I don't have an AA answer yet, but according to my friend's oncologist, a person who drinks daily but who's functioning is not impaired, is NOT addicted, if they don't crave. My thought however is that my friend is on his last ditch attempt at chemo, and the Dr is just pacifying him since he hasn't long left.

[mtajim]

I think that a person who drinks not by his will is addicted to it

[QuietLunatic]

Sorry to hear about your friend, Britjojo. The doctor might have a point, though. I really don't know if it counts as alcoholism if your level of functioning remains normal.

[britjojo]

Thanks QL. In his case it goes a little deeper than that as to my thinking he is being pacified. The chemo he is on states quite clearly and harshly that no alcohol may be consumed. The effects can be quite nasty-but where Craig is going I guess that doesn't matter.

[mtajim]

Yes , sometimes alcohol does brings such condition that even a small doe of it , might kill the person

[The Ogre]

I realise that this answer would be different from individual to individual. But is there a generally accepted level of regular alcohol consumption that is considered a risk for alcoholism? A level at which some might become dependant, but others not?

When you're assessing someone for substance abuse/dependence the amount never really comes into question as far as the diagnosis is concerned. Someone stated something about functioning and that's right on the mark. In order for a dependence diagnosis the person has to meet specific criteria such as continued use of the substance despite negative consequences, exhibiting a tolerence to the substance, unsuccessful attempts to quit or cut back, exhibiting withdrawal symptoms, using more than intended, and spending a great deal of time using or obtaining the substance. For an alcohol abuse diagnosis only one of these criteria needs to be meet, and for dependance 2 or more and the tolerance or withdrawal symptoms criteria needs to be present.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, to be designated a heavy drinker the measure is
Men: more than 4 drinks (one beer, one shot, one glass of wine) a day AND more than 14 drinks a week.
Women: more than 3 drinks a day AND more than 7 drinks in a week.
Hope that helps and wasn't too boring!
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

[QuietLunatic]

Thanks, Ogre. That was very interesting and informative...the kind of information I was hoping to find. I appreciate your posting it. :)

[britjojo]

Not boring at all, thank you VERY much!

[brindal]

bang on the mark orgre, my partner is recovering from the illness of alcohol she is only 26 . this her third attempt to be free of this illness . her first attempt she just stopped on her own and was rushed to hospital on the third day in near coma. in the last three years i have learned that alcohol is far harder to withdraw from than crack cocaine, my partner is now on her third attempt but this time it is under proper medical suppervision and support. the doctor told me that once fully addicted to alcohol it is one of the hardest substances to abstain from in the long term there is

[mtajim]

Alcohol kills more people than even grass and weeds does because you get alcohol in your home but will not find drugs that easily, thats why people get addicted to it even in small age and find it hard to recover from it

[shashidhar1234]

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bye

[QuietLunatic]

On June 2, a very dear friend mixed alcohol and prescription drugs in an attempt to scare his girlfriend into not breaking up with him. He left behind a 6 year old daughter, parents, family and hundreds of friends grieving for the loss to something unnecessary and stupid. I'm still mad at him, but I know he didn't mean to die; he just didn't realize how deadly the combination was. :(

[kazscom]

Personally, I think that it is not the amount of drink consumed,it is the level of dependency that one has on it.

[mtajim]

Yes sometime the combination of two drugs can be fatal because they consist of such chemicals which can burn the whole body from inside

[rapistt]

There is certain level of tolerence in every individual which can vary from person to person. One peg of alcohol is my level of tolerence.

[Roxy]

There is no exact definition of alcoholism but basically you can say person is alcoholic if he is drinking daily and not able to work properly without alcohol. The thing that differ from people to people is their capacity to control their urge for the alcohol.

[websurfpro]

There is not an exact amount of alcohol that can make a person addicted, I think it is different from person to person, the important factor is their resistance to alcohol.

[mambios]

There is no set amount at which you automatically become an alcoholic. It is more to due with how your usage affects your day to day life.

The bigger the impact the more likely you are to be considered in need help.

Some people will be affected by small amounts, others by very large but on average it's going to be that level that leaves them unable to function as normal.