What does alcoholic mean?

Alcoholic refers to a person suffering from the illness of alcoholism. The precise definition of alcoholic is unclear. Some will define an alcoholic as anyone drinking more than the World Health Organisation´s limits for healthy drinking (21 units per week for males and 14 units per week for females with 2 days per week without drinking). Others say that a physical dependency to alcohol should be present before referring to someone as an alcoholic. Still others use the concept of psychological dependency to alcohol to define someone as an alcoholic.

Alcoholic as defined by healthy drinking limits

According to this definition of alcoholic, a male drinking more than 8 pints of usual strength lager (5%abv) per week, on a routine basis would be classified as an alcoholic. A female drinking more than 1.5 bottles of wine (13%abv) per week on a routine basis would be classified as an alcoholic.

Alcoholic as defined by psychological addiction to alcohol

According to this definition of alcoholic, anyone suffering from marked cravings to use alcohol, who has developed a regular routine of alcohol use and who routinely places more importance on the use of alcohol than other important activities, would be classified as an alcoholic.

Alcoholic as defined by physical addiction to alcohol

According to this definition of alcoholic, anyone suffering from alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as tremor and sweating when going without a drink for a period of time, would be classified as an alcoholic.

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