Posted on 01/08/2008 7:59:30 AM PST by shrinkermd
More than 30% of Americans engage in risky drinking at some point in their lives...
...Researchers have made up dozens of screening tests over the years. According to one developed for Johns Hopkins University Hospital years ago that still pops up on the Web, I'm "definitely an alcoholic" because I answered yes to at least three of 20 questions...
But Alcoholscreening.org3 says I'm "below the range usually associated with harmful drinking or alcoholism" since I have only a glass or two of wine when I drink.
The authoritative American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-IV, separates alcohol abuse from alcohol dependence, based partly on the problems the drinking causes. You qualify for a diagnosis of "abuse" if you've done any one of these in the past year: drunk alcohol in hazardous situations, like driving; kept drinking despite social or interpersonal problems; had legal problems related to alcohol or failed to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home because of drinking.
You've moved on to "dependence" if you've done any three of these seven: drunk more or longer than you intended; been unable to cut down or stop; needed more alcohol to get the same effect; had withdrawal symptoms without it; spent more time drinking or recovering; neglected other activities or continued to drink despite psychological or physical problems.
...Too much, too fast means consuming more than four drinks in two hours for men, and more than three in two hours for women. That's a level that, on average, makes people legally drunk and impairs brain function. (A standard U.S. drink, by the way, is 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine or a 1.5 oz. shot of 80 proof spirits, according to government agencies.)
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
We meet at the local bar a lot.....
A wise man once told me:
Rationalizations are more important than sex ... think about it, when was the last ime you went a week without a good rationalization.
Here’s the simple rule of thumb: If you’ve ever wondered if you’re an alocohlic...you probably are.
We need to get rid of the term. There are no alcoholics. If the problem gets to be that bad you are a drunk. Face up to it.
Eventually, everyone who has been drunk ever will be declared an alcoholic. There aren’t enough smokers left to demonize, so it’s drinkers and fat people next.
I read once that if you could not give up alcohol (go dry) you were an alcoholic.
If I never had another drink I would not care so I guess I’m not an alcoholic.
AA is for quitters......
It is really no laughing matter. I know!
"The encouraging news from the NIAAA's recent research is that many people do cut down or quit on their own. "That's the real mind blower," says Dr. Willenbring. "Only about 15% of the people who develop alcohol dependence in their lifetime have the severe, relapsing form. Most people -- 72% -- have a single episode [of addiction] lasting on average three or four years and then they go into remission and stay there. A lot of them are abstaining." For many people, that spate of heavy drinking happens in college -- the peak years are 18 to 24, says Dr. Willenbring. "Then they mature out of it and get on with their lives.""
alcoholism is a sham.. its not a disease..if its a disease then so is crack and heroin.
so we need to start diagnosing crackheads with crackism. let the mknow that it isnt their fault and then get them help.
Here’s the deal..if you’re suspected of being an alcoholic, even if you haven’t crossed that line...chances are you will. And if you stop before you cross that line...your life will be infinitely better. There’s really no down side.
God help me! I guilty on both fronts!
Is a person who murders a murderer? Who golfs a golfer? Who works on cars a mechanic?
We are defined by what we do. Tough world.
After this election all all the Live threads of debates, I may be:)
I love booze, but it’s fattening.
alcoholics are merely the drunks that goto meetings.
and the majority of the alcoholics will go back to being just drunks after their court ordered meeting attendance is fulfilled.
Whiskey has calories?
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