Should there be a word for an 'almost alcoholic'?

[Jazzy]

Everybody thinks they know what an "alcoholic" is, but what about those who drink too much but fall short of the common definitions of alcoholism? Should there be a word that bridges the gap between alcoholic and non-alcoholic?

The term alcoholic - on its own to denote someone addicted to alcohol - was first used in 1852 in the Scottish Temperance Review.

Since then, millions of heavy drinkers have been confronted by friends and families with the stark question: "Are you an alcoholic?"

And millions have denied it. Rejected the label. Confessed only to maybe, possibly drinking too much. But utterly denied the A-word.

There are other words for people who drink a lot. There is everything from the lightly derogatory "lush" to the more flowery "bibulous" to the prosaic "heavy drinker".

But there is nothing as succinct as alcoholic. And some believe that this gap has an effect.

Professionals have started using other terms that would not be as negative as alcoholic because "many doctors feel that it is quite difficult to engage a patient if you talk to them about alcoholism", says Dr Sarah Jarvis, a consultant for Patient.co.uk.

In their book Almost Alcoholic, Robert Doyle and Joseph Nowinski identify five signs that someone may be an "almost alcoholic":

1. You continue to drink despite at least some negative consequences
2. You look forward to drinking.
3. You drink alone.
4. You sometimes drink in order to control emotional and/or physical symptoms.
5. You and your loved ones are suffering as a result of your drinking

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Do you have any or all of the "almost alcoholic" signs?

 

[DrLeftover]

There is a term for an "almost alcoholic": Congressman.

 

[Bea Sunny (:]

No I don't have.

 

[~KAGE-008]

Nope. I do drink eggnog though, but only during the holiday season. Btw last Sunday, I drank cider, which came from a wine bottle.

 

[DrLeftover]

On the symptom list, I only have number 4.

And, I shall point out, Bourbon has fewer side effects than the dopey pain pills the two doctors I've seen recently have prescribed.

Oxyco... whatever in the hell it is, made me 1. Constipated. 2. Gave me chills. 3. and as it wore off, I got dizzy.

The other one caused very realistic, and sometimes violent, nightmares, as well as causing an unpleasant tingling in my extremities.

And both had a list of medicinal side effects that even included, after long term use- hair loss, kidney and liver failure, and loss of sexual function.

Pass the booze.

 

[Raven]

In their book Almost Alcoholic, Robert Doyle and Joseph Nowinski identify five signs that someone may be an "almost alcoholic":

1. You continue to drink despite at least some negative consequences
2. You look forward to drinking.
3. You drink alone.
4. You sometimes drink in order to control emotional and/or physical symptoms.
5. You and your loved ones are suffering as a result of your drinking

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Do you have any or all of the "almost alcoholic" signs?

1 - 4
I don't consider me or my family to be suffering.

I know what an alcoholic is, I saw it EVERY DAY growing up. I saw and felt the effects, and I am NOT like that. Nor will I ever be.

 

[Evil Eye]

No signs, perhaps unsurprisingly.

I don't consider me or my family to be suffering.

Probably the most important part.

 

[Sinon]

2, 3, and 4. I do drink socially though, I just occasionally can't be bothered going out so I just buy in something and drink at home.

Really, that's better than making an ass out of myself in public.

 

[Kirito]

All except for 5. Yet I don't drink a lot at all.

...The signs are flawed.

 

[Raven]

I think the more accurate sign would be to say how many units they think makes an 'almost alcoholic'!