Does drinking a bottle of wine every night make you an alcoholic?

[LyraSilvertongue]

I ask because I was having a conversation about drink with a (male) colleague and he says he drinks a bottle a night. I was a bit . He's quite small, shorter than me, so the men can drink more thing doesn't really apply. Do you think he's addicted?

rubbing alcohol? Is that like drinking lighter fuel?

Prior to DD, working in the media industry, being in my early 20s I would easily drink a bottle (often two) a night most nights of the week. I wasn't an alcohlic, just a pisshead who went out alot on expenses!

I think it's very circumstance dependent, I know lots of people who drink like DSM does and I used to, none of whom I would consider alcoholics!

I'm beginning to see the difference hr, between needing a drink and wanting a drink.
I can't honestly ever remember needing alcohol, but I've certainly wanted it, esp after a difficult day with DC.

god kerrymum, that's sad. Was that a while ago? I'm kind of thinking supermarket booze is so cheap now there's always an alternative to rubbing alcohol...might be wrong though...

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And imagine how much heavier her purse would be if she cut back, Pruners!

Immagine what they spend on 2 bottles a night.

Blimey!

My sister and her partner drink at least a bottle a night each. They would refuse to even consider that they were alcoholics or even "had a drink problem". Having spent some time with them recently I would say however that they definitely do have a problem. They do hold down jobs but ANY spare time is spent sleeping (as they are up late drinking), she has become obese (though doesn't eat a lot), he has high blood pressure, they have no motivation to do anything other than stay in their flat drinking. They both look really unhealthy. To me, if your drinking habit does that to you, you have a problem.

Do you really think it is sad? That they have a hobby, or interest that they enjoy so much?

I don't. The elderly couple across the road from me love gardening and washing their car. Not my cup of tea, but they do it together, almost daily. I also know that they go to bridge together twice a week, and he boules, and she goes along.

I can't imagine they would want to contemplate the idea of not being able to do any of these things any more, and not sure why it would be sad that they enjoy it.

Some people enjoy a few drinks together, some enjoy chess, some enjoy eating takeaways, some enjoy potholing, some enjoy bungee jumping.. some things are dangerous/unhealthy, some are not.

Why do people judge so much what other people choose to do with their own lives? I honestly cannot understand it. What other people do really, really does not mean a thing to me. I hope they are enjoying themselves, and that is as far as my interest goes.

Until someone looks like they may need help, for god sake leave them alone! Live, and let live.

iv drnuk a hel ofa ltot tonigt

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With the credit crisis on, if you can afford it, go for it whilst you can!

Hey coping, I've drunk a fair bit too

DSM, was the 'sad' in reference to my comment? I meant it was sad to drink rubbing alcohol in the absence of booze in the house. Hope that didn't come across wrong, I'm the last person to be remonstrating about alcohol!

I think drinking socially, if you can take it or leave it when you're not out, is a blissful state to be in!! This is how I used to be and how I long to be again.

I'm not the 'alcoholic' that Kerrymum describes (poor woman Kerrymum ) but I do feel dependent on alcohol. I guess that's the difference.

No gerbra - it was to pruners

I doubt if anywhere you'll find a def. of an alcoholic.

The analysis that I come across quite often is the 4 indicators of the effect it is having on your life i.e. health,wealth,work, and relationships.

Never miding defs. of 'alcoholic', if these things are adversely affected by your consumption, then you have a 'problem' and an unhealthy relationship with alchohol.

3 of them are pretty clear earlier than the 4th, health. One's liver is a pretty fantastic thing, but even that will collapse in time to come.

also, bear in mind, people who 'drink too much' ALWAYS under-report their consumption.

I'm guessing the poor woman Kerrymum talks about on her estate is your typical alcoholic that ticks all the boxes.

I think it's quite dangerous to use the term 'alcoholic' as you can think 'well, I'm not pissing in the street, I'm okay then'... 'I'm holding down my job and relationships, I'm okay then'.

At the end of the day though, if you're drinking too much, your liver and god knows what else will pack up, 'I'm not okay then'

And I'm not talking from the moral high ground, I drink too much. Just don't want anyone to think I'm preaching

dsm is making me pine a little for the days in which i was a heavyweight. oh the fun i used to have... the amounts you mention dont sound all that much to me. not for a night out when youre used to drinking.

my nan was an alcoholic. a v elegent one, not like KM's ones at all. v sociable and upbeat. she would have her first glass or two by about 10am. died of cirrhosis of the liver at 70. nasty way to go, but to be expected really considering the amount she put away. was a broken heart that killed her really tho (long story).

was worried about my mum for a bit. she was doing a bottle or two of red a day/night and half a bottle of jack daniels every day. as a basic. more on nights out. she has reeled in a bit since then, mind.

im always aware it could become a problem for me, but havnt felt it to be so, so far.

The degree of reletavism in this debate is frightening.

Don't trust the govenment. Dont trust the NHS. Great. Lets hear you say that when you need them. fools

gosh mt, you sound v saintly. i bet you never do anything remotely unhealthy.

Sorry mt?

Whoever said don't trust the NHS?