Is this an alcoholic?!
Question: This isn't a real situation by the way, but I'm just asking...
HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION:
Someone experiences grief, and abuses alcohol for a month or so.
Family check him/her into rehab.
When he/she comes out, they don't seem to have a craving for alcohol, and can drink it responsibly when they choose to.
They've never had drink problems in the past.
DOES THIS CONSTITUTE AN ALCOHOLIC?
Answers: This isn't a real situation by the way, but I'm just asking...
HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION:
Someone experiences grief, and abuses alcohol for a month or so.
Family check him/her into rehab.
When he/she comes out, they don't seem to have a craving for alcohol, and can drink it responsibly when they choose to.
They've never had drink problems in the past.
DOES THIS CONSTITUTE AN ALCOHOLIC?
It depends on how you define alcoholism.
AA or Alcoholics Anonymous is based upon the idea that once someone starts drinking enough that it affects their everyday life (they embarass themselves, others, don't perform well at work, damage their health) they are an alcoholic and cannot safely drink again in their lifetime.
Personally I think this isn't true. Someone who is an alcoholic at one point in their life doesn't necessarily mean they can't drink responsibly and not be addicted later on. However, I think that the reason behind a person's drinking shouldn't matter when it comes to whether they are an alcoholic or not. People become alcoholics for lots of reasons, but they all have the same problem.
In answer to your question I would say this person was an alcoholic at one point in time but has since recovered.
I would say no
No...they were grieving and turned to alcohol as a temporary escape.
Binge drinker not alcoholic
not necessarily. but will be in a matter of time
I wouldn't say it was, most alcoholics abuse alcohol for years and try to keep it hidden, 1 month of binge drinking just means there was a short term problem.
You would think no. But it does. There's not a time limit on becoming an alcoholic. My sister is a recovering alcoholic and she never gets cravings for it. Any abuse of alcohol counts.
after rehab,you are not supposed to drink at all,it will only exacerbate the situation and he/she will more than likely fall back into abusing alcohol again.If this person has admitted to having a problem,rehab is supposed to make them commit to a new lifestyle of no booze,drugs etc.So,if they come out of rehab and start drinking again,in any capacity,yes they are an alcoholic.
What you describe doesn't necessarily constitute an alcoholic, but certainly raises red flags. The part that catches my attention is "they don't seem to have a craving for alcohol, and can drink it responsibly when they choose to." If that's a declaration made by the person drinking and not by outsiders, I say it definitely increases the likelihood the person is an alcoholic.
No, they used alcohol to lean on in a crisis but were able to stop. They need to be careful in the future though. People who need a crutch should look out for which one they chose the last time.