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 ...
I do note something I dislike. That is, taking the adjective "alcoholic" and making it a noun. A person suffers from "alcoholism." A person is not a diagnosis. More than anything else, imprecise use of language perpetuates pejorative stereotypes that are not only not helpful but detrimental to the understanding and early recognition of alcohol dependence.
L
Drink a couple Scotches and repeat as needed. :-)
Its a question of degree....
No, but I will be after this election is over...
Nothing like a little rationalization to keep one going.
I remember taking a similar test in college (MIT) with various members of the house I was living in.
One of the questions was “do you sometimes hang around with that drinks too much.” We responded “we ARE the crowd that drinks too much. . . “
I think there is a college dispensation or something, though. Drink wine on Friday nights and holidays . . . Scotch on special occassions.
Only when I’ve got toothache...
Only when I’ve got toothache...
Or, yanked this babe outta the bar at 2am
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink, because when they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel for the rest of the day.."
Which Course?
I better have a drink and think about this.
What I was thinking -
most alcoholics don’t think it’s much of a problem.
Madd members think that all non-teatotallers are alcoholics.
meaningless psychobable.
Since before I was involved in politics and became accustomed to this kind of thing, I’ve alway been skeptical of this rush to make everyone an alcoholic.
I suppose if podiatrists thought they could get away with it they’d try to convince us all that we have a grave and serious toe fungus whether we believe it or not. Denial would be the first indication.
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