What is a Alcoholic? - Are you a drunk? - alcoholic's Blog - Bakersfield.com

Mar 3, 2008 at 09:03 PM : An alcohlic is a...

An alcohlic is a person for which 1 drink is too much and 40 is not enough.

They drink for effect and not for taste. IE Drink to feel better, stronger, more macho or make hurt more tolerable, the best way to have fun.

If the more you drink the more you want or the less you care, beware.

Mar 3, 2008 at 10:03 PM : The AA...

The AA saying is that one drink is too many and a thousand's not enough.

I knew an old fella once who used to be a regular at the bar and grill I was a partner in and would straight out tell you he was an alcoholic. He told me that he could go months without drinking but when he did, he would drink until he'd had enough.

Problem was, in the years I knew him I never saw him not drink. Guess I missed the dry months somehow.

Mar 3, 2008 at 10:03 PM : Nancy there...

Nancy there is another AA saying that go's......It's the first drink that gets you drunk...........

Mar 3, 2008 at 11:03 PM : I don't...

I don't mean to be an English Gestapo, but the heading should read an alcoholic, not a alcoholic. Now onto matters less trivial. I believe that the disease concept is problematic. When you say somebody has a disease, it can have the opposite effect of empowering that person. The disease model is partially accurate, but there are aspects of alcoholism that do not fit the disease model.

I also have a problem with the old "I'm an alcoholic thing." Yes, it cuts through the denial, but it leads a person to perceive the sum total of his/her identity as tied to something unhealthy. That's unhealthy.

Mar 4, 2008 at 06:03 AM : I used to...

I used to get asked all the time if I believed in the explanation that people are predisposed to alcoholism. My simple answer to that was "the jury is still out on that one" because I'm not convinced it's true. It's awfully easy for someone to say "my grandfather was an alcoholic, my father was an alcoholic so I'm an alcoholic." It kind of takes the personal responsibility out of the equation.

The rational thing would be when someone realizes there's a history of problem drinkers in their family, they would be especially vigilant. Some are and it never becomes a problem for them. Some aren't, become alcoholics, and then use it as an excuse.

My feeling is that there may be a tendency toward addiction wired into some people but it doesn't always manifest itself in drug or alcoholic addictions.

Mar 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM : But Nancy,...

But Nancy, you have just "fomented" in the fertile punkin a new AA phrase:

"Somewhere between one and a thousand is that "just right" number! Gonna keep a tryin' 'till I find 'er!"

Mar 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM : Wuz...

Wuz huntin' wif a dude oncet

He got us stuck

Said he'd just call AA

I allowed as to how I didn't know they provided that kind of service

He said "Oh I meant Triple A!"

I just had to ask "when did they git autos?"

Mar 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM : Chico...You...

Chico...You might not want to use that one at AA but I see your logic. LOL.

Mar 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM : Well, ya...

Well, ya know Nan, them AA jokes are like Tea Bags

They work for sh*t until yer in hot water!

Mar 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM : I'm a...

I'm a Irish man Scotsman Indian and prune picker I have a nak for Bud

Mar 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM : One of my favorite AA...

One of my favorite AA sayings:

"Consumption of alcohol may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter and more handsome than some really, really big mean guy named Bubba Jamaal."

Mar 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM : OK Ron. Now...

OK Ron. Now were a talkin

As long as the Bud is in reference to an adult libation commonly a concoction of fermented hops & barley (rice in the case of brand name Bud) your OK

If its a dude name Bud............

See sf

Mar 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM : Chico Chico...

Chico Chico now why would you think that I did joke with my buddies one day golfing I said I've been married 47 years Hell what would be wrong trying the other side

I could do what most women do just have the dude pay for everything and no touching ok ok a JOKE

Mar 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM : I dont even...

I dont even let my Doc put on the rubber glovey thing my Booty is for one thing

Mar 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM : I have 5 siblings...

I have 5 siblings and non of them are alcoholic. I believe I was born an Alcoholic. I had a problem drinking from my very first drink. I don't believe that Alcoholism is a disease. I think Alcoholism is more like an allergy.

Mar 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM : Another golf...

Another golf joke

We were teeing off and one of the guys ( a real Good Ol' Boy Bubba so you knew it was just a joke, kinda like in your case)

We started a talkin' about just what you said and real serious he turned to the guy just teeing off and said:

"Well.......... I guess it'd be OK....... .................just as long as I could be the guy doin the "giving" "

The dude couldn't tee off !!

Mar 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM : Of course...

Of course you only have to worry Ron if the Doc has BOTH hands on yer shoulders!

Mar 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM : Yep sounds...

Yep sounds like our group and still laughing

Mar 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM : I hate them...

I hate them allergies Gube

I know a lotta kids today are allergic

to work...............

Mar 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM : My wife says...

My wife says check out his hands I said I dont how small they are if there on my shoulders

Mar 4, 2008 at 07:03 AM : Unless, of...

