Social Drinker or Alcoholic? Three Ways They Differ

Social drinker or alcoholic?

Three Ways They Differ

How can you know if you're a social drinkeror alcoholic? It’s not always easy to tell. But if you find yourself here reading this and wondering if you're an alcoholic or not, we encourage you to take our self-assessment and continue reading.

1. Social drinkers can stop drinking once they start

“One is fun. Two is plenty. Three is too many. Four is too few.”Unlike alcoholics, social drinkers have self control over when and how much they drink. They can attend a social function and have only one drink if they choose to. They can regulate their intake easily. They can stop at any time - and stay stopped. And there's no anxiety or restless craving when they do. An alcoholic can stop drinking; it's staying stopped that's the problem.An alcoholic, on the other hand, will continue drinking once started, often to drunkenness. Once started, an alcoholic cannot easily or consistently control his or her drinking even if they want to. This is a major distinction between someone who drinks socially, and someone suffering from the disease commonly called alcoholism.

2. Social drinkers don't fixate on drinking

When a social drinker visits friends, goes to a party, or attends other functions where alcohol is being served, usually their main goal is to socialize. If drinks are offered they might partake, but drinking is not the main event. It is almost irrelevant to the social drinker if alcohol is served or not. They are there to spend time with others, mingle, and have a good time among company.Alcoholics conversely obsess over drinking. When they plan their attendance at social gatherings, they organize their time at the event around drinking. They fixate on making sure they have a plentiful source that will last throughout the duration. Alcoholism is a sickness that entraps them, and essentially makes them a slave to drinking once begun. As the old saying goes, “first the man takes a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes the man.”

3. Social drinkers don't hide their drinking

Another aspect which differentiates social drinkers from alcoholics is they don’t cover up their drinking. Aska social drinker about his or her drinking, and you’re likely to get an honest answer without defensiveness. On the other hand, question an alcoholic’s drinking habits or over consumption, and you’re likely to be met with defensiveness, dishonesty, and even anger. Alcoholics will do everything in their power to conceal their alcohol abuse. In their mind, “getting caught” or “found out” is a source of shame and could mean losing their source of alcohol. For an addict, sadly, that is a terrifying consideration, despite the fact that it’s ultimately the best thing for them.If you can relate your situationto any of the above, it’s time to consider your future. If you can’t stop drinking once you start, if you obsesses over it, and/or feel uncomfortable or lie when confronted about it, it’s likely you have a problem and need help.

Ask yourself

These are only 3 of several indicators of alcoholism. Another rough guide to whether alcohol, or other drugs, have become a problem, is to ask yourself if you ever experience any negative consequences from drinking. If you find yourself picking up a drink despite having had negative consequences from drinking, then alcohol is definitely a problem for you.

If you wonder if you have a problem with alcohol, you can do an alcohol self assessment or answer twenty simple questions to see if alcohol is a significant problem in your life or if you are alcoholic.

Help is available

Fortunately, there is help available at Serenity Vista - the best help. Our world-class treatment programs offer a true life transformation and freedom from alcoholism. Here, you will recover from addiction and reclaim your life.