What’s your definition of an alcoholic?

[Royale with Cheese]

For me it’s not as much quantity but more dependency.  

 

I drink almost everyday.  Not getting drunk but a few beers or glass or two of liquor.  I get drunk maybe 3 times a year.  Some people would call me an alcoholic...like my parents.  My mom actually denied me a glass of wine on Thanksgiving because of my “drinking problem”.

 

When I think of an alcoholic, I think of someone who doesn’t have a stopping point.  They drink until the bottle is out or they black out.  It may not happen everyday or week or month....but when they start, they can’t stop.

[Boca BIlls]

You are an alcoholic the moment you have questions if you are or not.

[RaoulDuke79]

This is a tough one. I guess there are technical definitions for alcoholism as far as dependency or how many drinks a person has at one time or over the course of a week. I guess I would classify an alcoholic as someone who puts the need to have a drink ahead of day to day activities such as work, family, etc.....I think by most standards I would be considered a functional alcoholic. I don't drink Monday - Wednesday. I have a good job, go to all my kids events, maintain the house, but I get after it pretty good Thursday - Sunday quantity wise. I'm pretty much strictly a beer guy and it's not like I fiend for alcohol of any kind. There's been a bottle of Belvedere in the house for going on 3 years. I have an addictive personality in pretty much all things. It's balls to the wall or nothing. I'm not good at moderation.

Edited December 13, 2018 by RaoulDuke79

[PearlHowardman]

I don't know what an alcoholic is.  I mean I don't remember what an alcoholic is.  I used to be one.  Got sober via AA many, many, many years ago.  Haven't gone back to booze, drugs, etc.  No, thanks!

 

It's coincidence you posted this, though.  I was just thinking the last couple of days why anyone would drink during a NFL game.  If your team loses like the Bills did in the last two minutes on Sunday against the Jets, you're going to be pretty miserable.

 

6 minutes ago, Boca BIlls said:

You are an alcoholic the moment you have questions if you are or not.

 

Pretty much right!

 

[Royale with Cheese]

Would only an alcoholic find Emma Stone attractive?

9 minutes ago, RaoulDuke79 said:

This is a tough one. I guess there are technical definitions for alcoholism as far as dependency or how many drinks a person has at one time or over the course of a week. I guess I would classify an alcoholic as someone who puts the need to have a drink ahead of day to day activities such as work, family, etc.....I think by most standards I would be considered a functional alcoholic. I don't drink Monday - Wednesday. I have a good job, go to all my kids events, maintain the house, but I get after it pretty good Thursday - Sunday quantity wise. I'm pretty much strictly a beer guy and it's not like I fiend for alcohol of any kind. There's been a bottle of Belvedere in the house for going on 3 years. I have an addictive personality in pretty much all things. It's balls to the wall or nothing. I'm not good at moderation.

 

My ex’s aunt used to pour a drink right before going to bed so she would have it right next to her first thing in the morning.  

[RaoulDuke79]

3 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

Would only an alcoholic find Emma Stone attractive?

 

My ex’s aunt used to pour a drink right before going to bed so she would have it right next to her first thing in the morning.  

Question 1: I think drunks and teetotalers alike may or may not find her attractive. She's a bit of an odd case. Different strokes for different folks.

 

Your ex's aunt would probably be an alcoholic according to my calculations. I make a concerted effort not to drink before noon. I'm going to make an exception this Sunday though for Liverpool/ ManU.

[ExiledInIllinois]

If you can't go week without a drink.  Then you need it.  IMO.

 

Not sure how they define where physical dependency starts with alcohol, but a week sounds about right with me

[billsfanmiami(oh)]

Me 

[DC Tom]

Denial is a symptom.  The moment you deny being an alcoholic, you're an alcoholic.

 

Like me.  I'm not an alcoholic.  So I must be.  Even though I don't drink.  But I deny it, so I have a problem.  Or so I've been told... 

[Seasons1992]

I drink every day. Beer and wine, mostly. My doctor says at 218lbs and 6' tall, I'm obese. Those who have met me in person would (HOPEFULLY) beg to differ. 

I run a 5k essentially every day and eat healthy.

 

If I stopped drinking I would weigh 185 in a month.

 

I ain't stopping.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

OP, did you have too many Red Bulls today?  Emma Stone, am I an alk?  Jesus.

[Teddy KGB]

1 hour ago, Royale with Cheese said:

For me it’s not as much quantity but more dependency.  

 

I drink almost everyday.  Not getting drunk but a few beers or glass or two of liquor.  I get drunk maybe 3 times a year.  Some people would call me an alcoholic...like my parents.  My mom actually denied me a glass of wine on Thanksgiving because of my “drinking problem”.

 

When I think of an alcoholic, I think of someone who doesn’t have a stopping point.  They drink until the bottle is out or they black out.  It may not happen everyday or week or month....but when they start, they can’t stop.

 

How much blow though ? 

[mead107]

Are you a mean fall down drunk? 

[Johnny Hammersticks]

I have 2-3 glasses of wine or beers just about every night after the kids go to bed.  I guess if you add it all up I might have 20-25 drinks per week (a few more on weekend nights).  Some might consider me to be an alcoholic I guess.

