heavy" drinker vs an alcoholic. Difference?

[evedawn]

What is the difference between a heavy drinker (as in every day needing to drink to "top up" but not getting completely drunk) and an alcoholic? I thought they were the same but I'm told they are different. Can a Heavy drinker degenerate is prob abetter word) to being an alcoholic?

[turkey154]

in my opinion an alcoholic is a person who cannot go one day without having a drink

wheras to me a heavy drinker is someone who chooses to drink alcohol unresponsibly, but can go a day without drinking.

when alcohol becomes a need and not a want then i'm sure thats when your in trouble.

but thats just what i think lol

[evedawn]

Ta to both of you -

[evedawn]

Got it (Leon-blank) but anyway there's nothing wrong with The Who.... (or the world health org either i guess) lol

[k9 fott]

I dont know as I am prissed.
No seriously folks I would class myself as a really heavey drinker or maybe it is just a habit.
Over the las few months I have learnt to wean myself of the habit. a few months ago I used to have a beer and a few large vodies an red bull 6 days a week I gradually reduced that by one day a week at a time and now only drink on fridays and saturdays and sundays but will cut the sundays out as well pretty soon
Right I am really sillyarsle going to bed now as I do have to catch the 5.15 train don i

[neo.]

I only really drink on weekends. I will binge drink on a Saturday
coz you cant go out on the town on Sat nite without having at least 8 drinks. I like Sunday afternoons aswell. May have 4 cans in the house on Fri nite.

My mate is alchoholic...altho wont admit it, He works nites,,,,and drinks heavily pretty much everyday in the afternoons. I can take it or leave it (but like a beer) whereas he has to drink every day...thats the diff. He says it helps him sleep. But drinks trebles every day at lunchtime,not just a couple of pints

[cazzz1975]

I think it also depends on the circumstances in which causes you to drink heavily in the first place, if you drink to gain confidence, cheer yourself up or when your stressed
then its highly likely that you could become an alcoholic (although most alcoholics deny their alcoholism even to themselves for a long time before they seek help)

it also depends on your personalities, some people have addictive personalities

[nursecarla]

I know of a guy who drinks quite a bit, hen i asked him why he said that he doesnt really like the taste of it but his mates all drink so he does, strange! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[cazzz1975]

a sheep then?

[Doc Spock]

I only drink on 2 occasions, when it is raining and when it is not. The Bar, as we speak, is open.

[nursecarla]

Yes exactly cazz :)))) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[trevHCS]

An alcoholic is someone who's body absolutely requires alcohol to function (ie: addicted) and goes through serious withdrawl problems when they don't get it. These can be anything from mood swings, depression, violance or hallucinations. Basically if you can't stop drinking, then you're alcoholic.

A heavy drinker is a bit vauge, but could be anything from an alcoholic to someone who drinks possibly more than is good for them. This includes binge drinking as long term that can cause serious liver damage. The act of being drunk means you've overloaded your liver.

As for alcoholics being drunk - that's not a requirement. I know someone who's an alcoholic, but regulates it throughout the day so they actually appear fairly "normal".

[Doc Spock]

There are many good reasons for drinking
and one more has just entered my head
if you can't have a drink whilst you're living
how the hell can you drink when you're dead.

[k9 fott]

Nice one doc agree with you again tottally

[Panic Button]

Plenty of alcoholics would class themselves just as heavy drinkers

[wiggal]

I drink far too much and its kinda habit really, im not as bad now as i was, last year i was drinking my way through a create of strongbow every weekend and drinking 5/6 pints every night.
I only drink strongbow and black, and its doing me no good, i can feel that its not!
But recently went 2 weeks without a drink and said i would carry on not drinking apart from weekends, but it didnt work :( now i drink 4/5 pints an evening.
But im very proud of myself to say at both my sisters hen night 2 weeks ago, and their wedding yesterday, i didnt get drunk, i drank but was still completely sober at the end of both :)

[Goodsoulette]

were the WHO a mod band??