Alcohol - How much do you drink?

[Epona]

How many units of alcohol do you consume a week?

1 glass wine = one unit
1 shot spirits = one unit
1 pint normal beer = 2 units
1 pint strong beer = 3 units

I've put this in GD rather than polls because I would like a discussion about excessive consumption. I worked out that I had over 60 units last week. How dangerous is that?

Is it possible to be a heavy drinker without being an alcoholic? And what is the difference?

EDIT: Bollocks, the thread title should have been "How much do you drink?"

[ 06-10-2002, 02:35 PM: Message edited by: Mouse ]

[SomeGuy]

I don't drink now if root beer counts.............

[Cloudbringer]

I chose 1-10 but it's usually more like 0-1 [img]smile.gif[/img] I don't really tend to drink alcoholic beverages on a regular basis. More like special events, parties or the occasional whim.

Yes, I think if you check medical journals you will find it is possible to drink heavily and even be considered an alcohol abuser without actually being 'alcoholic' as in physically dependent on the substance, but I'm no specialist.

When I was in the Service my rating would have been much higher, but I got tired of being drunk and sick the next morning so like Cloudy said I put 1-10 but it is more like 0-1, I only drink on special occasions.

I don't see anything particularly dignified or great about heavy drinking, on the other hand if the only person you are hurting is your self....knock yourself out [img]smile.gif[/img] (Just don't drink and drive)

[Jorath Calar]

Well I stopped drinking last January, I think I have had 2 beers since then... I'm bored.

But if you had asked me 6 months ago... it would have been avearge 2 6packs a week... I'm glad I quit... [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Epona]

Originally posted by MagiK: I don't see anything particularly dignified or great about heavy drinking, on the other hand if the only person you are hurting is your self....knock yourself out [img]smile.gif[/img] (Just don't drink and drive)

Well I certainly wasn't saying it to boast! I counted up and was a bit shocked to tell the truth. And I don't even have a drivers license, so no worries there.

[MILAMBER]

During the week I really only have a beer after a meal or something. Every once in awhile I will meet the guys for a few drinks after work on a weekday. Weekends, however are an entirely different story. On a good night out with the guys I'll have between 10-30 beers and a couple of shots with the odd captain and coke. This is stretched out all night mind you - between say 9 PM to 4-5 AM.

Originally posted by Epona: quote: Originally posted by MagiK: I don't see anything particularly dignified or great about heavy drinking, on the other hand if the only person you are hurting is your self....knock yourself out [img]smile.gif[/img] (Just don't drink and drive)

Well I certainly wasn't saying it to boast! I counted up and was a bit shocked to tell the truth. And I don't even have a drivers license, so no worries there.[/QUOTE]NONONONONO Im sorry Epona, I did not mean for that remark to sound like It was addressing you Sorry. I am trying to be more precise but it doesnt always work...I know some people who really act like it is a big eal that they can drink a case of beer all by them selves....You never seemed to come accross like that to me... Sorry for the miscue there

[Attalus]

My favorite definition of the difference between being an alcoholic and just a drinker is:
If drinking doen't interfere with your work, you're just a drinker.
If drinking does interfere with your work, you have a problem.
If work interferes with your drinking, you're an alcoholic.

Thinking about the alcoholic vs alchol abuser...how can you tell if you are an acohol abuser and not just an alcoholic or vice versa?