Are You an Alcoholic?

Wall Street Journal ^ | 8 January 2008 | MELINDA BECK

[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.)

[FoxInSocks]

I do note something I dislike. That is, taking the adjective "alcoholic" and making it a noun. A person suffers from "alcoholism."

A person affected with alcoholism is an alcoholic. I looked up the word in my Oxford dictionary, and Merriam-Webster's Online states it has been in use as a noun for over a hundred years.

[Ouderkirk]

I “did” the Dewar’s Distillery tour at 10 a.m. Can’t drink their stuff anymore.

[Mr. Lucky]

By that same logic, you could become the lost heir of Czar Nicholas II by merely wondering it.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Does FRinking count?

[BigIsleGal]

Hey Now...

I resemble that remark!

BIG

[CJ Wolf]

I thought Alcoholics are the ones who quit drinking and go to meetings.

[HairOfTheDog]

I had some exposure to the alcoholism “business” a few years back. The trouble with the alcohol assessment and treatment industry is that it’s defined and managed by alcoholics. Alcoholics have defined what constitutes alcoholism. And many of those alcohol counselors do believe that everyone who drinks is just like them and on the road to becoming ‘dependent’... Don’t try to deny it! -that’s one of the symptoms.

[mnehring]

Darn, I passed the test. I have to work harder.

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.

[Vaduz]

It was a woman that drove me to drink and I never had the decency to writh and Thank Her.

[shrinkermd]

Oxford dictionary or no, a medical diagnosis is a noun. “Alcoholism” is a major mental disorder found in people of varying temperaments, ability, ages and backgrounds. To use the adjective “alcoholic” as a noun falsely leads one to false assumptions about that person. Turning the adjective “alcoholic” into a noun hinders both understanding and early treatment.

[ElkGroveDan]

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.

The down side is being mis-characterized by a bunch of zealots and being fooled into giving up one of the great pleasures in life, when in fact you had no problem in the first place.

[Centurion2000]

Looks like the web page quiz is full of crap ... but hey who would have guessed with an advocacy page.

If getting drunk once a year indicates that you have a problem, the criteria for alcoholism is too damned low.

[theDentist]

I enjoy the Lagavulin, and that Makers Mark, but presently I'm saving my spare change (incl dollar bills) for a bottle of this:

[woollyone]

"In Iran, we don't have alcoholics, like in your country.
We don't have that in our country.
In Iran, we do not have this phenomenon.
I don't know who's told you that we have it."

[rockrr]

Are You an Alcoholic? No, but I am willing to learn...;’}

[i_dont_chat]

“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.”

I was 14 the first time I got drunk. The peak years were from 18 to 24. But I didn’t mature out of it. By age 38, I couldn’t function normally. I was bankrupt financially, spiritually, and physically. I stopped at age 38; I’m 66 now. I recommend AA to anyone who can relate.

[Hildy]

If people notice a significant behavioral change in you, and care enough to point it out, alcohol has ceased being a “Great pleasure of life,” and has turned into a problem. However, if you’re not an alcoholic, there’s no way you can understand this.

[bmwcyle]

I’ll be right over.

[ßuddaßudd]

Hey, I resemble that remark!

[ontap]

Ehh! I gave up waiting and went to rot gut.