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 ...
That’s ridiculous. Normal drinkers never wonder if they’re abnormal drinkers. That’s my point.
Exactly the first thought to my mind. LOL!
I quit drinking cold turkey New Year’s Day a year ago. Best decision I ever made.
Sure they do. Modern social activist behavior Nazis have so redefined what “alcoholism” is that a wholly normal person could “wonder” if he were alcoholic (and reasonably conclude that the answer was “no”).
I don't see how a word can "falsely lead one to false assumptions" about anything. An alcoholic is simply someone who suffers from alcoholism.
Perhaps you feel that the word alcoholic has negative connotations associated with it, but that certainly doesn't make the word's use as a noun illegitimate.
I just got out of a relationship with an alcoholic. I had never experienced up close and it was one of the saddest things I have ever witnessed.
3 DUI’s, a destroyed marriage, a alcohol induced miscarriage and a lost job were not enough for this woman to give up the bottle.
I tend not to think of it as a disease though, no more than obesity is a disease. I feel it is really a lack of willpower combined with a weak character.
All I can really say is that I will never put myself through that hell again. I did everyting for this girl and only received grief. I realized I can fix broken things, but not broken people.
Did you mention a toothache?????
Your Results:
Based on Your Responses:
Your drinking pattern appears to fall within the ranges considered safe for most people your age and gender, and your results do not suggest that alcohol is harming your health.
Whew! I squeaked by. Have to celebrate when I get home.
Fine...let him drink and if he is an alcoholic, he’ll find out soon enough. It doesn’t really matter you know..alcoholics usually drink until they are absolutely forced to stop. Those are the lucky ones. Alot just end up dying. So all of this is just moot anyway.
Actually, once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.
Even if completely dry for 20 years.
Yes, even you can be defined as an alcoholic! ;-)
My liver enzymes say yes but my mind says no.
Back in 1959 during basic training in the USAF we had a class on alcoholism as a requirement for all recruits; at the end we were given a self-test list of questions to answer true or false, #1 was: You have begun to drink?
It two was one of those where three or more true answers labeled one an alcoholic.
My bro-in-law said he was not an alcoholic, he never joined AA. He thought he was being real funny. Didn’t seem to think drinking himself to sleep every night was a problem, he died in his sleep at age 51.
It appears that everyone who has had a drink, or thought about a drink, or never thought about a drink or never had a drink is an alcoholic. ;-)
You uncultured rube! Everyone knows that dark liquor goes with breakfast sausage, while white liquor goes with cereal. You should be drinking vodka with your corn flakes.
LOL!! I always appreciate your posts. BTW, I've been to your blog and like what I've seen. I've got it bookmarked. When are you going to rise from your Scotch, cigar, and gun powder induced stupor and write something else?
kept drinking despite social or interpersonal problems
Hell, I wouldn't have a reason to drink if I didn't have social or interpersonal problems. What is this writer thinking?
Having quit (to the drop) almost 3 years ago, my perspective is that attachment to alcohol is a parasite that is beautiful to pet and woo, while it tells you it’s okay if it takes your body parts and slowly kills them. Of course it feels good, we all like it when we pet a kitten and it purrs back. This is a spiritual level dweller that takes bites out of your mental level of self, then physical, and then social. But that’s only how I percieve the parasite I have caged and well locked away. Others may not recognize the parasite as a threat. That’s fine... for now. It’s all your events on your path.
LOL! Just a wee one. I’ve got three kids under five, a husband who works 12 hour days, and a babysitter who’s moved away, so I haven’t been able to get an appointment yet. Work should be slowing down soon, then I’ll get in. Pinky swear :)
no, they are former drunks!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.