Could someone tell me if this drinking pattern is something to worry about?

[Bbtui]

3 times a week (normally weekend) drinking typically 12 units in an evening. Other days drinking typically 2 pints. And maybe one day off a week (although not every week, and to be honest the days off seem to be like such an “achievement” to be celebrated)
So 50-60 units a week typically I suppose

That's heavy drinking yes. The question is can they do without alcohol?

Yes they can do without alcohol. I have seen them manage this for 2 weeks. But then it’s back to the norm and a big relief and happiness when the 2 weeks are finished.

I just don’t like the feeling that alcohol has such a feature. And even if they are not drinking, I feel they are thinking about it and trying to resist.

Guidelines are maximum 14units a week for women,21 for men. Can manage 2 weeks without,that's alcohol dependence at the very least. Extremely bad and dangerous

So being able to manage for 2 weeks without isn’t particularly something to say that there isn’t a dependence there?

@Bbtui

So being able to manage for 2 weeks without isn’t particularly something to say that there isn’t a dependence there?

Problem drinkers can manage to abstain for weeks or months and many do so to try and convince themselves they don't have a dependence. The real key is what are they like when they want a drink but can't get hold of one. Because choosing to go a fortnight without a drink is one thing but then the time they decide it's ok to drink again and can't get hold of a drink will show their true colours.

@nannybeach

Guidelines are maximum 14units a week for women,21 for men. Can manage 2 weeks without,that's alcohol dependence at the very least. Extremely bad and dangerous

That advice changed. It's now 14 units for men too.

Is there a difference between alcoholic and alcohol dependency ?

@GoodnightGrandma

Is there a difference between alcoholic and alcohol dependency ?

My understanding is the word alcoholic has fallen out of use and is a label a person can only give to themselves. Alcohol misuse is on a spectrum from the person who sometimes has a bit more than recommended (me) to someone who is physically addicted. My ex went from being functioning to blacking out and having rages he couldn't remember (black out), so was progressing along that spectrum. If you google something like alcohol misuse spectrum, then recovery sites will come up and explain it in more detail.

Researching this has helped me deal with ex a lot.