 

I guess where I draw that line is whether or not the hooch has a negative impact on your life functioning.  Are you able to wake up and be productive at work?  Are you able to be kind to and provide for your family?  Are you able to have a few drinks without being an *****?  Do you know when is enough?

 

Alcohol doesn’t negatively impact my life (except for the few extra pounds and the rare mild hangover).  Bottoms up!

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

9 minutes ago, mead107 said:

Are you a mean fall down drunk? 

Weepy drunk?  Funny drunk?

[Chef Jim]

I've struggled with alcohol for a long time.  I don't drink everyday.  I can go a week or weeks without a drink.  My issue is I'm a binge drinker.  I have one and it's on.  So does that make me an alcoholic?  Well I think it's safe to say it is a form of alcoholism.  I would hate to be the person who has to fight the urges everyday. That would be horrible. 

[Johnny Hammersticks]

Just now, Chef Jim said:

I've struggled with alcohol for a long time.  I don't drink everyday.  I can go a week or weeks without a drink.  My issue is I'm a binge drinker.  I have one and it's on.  So does that make me an alcoholic?  Well I think it's safe to say it is a form of alcoholism.  I would hate to be the person who has to fight the urges everyday. That would be horrible. 

 

I have a chef friend who drank Tito’s on the rocks just about all day long...every single day.  Ruined his career temporarily, ***** up reltionships with his family, lost his wife.  I remember when he finally went to rehab.  I was appalled at how physically dependent he was on the booze.  It was like he was dying.  Throwing up, sweating profusely, borderline psychotic.  The worst of it lasted nearly a week.  Very scary.  He’s been clean for a while now and has straightened out his life.  That’s a bit extreme, but certainly someone who I would consider an alcoholic.  Then and now even though he hasn’t had a drink in year.

 

Just opened up a restaurant/hotel in Napa as Exec Chef, BTW.

[Rico]

One of Buffalo's finest:

 

[Chef Jim]

25 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

 

I have a chef friend who drank Tito’s on the rocks just about all day long...every single day.  Ruined his career temporarily, ***** up reltionships with his family, lost his wife.  I remember when he finally went to rehab.  I was appalled at how physically dependent he was on the booze.  It was like he was dying.  Throwing up, sweating profusely, borderline psychotic.  The worst of it lasted nearly a week.  Very scary.  He’s been clean for a while now and has straightened out his life.  That’s a bit extreme, but certainly someone who I would consider an alcoholic.  Then and now even though he hasn’t had a drink in year.

 

Just opened up a restaurant/hotel in Napa as Exec Chef, BTW.

 

I was working in a restaurant in Beverly Hills in the early 90's.  We had a sister restaurant in Venice Beach. Chef there was 35 and drank pretty much as you described.  He passed out at work one day and was dead a month later.  Poisoned his liver.  I quit right then and there.  I drank heavily every day.   Quit cold turkey and didn't touch a drop for 10 years.  Been out of that career for nearly 20 years and have been off and on the wagon for the past 20.  It's not easy. 

Edited December 14, 2018 by Chef Jim

[mead107]

I drink wine ?  

[RaoulDuke79]

13 hours ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

I have 2-3 glasses of wine or beers just about every night after the kids go to bed.  I guess if you add it all up I might have 20-25 drinks per week (a few more on weekend nights).  Some might consider me to be an alcoholic I guess.

 

I guess where I draw that line is whether or not the hooch has a negative impact on your life functioning.  Are you able to wake up and be productive at work?  Are you able to be kind to and provide for your family?  Are you able to have a few drinks without being an *****?  Do you know when is enough?

 

Alcohol doesn’t negatively impact my life (except for the few extra pounds and the rare mild hangover).  Bottoms up!

There's also the cases where people who are generally ***** have a few drinks and become tolerable. Booze is a hard puzzle to solve.

 

Edited December 14, 2018 by RaoulDuke79

[mead107]

My father was an alcoholic.  Died of  liver damage. Fall down drunk.    

[Chef Jim]

1 minute ago, mead107 said:

I drink wine ?  

 

That makes you gay not an alcoholic!  xoxo

[mead107]

Just now, Chef Jim said:

 

That makes you gay not an alcoholic!  xoxo

???

[ExiledInIllinois]

5 minutes ago, RaoulDuke79 said:

There's also the cases where people who are generally ***** have a few drinks and become tolerable. Booze is a hard puzzle to solve.

I call BS.  What came first, the alcoholic or the azz hole?  I say the alcoholic.

3 minutes ago, mead107 said:

My father was an alcoholic.  Died of  liver damage. Fall down drunk.    

Mine too.  But still kicking.  Hasn't touched a drop for 25 years.

 

Couldn't just have 1 drink,  had to be 10.  /smh

Edited December 13, 2018 by ExiledInIllinois

[RaoulDuke79]

1 minute ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

I call BS.  What came first, the alcoholic or the azz hole?  I say the alcoholic.

