What is an alcoholic?

[SadVillageGirl]

My partner drinks 4 pints every lunchtime and at the weekends anything from zero to 15 pints (or spirits). This has been every single week for about a year. If I show concern or ask him about his drinking he gets angry and closes the conversation down, or walks off. He said he had to drink because his colleagues do and he will look weak if he doesn't. When he's with his friends he's a happy drunk but when he's with me he gets aggressive, brings up stuff from the past and is rude. When I asked if he was worried about his drinking he got angry.

OP...my understanding is that heavy long term drinking can permanently alter a persons brain chemistry relationship with alcohol and it is a permanent change. Many alcoholics experience a crave....can be triggered by the ingredient in its most basic form like a hand gel or a tiny bit of alcohol in a chocolate. The craves are strong. If an alcoholic has a drink in response to the crave, one drink isn't enough. Alcoholics often drink very rapidly.

If drinking doesn't happen, the alcoholic suffers unpleasant physical withdrawal symptoms which are eleviated by drinking ....often late night alone or morning. He should attend an AA meeting....go along, they are very nice inspiring people - have an open mind. You don't have to say anything just listen and learn. Their stories might echoe with your partners.