Topic: What's the difference between heavy drinking and alcoholism?
Meta !PARAdoxiHw started this discussion 14 years ago #21,906
I've wondered this for many years, having known people who could be described as both types. I think myself that the difference is that someone who is a heavy drinker wants to drink but can control it and knows when it's not appropriate. An alcoholic is someone who needs to drink and literally can't stop.
How do you feel, forum?
How do you feel, forum?
Anonymous B joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later[^] [v] #346,559
Anonymous B double-posted this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 5 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #346,560
@OP
> I've wondered this for many years, having known people who could be described as both types. I think myself that the difference is that someone who is a heavy drinker wants to drink but can control it and knows when it's not appropriate. An alcoholic is someone who needs to drink and literally can't stop.
>
> How do you feel, forum?
Years ago a good friend who started as social drinker with expense account (Salesman) was out every night entertaining. Later when his business hit the skids he started drinking to solve issues. He ended up dying from liver failure. Really really nice guy.
> I've wondered this for many years, having known people who could be described as both types. I think myself that the difference is that someone who is a heavy drinker wants to drink but can control it and knows when it's not appropriate. An alcoholic is someone who needs to drink and literally can't stop.
>
> How do you feel, forum?
Years ago a good friend who started as social drinker with expense account (Salesman) was out every night entertaining. Later when his business hit the skids he started drinking to solve issues. He ended up dying from liver failure. Really really nice guy.
Anonymous C joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 11 hours later, 11 hours after the original post[^] [v] #346,676
@OP
Green.
Green.
Anonymous D joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 6 minutes later, 11 hours after the original post[^] [v] #346,679
Anonymous E joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 3 hours later, 14 hours after the original post[^] [v] #346,697
The quality of the wine.
Anonymous F joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 35 minutes later, 15 hours after the original post[^] [v] #346,701
Alcoholism is an addiction to alcohol consumption. One can be a heavy drinker yet not addicted.
I drink often, but I'm not alcohol dependent. (Yet.)
I drink often, but I'm not alcohol dependent. (Yet.)