'he's a drunk!'

[Booldawg]

Last night my wife was talking about a friends ex who was abusive to her. She said 'and he's a drunk'.

It got me thinking - what is a drunk? Is it the same as an alcoholic or someone who likes to get drunk a bit more often than the national average? (whatever that is)

[naomi24]

I agree initially with Cazz, and then with Sandy. I've known some lovely drunks - the drunker they get, the soppier they become. Sadly, I've known the other type too. :o(

Not all drunks are nasty - but all drunks are habitually drunk.

[Andyvon]

My first wife was a violent alcoholic. She used to drink a 1 litre bottle of Martini a day and sometimes 2 litres. Within half an hour of starting to drink her expression changed, she started glaring then picking on anyone around her. She often started throwing things around and smashing things and the neighbours called the police numerous times. They used to come mob-handed to take her away! Twice she put me in A&E by throwing a kettle over me!

However, I never saw her drunk! Can you see the difference Bookdawg? A drunk is some idiot who staggers about vomiting and rolling around in the street. That's just someone who's had too much to drink. An alcoholic NEEDS to consume alcohol on a regular basis to function. Their character might change but you will rarely see them incapacitated. Nor will an outsider see that person drunk or smelling of drink. In fact, one in thirteen of the adult population is an alcoholic. Almost everyone knows at least one alcoholic - they just don't recognise them as so as they never see them drunk.

[ummmm]

No....an alcoholic 'needs' to have a drink. A drunk just drinks too much...and imo opinion, their nasty side comes out.

[ummmm]

Well yeah....

I still think the term is used in a derogatory manner. Not just for someone who has drank too much....

I used to actually like my Dad getting p!ssed....that was the time to ask him for stuff :-)

And my gramps....got a few school trips out of him...

[jno]

I think it's more than that, Trim - you've got to be drunk *a lot*.

[boxtops]

I don't really differentiate, if you drink too much, whether you are addicted or not, you drink too much. IMO a drunkard is the one you see sitting in the street or staggering up the road - an alcoholic can often disguise their habit cleverly.