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Alcoholic or not, You Still Don't Have to Drink

answered 08:15 PM EST, Sun April 07, 2013

-- filed under: Alcohol Addiction | Alcohol abuse | Alcoholism

anonymous

I do not know if I have alcoholism or not. I have no problem not drinking at all. I have not had a drink of alcohol for just about 3 months and it is not even a big deal. So I can take it or leave it. But if I do start drinking for whatever reason then I have a hard time drinking a glass or two a day. I will start drinking 6 beers or more everyday and I will think about drinking a lot. So I think this is unhealthy which is why I stopped this latest time. So am I an alcoholic?

Jim LaPierre Says...

J. LaPierre

LCSW, CCS

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I commend you for being concerned and I think you already know the answer. I can give you my opinion, which in short is, "yes." Then I'll give you my longer answer which is that:

1. There are at least a couple dozen types of alcoholism (perhaps hundreds)

2. No one has the right to label anyone an alcoholic except themselves

3. A clinician like me can diagnose a person as having a problem abusing alcohol or diagnose alcohol dependence. This is a fine line but in my opinion it's a line that matters.

4. Like the subject line reads - whether you're an alcoholic or not, you don't ever have to drink.

5. If using alcohol causes a person to have problems (thinking about it all the time, not being able to drink in moderation then they have a problem with alcohol.

Stay dry - look at what could be improved in your life and improve it. Add something cool to your life

Good luck!

Alcoholic or not, You Still Don't Have to Drink

Jim LaPierre Says...

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