Social Drinking

A social drinker typically:

• Drinks slowly.
• Knows when to stop drinking; doesn’t drink to get drunk.
• Eats before or while drinking.
• Never drives after drinking.
• Respects non-drinkers.
• Knows and obeys laws related to drinking.

Problem Drinking

A problem drinker typically:

• Drinks to get drunk.
• Tries to solve problems by drinking.
• Experiences changes in personality; may become loud, angry or violent or silent, remote or reclusive.
• Drinks when they shouldn't such as before driving, going to class or work.
• Causes others problems, such as harm to self, family, friends or strangers.

Alcoholism

An alcoholic typically:

• Spends a lot of time thinking about drinking and planning where and when to get the next drink.
• Keeps bottles hidden for quick pick-me-ups.
• Starts drinking without conscious planning and loses awareness of the amount consumed.
• Denies drinking.
• Drinks alone.
• Needs to drink before facing a stressful situation.
• May have "blackouts" – cannot remember what he or she did while drinking, although he or she may have appeared normal to people at the time.
• Goes from having hangovers to more dangerous withdrawal symptoms, such as delirium tremens (DTs), a sudden and potentially fatal change in mental and nervous-system function.
• Has or causes major problems – with police, an employer, family, or friends.

Last reviewed: November 2018