Alcoholism vs Problem Drinking

[skatingguy]

I'm not an expert in the subject, but there seems to be a few people who are confusing the two terms in the thread about Katya Alexdrovskaya's death. So I'm posting this here in the hopes of moving that discussion away from the specifics of her death, and the issues that up to it.

What is the Difference between Problem Drinking and Alcoholism?

Alcoholics are addicted to alcohol. They are physically and mentally dependent on it. Alcoholics find it hard not to drink and struggle with dependency every day. Alcoholics can achieve sobriety, but they will always be an alcoholic and at risk for relapse. They will often relapse after just one drink, no matter how long they have been sober.

Problem drinkers are not physically dependent on alcohol. They can go days, week, or months without drinking, if they want to. If they abstain, they will not have detox symptoms. They may drink a lot, or they may drink occasionally. The issue problem drinkers have is that when they do drink, it causes an issue in their life or in the life of someone they know. They may say and do things that hurt others or themselves. Drinking is not a problem for these individuals, but it does create problems in their lives.

https://www.alcohol.org/alcoholism/or-is-it-just-a-problem/

 

[MacMadame]

I think this is a similar issue when it comes to eating. There is disordered eating, which many many figure skaters have and there are eating disorders which are much more serious, harder to treat and happen less often (though way too much IMO).

In most elite sports, there is this idea that if the athlete shows up and gets results, you don't rock the boat. You may try to help them but not necessarily to the point that you'd help them stop skating.

I think this is true whether their problem is full-blown alcoholism, eating disorder, drug addiction, etc.

I'm not even sure if it matters whether they have a problem vs. have an addiction. In both cases, intervention and help are needed and often not given due to the culture of sports.

 

[Japanfan]

I'm not even sure if it matters whether they have a problem vs. have an addiction. In both cases, intervention and help are needed and often not given due to the culture of sports.

Well the tee-totalers and 12 steppers would probably is does matter, as in their view the alcohol addict has a disease, whereas the problem drinker might not. However, in their view the problem drinker might also be seen an alcoholic.

I recognize that there are some people who simply can't stop at one drink, but find the self-medicating model to be of greater utility than the disease model.

Also, the definition of a problem drinker may vary. I don't think one can say that drinking is not a problem for someone if it causes problems to others.

There, there are some people who may drink daily, but don't drink to the point of intoxication, and are functional, responsible individuals. Opinions may differ on whether they are problem drinkers. I guess if their drinking poses a risk to their own health, they would be considered problem drinkers even if they did not cause harm to others.

 

[MacMadame]

Well the tee-totalers and 12 steppers would probably is does matter, as in their view the alcohol addict has a disease, whereas the problem drinker might not. However, in their view the problem drinker might also be seen an alcoholic.

I have many relatives that are addicts and many that abuse alcohol and drugs but aren't considered addicts. There are definitely times when it's a distinction in search of a difference.

 

[Japanfan]

I have many relatives that are addicts and many that abuse alcohol and drugs but aren't considered addicts. There are definitely times when it's a distinction in search of a difference.

But I think it also depends on the perspective of the individual. IMO a teetoler (sp?) 12 stepper might have a broader definition of addict/alcoholic than a non-teetotler, given that they define alcoholism as a progressive disease.

 

[MacMadame]

These words have medical definitions. So, no, if I'm a teetotaler, I don't get to say someone is an alcoholic because they drink wine with dinner.

 

[Japanfan]

So, no, if I'm a teetotaler, I don't get to say someone is an alcoholic because they drink wine with dinner.

Well, you do if you want to, and even if you're wrong.

I have a few teetotaler friends (two are sober alcoholics, one had a father who was an alcoholic). I go out for dinner with occasionnaly (we are a group of four and usually go out for each other's birthdays). I don't usually have a drink on those occasions.

