Why Problem Drinkers Arent Always Alcoholics

Why Problem Drinkers Arent Always Alcoholics Addiction Alcohol Use Binge Drinking Print Not All Problem Drinkers Are Alcoholics By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Updated on September 20, 2019 Cultura / Seb Oliver / Getty Images   More in Addiction Alcohol Use Binge Drinking Withdrawal and Relapse Children of Alcoholics Drunk Driving Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery Many people who fall into the category of problem drinker arent alcoholics. In order to quit drinking, they do not necessarily need medical treatment, peer group support, or a spiritual awakening. In fact, most of the people who decide  to stop drinking do so without any outside help. They simply make up their minds to stop or modify their drinking patterns. Many one-time heavy drinkers merely grow up and change their behaviors. Others may have a particularly embarrassing or frightening experience and swear off alcohol. It bears repeating, however, that these people are probably not alcoholics. A survey by the University of Toronto revealed that more than 70 percent of recovered problem drinkers said they overcame their alcohol troubles without formal treatment. A similar study in the United States by psychiatrist George Vaillant, at Cambridge Hospital in Massachusetts, reported that 75 percent of people who either quit or cut down on drinking  did so without the  benefit of treatment or Alcoholics Anonymous. How Alcoholics Anonymous Works These findings are consistent with  studies  indicating  that 80 to 90 percent of successful quitters give up smoking  without professional help.  So, if you have a drinking problem, there is a chance that you can do something about it without expensive medical help and  attending meetings. Even  daily drinkers may not actually be suffering from the disease of alcoholism, according to these studies. Such a drinker may need initial medical assistance to get through the detoxification period but may be able to remain sober after detox without further assistance. Remember: giving up alcohol without medical intervention (going cold turkey) can be dangerous. If your body has become chemically dependent on the substance, you should get help. Dont try to stop on your own. Willpower If you think that you are a problem  drinker but not an alcoholic, and you would sincerely like to cut back or quit drinking, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has some tools that might be helpful.  You may take  a questionnaire to help determine if you are drinking too much, learn the reasons you should cut down, and review a tool for setting personal goals. You can also use a sample drinking diary to review how much  you actually drink to set goals for cutting back or stopping entirely. Should You Drink Less or Quit Drinking? The NIAA also provides tips to help you meet your goal, such as watching how much alcohol you keep around the house. You can also learn to drink slowly, take a break from alcohol at certain times, and say no when drinking opportunities arise. Powerless For people  who are,  in fact, alcoholics  all the willpower and self-resolve in the world will not help  them defeat  the  disease.  Folks  who have tried repeatedly to curtail or quit drinking and found that they simply cannot  surely require outside help to do so, either from the treatment center industry or from a self-help program or  recovery program  such as AA. Support is also available  for the families of people with  a drinking problem, regardless of whether the drinker is an alcoholic or  a problem drinker. If someone elses drinking has posed challenges for you, there are resources available to help you find peace. Resources for Families of Alcoholics