Are You Alcohol Dependent?

[jackspratt]

Based on the criteria below, where do you see yourself in relation to your alcohol intake?

DSM-IV Criteria for Alcohol Abuse:

1. A maladaptive pattern of alcohol abuse leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one or more of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:
2. Recurrent alcohol use resulting in failure to fulfil major role obligations at work, school, or home (e.g., repeated absences or poor work performance related to substance use; substance-related absences, suspensions or expulsions from school; or neglect of children or household).
3. Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g., driving an automobile or operating a machine).
4. Recurrent alcohol-related legal problems (e.g., arrests for alcohol-related disorderly conduct).
5. Continued alcohol use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the alcohol (e.g., arguments with spouse about consequences of intoxication or physical fights).

These symptoms must never have met the criteria for alcohol dependence.

DSM-IV Criteria for Alcohol Dependence:

A maladaptive pattern of alcohol use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three or more of the following seven criteria, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:

1. Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
- A need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect.
- Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol.
2. Withdrawal, as defined by either of the following:
- The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for alcohol (refer to DSM-IV for further details).
- Alcohol is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
3. Alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.
4. There is a persistent desire or there are unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.
5. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain alcohol, use alcohol or recover from its effects.
6. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use.
7. Alcohol use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the alcohol (e.g., continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption).

American Psychiatric Association. 1994. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.) (DSM-IV). Washington, D.C.: APA.

The poll is anonymous (unless you choose to explain you vote), so you can be honest with yourself.

[jackspratt]

I like a beer pretty much every night, but I know I can stop any time I want.

[Laan Yaa Mo]

My answer is a resounding no since I do not drink alcohol at all.

However, I do have diabetes, varicose veins and the heartbreak of psoriasis.

[Laan Yaa Mo]

I like a beer pretty much every night, but I know I can stop any time I want.

Have you tried to stop?

[jackspratt]

I like a beer pretty much every night, but I know I can stop any time I want.

Have you tried to stop?

Yes ........ many times.













And have succeeded each time. =D>

[Jing Jing]

Alcoholism is a family heredity problem - luckily I have spared myself of its curse and have avoided over consumption. There are many who are alcoholic but have been able to mask all the public negative consequences. There are loud noisy drunks and then there are quiet drunks.

[Jet]

I'm not sure what the point of this post is - alcohol leading to family violence & other violence, aggression etc etc are a problem for some drinkers. However there are underlying issues that explain the behaviour that need treatment / counseling. Most of us drink; sometimes to excess without any great concern apart from the occasional sore head. As far as could I stop? I don't want to stop. I don't drive under the influence, become unusually aggressive, etc etc when drinking. Most of us enjoy a few drinks without any major concerns. I don't smoke but I am not about to tell those that do to butt out - they know what the health concerns are - let them enjoy their cigarette outdoors or in their own space.

[mortiboy]

You know,I've been drinking since I was 18. I'm now 73.
Average drinking half a bottle, to 2/3 a evening ever since been Thailand(18 years)
Im healthy except aches and pains as norm for my age.
Then I cut out coke (always drunk whisky with coke.)
Then drank it with soda. UGH! But I did it.
Through no will power at all.
Now, for two months,Cut down to one or two drinks a evening
But tonight, I have been to a party.
Drunk 2/3 bottle whisky. Not peed at all.
Tomorrow I will be back to one or two drinks.

[GT93]

I'm not sure what alcohol dependent means. I used to drink 1 to 2 nights a week when I was younger. Now it's 3 to 5 nights. I'd need to record it to know. It would take a big effort to reduce it although I know when I exercise at say a gym after work that I drink fewer evenings per week. After a session at the gym alcohol is the last thing on my mind. Doing that makes it easy to cut back.

I understand the current science says moderate consumption of alcohol seems to have some health benefits for most people.

[old-timer]

OT could easily have said yes to options 1,2, or 3 at sometime during the past. Sometimes even being borderline options 1 and 2 for months on end and that was sometimes good fun and sometimes out of control.
Nowdays its option 4 and has been for a few months. Hopefully I'll stay here and maybe go to option 3 sometime in the future. Hope I never go back to options 1 or 2 again, anyway I think I'm too old for that now.

OT..................

[dezzer]

I think iv'e Got a drink problem, because iv'e only got one mouth,[quote][ These bars are dedicated to those splendid gentlemen who make drinking a pleasure and can reach contentment before capacity and can remain standing , gentlemen I =D> you.

[Aardvark]

I was always told that if you have to question your own drinking habits, you probably have a problem. But if someone else questions your drinking habits, they have a problem

[Shado]

[stattointhailand]

My wife seems to think I am .......... but I don't know why

Just coz when she asked me to toast some bread, I stood up and said

"ladies & gentlemen please raise your glasses for .... some bread" and downed me glass of whisky

Can't understand what her problem was, didn't speak to me for hours

[pomps]

Maybe sometimes,due for a detox session soon
Milk thistle does help IMO

[Bonanza]

You know,I've been drinking since I was 18. I'm now 73.
Average drinking half a bottle, to 2/3 a evening ever since been Thailand(18 years)
Im healthy except aches and pains as norm for my age..

I can relate to you Mortiboy. Unfortunately I have an addiction to soda water, and the only way I can take it is diluted 50/50 with Scotch. However, as I understand that alcohol is both an antiseptic and antibacterial it probably keeps the germs away, so no harm done

[Drunk Monkey]

i love booze in all its forms ....i think everyone on planet Earth should be enforced to consume at least 2 liters of Alochol every day ,,,, this a proven fact by scientists the world over , STRONG ALCOHOL (notabley Belgian beers)can boost your sex drive , reduce hairloss , and even make fat ugly women look pretty to point of actually marrying them and building a HOUSE and buying the brother a truck ...SO .

The Udon TAP Taste House really is the place to ........ "taste the differecne"

DM

[@Thesportsbar]

DM you are correct I studied Chemistry at Uni and Alcohol is a Solution

[dezzer]

To be taken twice daily in large doses