The same group also usually goes out for New Year's Eve dinner. And I do have a glass of wine then. Last time, our order was much delayed, so I ended up ordered a second glass of wine while waited. Maybe I only remember my friend taking note of that second glass - in my perception, rather dissaprovingly!

 

[clairecloutier]

I came across this article that has a lot of interesting graphs and info about alcohol use in different countries:

Alcohol Consumption

Who consumes the most alcohol? How has consumption changed over time? And what are the health impacts?

ourworldindata.org

 

[MacMadame]

I came across this article that has a lot of interesting graphs and info about alcohol use in different countries:

Alcohol Consumption

Who consumes the most alcohol? How has consumption changed over time? And what are the health impacts?

ourworldindata.org

I think I should move to Africa.

Well, you do if you want to, and even if you're wrong.

Well technically I can say whatever I want on this subject. That doesn't make it so.

 

[skateycat]

The question reminded me of a story told by a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon Family Group.

The first phase of alcoholism is the fun phase.
The second stage of alcoholism is fun + problems.
The third stage of alcoholism is problems.

Some people can quit drinking by themselves when circumstances make their drinking really uncomfortable, like a DUI, losing a job or a relationship. And of those people, some of them might be able to go back to drinking moderately. But the rest of them figure that starting drinking again is too risky.

Some people need a 12 step program or other treatment in order to separate themselves from alcohol.

 

[Aussie Willy]

My father called himself a dry alcoholic. He didn't drink because when he used to drink he couldn't control himself. He recognised he had a problem, got help and stopped.

 

[antmanb]

I came across this article that has a lot of interesting graphs and info about alcohol use in different countries:

Alcohol Consumption

Who consumes the most alcohol? How has consumption changed over time? And what are the health impacts?

ourworldindata.org

I found that really interesting to look at. The UK has a very strong drinking culture built around socialising. My brother in law decided many years ago that he didn't want to drink alcohol, it's not borne out of a problem with it, it's a simple life choice. The amount of vitriol (and I don't use that word lightly) that he used to get because of his choice not to drink was unbelievable.

I also have a friend that goes on "clean living" bouts where she gives up alcohol, and I've seen people, even acquaintances really aggressively question her decision to not drink alcohol ("you're no fun", "why are you being like that") as if their own capacity to enjoy a social situation is conditional upon every person around them being drunk.

I also think it's far more acceptable in the UK for people to be falling down drunk and it's just shrugged off as a "good night". It's almost a rite of passage for an underage teenager to drink so much they pass out and vomit - a "lesson learned" for the future to know what their limits may be.

 

[Matryeshka]

A really good friend of mine is an alcoholic (sober 2.5 years) and I remember when she started getting help because I started thinking about my own relationship with alcohol and how plans would need to be changed to support my friend. It really did get me thinking "why is this an issue FOR ME?" Why should it be weird and/or difficult to have a game night and just drink Cokes? Why do we feel we have to drink for it to be a weekend? It really did make me think about how something like wine can define your evening, especially for women where it's just assumed OF COURSE Rose all day. Why does a happy hour have to include a drink? Shouldn't it be a happy hour because the work day is over, you're with friends and/or family? It was an interesting conversation with myself.

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

A really good friend of mine is an alcoholic (sober 2.5 years) and I remember when she started getting help because I started thinking about my own relationship with alcohol and how plans would need to be changed to support my friend. It really did get me thinking "why is this an issue FOR ME?" Why should it be weird and/or difficult to have a game night and just drink Cokes? Why do we feel we have to drink for it to be a weekend? It really did make me think about how something like wine can define your evening, especially for women where it's just assumed OF COURSE Rose all day. Why does a happy hour have to include a drink? Shouldn't it be a happy hour because the work day is over, you're with friends and/or family? It was an interesting conversation with myself.

Thanks for sharing that, and good for you for having that conversation. It certainly is possible (and I speak from experience) for habits to slowly and gradually turn into problems which can grow to be beyond one's control.