Unless, of course, the good Doc has that Ch 8 weather girl as an assistant

Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM : My first...

My first marriage was to an alcoholic. Of course I didn't KNOW he was an alcoholic at the time or never would have married him! His dad was an alcoholic, his older brother and one of his sisters were alcoholics. They literally HAD to have that drink every day. My ex was actually a 'functional' alcoholic. He was in the Marines and, of course, had a 'day job' but he managed to drink and still do his job. at 5pm he would really hit the base bar. The end of the marriage was when he came home drunk one night and beat the hell out of me.................I almost killed him and THAT scared the hell out of me as I had never been pushed so far as to really want to take another humans life. Filed for divorce the next day. My daughter does not drink - at all, ever.

Second marriage....married 37 years this year! Do we have our toddys? you bet, but not to excess.....well maybe now & again!!! That said, we have never been hurtful or hateful......cranky & stupid! ya!

Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM : We were...

We were golfing once with a guy that kept slicing like a damn banana

When we got to this one tee where there were some condos with dogs to the right of us, he got up to tee box and every damn dog in the complex started a howlin

One of the guys quietly told him

"They've seen you play"

Again, he could barely tee off. Of coors when he did, he sliced it right into them condos!

Then the rest of us had a hard time tee'in off!

Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM : Wit, it took...

Wit, it took me a long time to learn to carry on without gettin "carried away"

Like my wife sez:

"you can be the funniest and funnest guy around, and you are when you start drinkin' too........ but when you get to that certain point....... ya gets mean........."

So I quit

Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM : There...

There doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason why come folks can drink and some can't. People always want simple answers when there aren't any.

Boys, boys, boys, you'll turn some young men off of golf talking taht way. Erk..maybe that was the wrong expression. :-)

Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM : My buddy...

My buddy before he died told all of us he was dying of Aids

We found out that he did'nt want any of us messing with his wife after he died

Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM : Martha..good...

Martha..good girl. Getting your "stuff" through a doc takes away the addictibility and the accountibility. Everyone knows that.

Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM : Ron I...

Ron

I remember the guy dying of HAGS

Worse than AIDS. Hepatitis AIDS Gonorrhea Syphilis combo

Had ta eat only pancakes

I axed the dude a feedin' him why only pancakes and he told me:

"its all we can git under the damn door!"

Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM : Most...

Most statistics say that only 5-10 percent of all alcoholics get sober and stay sober. Trying to explain Alcoholism to some one that isn't an Alcoholic is useless. Most people that don't suffer from Alcoholism can't understand what an Alcoholic goes through for the simple reason they haven't experienced it themselves. Some call Alcoholics weak people and some may be but weakness has nothing to do with the phenomenon of craving that exist in the Alcoholic when he consumes alcohol. Unless you have experienced that phenomenon craving I personally don't think you can totally grasp the complexity of Alcoholism. I believe that Alcoholism is more of an allergy then a disease. There is something different in an alcoholics chemical make-up that causes Alcoholism.

I have been sober now a while and I know from past experiences that if I drink one drink it will set of that phenomenon of craving and I would be off on a bender. Time doesn't cure alcoholism. Once an Alcoholic always an Alcoholic.

What is important to me is that I understand what an Alcoholic is and that I understand that I am an Alcoholic.

Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM : Whoohooo are...

Whoohooo are you out in left field Martha. I have a poster showing typical alcoholics and there's not a stumblebum on it. More like doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, construction workers, and maybe a relative.

Ask Elvis's doctor how well he took care of the King.

(edited..took your momma off cause I didn't want to offend anyone)

Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM : hooch...

hooch probably didn't hep yer singin much either Gube

never hep'd mine

Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM : lol

lol

Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM : Well off to...

Well off to the dump I go me and that tree have appointment And thanks all for the help worked my you know what off yesterday

I hate trees never ever plant a Chinese Elm I told my wife ten years ago I hated that thing when we planted it it got 30' tall and 40' wide killed all my hy bred Burma I tired last year to kill it and for 3 months it was a 7' stump but it started growing again so Monday she left for work I got up the nerve to take it out and suffer from her later that day

That new neighbor Mexican which rents his house out to ten families and park everywhere I have re think about Him

He came over and without him I'd still be out there digging Sometimes we can get the wrong impression about people I was the 1st to say oh no not one of them next door

So right here I will apologizes I miss judged him Don't let that go to your head Random I havent miss judged you HEH

Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM : Is a work...

Is a work alcohlic the same as a alcohlic ?

Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM : That's...

That's all right, Ron. I know all about that "judge not, lest ye be judged" thing you try to follow.

Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM : I was...

I was married to one of those Ron. He made a lot of money but never took time to enjoy it. May not be disasterious to health but sure is to a marriage.

I, on the other hand, am a carbonated wateraholic. With soda, as long as it's not diet, I'll drink it. People can become addicted to anything..it's how it affects your behavior that matters.

Just ask a woman on chocolate who runs out while PMS'ing.

Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM : Nancy, you...

Nancy, you are really down on doctors today. Ouch.

Mar 4, 2008 at 09:03 AM : Right on RF...

Right on RF

You never judge Repubs

Mar 4, 2008 at 09:03 AM : No, I'm...

No, I'm just confident in my judgement, Chico.

Mar 4, 2008 at 09:03 AM : glad&nbs...

glad you are

Mar 4, 2008 at 09:03 AM : Kat... Down...

Kat... Down on doctors? Not at all. I was down on the poster who made it sound like if he/she got it from a doctor it made it OK.

Please don't read more into comments than is really there. The topic was addiction, not doctors. And if you're referring to my comment about the posters, doctors are among those shown not the ones showcased.

By the way..is this my day in the barrel for you? Two criticisms of my posts in one morning? Nothing positive? Not even my dumb joke about chocolate and PMS? Hmmmmmmm.

Mar 4, 2008 at 09:03 AM : A few years...

A few years ago there where 3 pharmacist that attend this NA meeting I used to attend.

Mar 4, 2008 at 09:03 AM : The one that...

The one that got me was the respiratory therapist in rehab who smoked. There are a lot of addicts/alcoholics in the medical field. The long hours, the stress, and the availibility. A perfect formula for trouble.

Mar 4, 2008 at 10:03 AM : I loved the chocolate...

I loved the chocolate and PMS!! I'm sorry... I meant more of a WOW. I guess that other poster might be trying to say her doctor is a dealer or something, but that isn't how I read it the first time. I took her argument as- go to a doctor for medicine, not a street dealer.

Mar 4, 2008 at 10:03 AM : Nancy what...

Nancy what is alarming is how uninformed the medical community is on Alcoholism and Addiction. Go to a doctor and tell him that you are an Alcoholic or a Addict and he will still prescribe you pain meds or other drugs that can get you high. I have known many people who lost their sobriety because they took the meds that the Doctors prescribed. Also there are millions and millions of Addicts out there were their doctor is their drug dealer. Doctors contribute greatly towards drug addiction.

Mar 4, 2008 at 10:03 AM : Prescription...

Prescription addiction is one of my pet peeves. A lot of doctors hand out that kind of med like it was candy. My doctor does not. She told me she doesn't even keep any kind of opiate in the office. Good for her. Drug seekers will go from doctor to doctor getting as many prescriptions as possible and will frequent ER's for the same reason. It's really an interesting topic.

Kat, to adress what you just commented on. The person who mentioned going to the doctor may well have meant he/she goes for trained medical care rather than to self medicate. My point is that an addicted brain doesn't know or care where it came from as long as it gets what it craves.

PS..glad you like the joke. Some women will tell you it's no joke. :-)

Mar 4, 2008 at 10:03 AM : Sorry...

Sorry gube..I forgot to address your comment. You are exactly right. I've had clients tell me that they told their doc that they were addicts and were still prescribed addictive pain killers. There are other meds that can be used so if an addict is serious about recovery, they need to demand the doctor pay attention to their needs.

Mar 4, 2008 at 10:03 AM : Yes if you...

Yes if you are sober it is your choice what you put into your body. They offer non opiate pain meds and to tell you the truth a 800 milligram ibuprofen usually works just fine.

Mar 4, 2008 at 10:03 AM : But, but,...

But, but, but, gube..it doesn't DO anything for me. (jk'ing of course)

Mar 4, 2008 at 11:03 AM : ha ha my...

ha ha my head still tells me if I can't feel it then it ain't working.

Mar 4, 2008 at 11:03 AM : Ahhhhh..free...

Ahhhhh..freedom of choice..... how can you help those that refuses to help themselves...to some, it's a way of life...to others, it's a living hell...to me, I earned the way I choose to live my life...it's easy to sit back and classify and point fingers...me, I'll just sit this one out...with a cold brew and pain medication from the V.A.....another way of life...there are many trails down the path of life...just choose one and follow

Mar 4, 2008 at 01:03 PM : Lingtaowoo.....

Lingtaowoo......That is what it's all about, finding what works for you. I have friends that drink alot but aren't Alcoholics. I always anted to be one of those kind of drinkers ha ha ...........But I wasn't....

Mar 5, 2008 at 09:03 AM : An alcoholic...

An alcoholic is someone who has to drink. Someone who has to drink just to make it through the day.

According to criteria for a condition to be considered a disease, I guess it is so.

I think some people have a hard time understanding alcoholism as a disease, because we're so inundated with ads for alcohol. Since it is so freely advertised and legal, people see it as a choice and have little sympathy for those who are caught up in the "disease".

Mar 5, 2008 at 09:03 AM : The...

The difference between a drunk and an alcoholic....is that a drunk doesn't have to go to all those meetings.

Jun 24, 2008 at 07:06 AM : In the imortal words...

In the imortal words of Homer Simpson, MMmmmm, Beer.....

Ramsfanguy