Dispelling Myths and Understanding the True Nature of “Alcoholic”
The terms ‘alcohol-dependant’ or ‘alcoholic’ are often thrown around loosely in society, leading to misconceptions and myths about what these terms truly mean.
Many people mistakenly believe that an individual’s frequency of drinking, high levels of tolerance, or the constant presence of a drink in their hand categorizes them as an alcoholic. However, these assumptions are misguided and do not accurately portray the deep-seated issue of alcoholism.
Alcoholism is not marked by when or how often one drinks, or even how much one can drink. You may be able to out-drink everyone you know, yet this does not make you an alcoholic. It’s also not about drinking when you’re sad, or bored, or when there’s nothing else to do.
These behaviors may indicate a problem, but they do not necessarily define alcoholism.
Speaking from a place of lived experience as an ex-alcoholic and liver failure survivor, I can assert that the true nature of alcoholism lies in dependency. This is not just wanting to drink — it’s needing to.
An alcoholic has a physical and emotional dependency on alcohol that goes beyond the desire to merely unwind or pass time. It moves into the realm of necessity, where the individual feels compelled to drink.
While frequent and heavy drinking doesn’t automatically categorize one as an alcoholic, it does indicate practicing alcoholic behavior. The danger here is that these behaviors can potentially lead to alcohol dependency if not checked.
Therefore, it’s important to recognize and address these patterns early on. Beyond Sober offers resources and support for those seeking help with alcohol-related issues.
In conclusion, we need to shift our understanding of alcoholism from the stereotypes to the reality — a reality that involves recognising alcoholism as a disease characterized by physical and emotional dependency.
If you find yourself drinking frequently and in large quantities, consider swapping out the alcohol for water and seeking guidance. For more information, visit Sober Not Sober and Beyond Sober. Remember, acknowledgement is the first step towards recovery.
K O H D I | Beyond Sober