I'm not sure what you're calling BS on. I've been with people in different situations where they were sober and it was hard to tolerate them. I wouldn't necessarily call all of them *****, but it was just kind of a chore to carry on a conversation with them. When they had a few drinks they loosened up a bit at it kind of took the edge off of the conversation and atmosphere. 

[ExiledInIllinois]

3 minutes ago, RaoulDuke79 said:

I'm not sure what you're calling BS on. I've been with people in different situations where they were sober and it was hard to tolerate them. I wouldn't necessarily call all of them *****, but it was just kind of a chore to carry on a conversation with them. When they had a few drinks they loosened up a bit at it kind of took the edge off of the conversation and atmosphere. 

Sorry, what I mean is the drinking is making them the jerk.  When they don't get the drink, that's where the problem is.

 

Have you ever saw them truly clean?  Free of the dependency?

 

EDIT: Assuming they were chronic drinkers, maybe even alcoholics.  ???

Edited December 14, 2018 by ExiledInIllinois

[RaoulDuke79]

5 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Sorry, what I mean is the drinking is making them the jerk.  When they don't get the drink, that's where the problem is.

 

Have you ever saw them truly clean?  Free of the dependency?

Gotcha..........I don't think any of the people I was referring to have a drinking problem. It's probably the exact opposite actually. They are so socially awkward and I think a drink or 2 helps them relax and become more personable..

Edited December 14, 2018 by RaoulDuke79

[ExiledInIllinois]

9 minutes ago, RaoulDuke79 said:

Gotcha..........I don't think any of the people I was referring to have a drinking problem. It's probably the exact opposite actually. They are so socially awkward and I think a drink or 2 helps them relax and become more personable..

Yeah...  Understand.  They would then have to watch the dependency trap.  Not fall into it.

[GoBills808]

I dunno but it's probably something along the lines of when you start asking strangers on football messageboards for alcoholism advice.

[ExiledInIllinois]

8 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

I dunno but it's probably something along the lines of when you start asking strangers on football messageboards for alcoholism advice.

Too funny.

 

But in all honesty.  If your body craves it, gives you the signs you NEED IT, that's when you are probably an alcoholic.

 

Now... If those physical signals are apparent and you can do without, go without... Then I would say one is most likely NOT an alcoholic.

 

I mean, when it gets bad, there are reasons some will go through DT's.

 

When you feel like crap and crave, the drink makes you feel better and can't say no to it... Probably an alkie.  Who are we kidding, not probably but: are an alkie.

[GoBills808]

6 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Too funny.

 

But in all honesty.  If your body craves it, gives you the signs you NEED IT, that's when you are probably an alcoholic.

 

Now... If those physical signals are apparent and you can do without, go without... Then I would say one is most likely NOT an alcoholic.

 

I mean, when it gets bad, there are reasons some will go through DT's.

 

When you feel like crap and crave, the drink makes you feel better and can't say no to it... Probably an alkie.  Who are we kidding, not probably but: are an alkie.

It's in my genes, pops has multiple drinks a day, his dad drank himself to death before 50 but back in those days they didn't know any better...I used to drink but once I started I didn't stop. Definitely have a problem w/ booze but I just try not to drink anymore.

 

Real answer is the very first time it crosses your mind that you think you might have a problem, you have a problem.

[Marv's Neighbor]

When I was working, I would come home and "need" a drink.   Since retiring, I enjoy a drink BUT, the need isn't there anymore. 

[jr1]

drinking in the morning

[RaoulDuke79]

16 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

It's in my genes, pops has multiple drinks a day, his dad drank himself to death before 50 but back in those days they didn't know any better...I used to drink but once I started I didn't stop. Definitely have a problem w/ booze but I just try not to drink anymore.

 

Real answer is the very first time it crosses your mind that you think you might have a problem, you have a problem.

This sounds about right. I think if you're questioning yourself it's probably a problem. 

[Chef Jim]

1 hour ago, GoBills808 said:

I dunno but it's probably something along the lines of when you start asking strangers on football messageboards for advice.

 FTFY

 

Oh wait. That’s the definition of a dummy. 

 

52 minutes ago, jr1 said:

drinking in the morning

 

My motto was “you can’t drink all day unless you start in the morning!”

Edited December 14, 2018 by Chef Jim

[KD in CA]

3 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

For me it’s not as much quantity but more dependency.  

 

I drink almost everyday.  Not getting drunk but a few beers or glass or two of liquor.  I get drunk maybe 3 times a year.  Some people would call me an alcoholic...like my parents.  My mom actually denied me a glass of wine on Thanksgiving because of my “drinking problem”.

 

When I think of an alcoholic, I think of someone who doesn’t have a stopping point.  They drink until the bottle is out or they black out.  It may not happen everyday or week or month....but when they start, they can’t stop.

 

Anyone who would consider that a 'drinking problem' is either an over-concerned mother or a real alcoholic.

 

As with any addiction, the test is whether or not you can stop if you want to or need to.

[Another Fan]

Al Coholic 

[bbb]

Drinking like you're still in college. 

[RaoulDuke79]

1 minute ago, bbb said:

Drinking like you're still in college. 

I can drink like I'm still in college. I just cant stay up as long or recover as quick.