How do you define alcoholism?

[MariaVonBratt]

Just curious really.

Alcoholism is a touchy topic on MN. There are a lot of people who seem to think anyone who drinks often has a problem and I don't agree but I do think I probably overdo it. I can polish off a bottle wine 3-4 nights a week, sometimes more. I do it because I enjoy it but if there is a reason I can't drink (driving somewhere, busy, unwell) it's not a problem to me. I compare it to eating too much chocolate - it's not good for my heath and I try to diet but I enjoy it so I keep coming back.

In my view addiction is categorised by behaviour and dependence not volume. What do you think?

An alcoholic is powerless in the face of alcohol
An alcoholic drinks to change the way they feel.
If you think you have a problem with alcohol, you probably do.

An alcoholic isn't always powerless in the face of alcohol. Many dependent people have faced down alcohol for the rest of their lives.