Can any one seriously explain the difference between 'having a drink problem' and being an 'alcholic' and what makes one person an alcholic and not another ?

Bill W.

Alcholism is a disease. Sadly the people with the afflication are addicted to the strong beverage and cannot function without it. More often than not they are drunk or in great pain. People who are close to them--family and friends--also suffer tremendously. 'Having a drinking problem' is usually the same thing. Why some people are alcholic and some people aren't is not clear, but it is probably genetics. There is no known cure for alcholism, however it can be treated. At this point, the most effective treatment is participation in the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. Aug 25 02, 1:15 PM

ajdale

There are different kinds of drink problems. Some people are binge drinkers, so they're not drunk all the time like alcholics but drink excessively from time to time. Aug 25 02, 4:00 PM

Dr. Bob

One of the biggest problems with the alcholic is denial. So instead of admitting their alcholism they will fiercely deny that they are alcholics and say that they just have 'a drinking problem'. Aug 26 02, 1:37 AM

Gnomon

It is not universally accepted that alcoholism is a disease. Some people feel that everybody has the potential to become an alcoholic in certain circumstances. It is an addiction and can be treated like any other addiction. Aug 26 02, 7:38 AM

Donnar999

People with a 'drink problem' don't have to go to meetings. Sep 09 02, 3:44 PM

Jac	There are degrees of validity for 'a drink problem' - my brother has a problem in that drinking makes him very ill (even one glass). Sep 09 02, 6:09 PM