What is an Alcoholic?

I can’t tell you how many discussions I’ve been in where this has been the topic. Where this has been the angry “topic” (roll my eyes,) of “discussion.”

Some say that it can only be determined by a doctor; others, only by the individual himself; the government says if you have ever driven under the influence of a BAC of .20 or higher you are (I’m not saying this is or isn’t true, just a fact.)

What the average person doesn’t know is that it IS genetic. The confusion truly lies in the fact that most people in today’s society believe that an alcoholic has to drink EVERYDAY. Or in order to be an alcoholic you have to be a CURRENT drinker of alcoholic beverages. Just because you don’t drink, doesn’t mean you don’t have the disease. Yes, it is a disease. A little known fact to those outside of the families and members of its community—if you’ve ever spent time in Al-Anon or AA you know what I’m talking about. The sad part is. Either it’s taken too seriously or too lightly.

What do I mean?

The lightly part is easy. I’ve already described some of it. Most people are not educated to even know about the effect alcohol has on one’s anatomy. The other is the continued discussion of the effect the media has. I’m not trying to play whole—it’s TV and Movies fault—but now that I personally have become more educated on the subject, I’m more aware of it. It’s everywhere. On almost any TV show the characters get drunk and hook up, or go get drinks after work, brands of liquor are lyrics in pop songs, ads are in fashion magazines and billboards, companies are supported by Politian’s, corporate giants, and professional sports teams—seriously it’s everywhere! So does anybody notice the correlation of how many people are in rehab these days? Oh yeah, THEN there’s something wrong. Ten tequila shots are only bad for the people in rehab. THEY’RE the one’s with the problems.

So, how could it possibly be taken too seriously? It’s a serious disease right? I’ve already described the rampant problem it is—as fatal as cancer, but it does have a cure.

Abstinence, (—and I’m not talking about not having sex.)

However attaining this cure can be found by differentiating means and some who have found their own medicine can tend to be forceful in sharing theirs with the terminally ill. In other words, the sick that have only learned they are ill. These veterans, who are full of their own so-called virtue, do not consider that these young sick ones who have learned of their illness need only to know this truth to commit to the cure. Yet just like the alcoholic definition and what it was thought to be has changed (for instance, it didn’t used to publicly be accepted a woman could be an alcoholic, or that anyone could be one unless they were a bum. However, the term “functioning alcoholic” is more widely known today.), I personally believe the way to treat one should be changed too.

Pardon me for saying so, but I grew up with home-made meals everyday—how many meals are tossed in the micro wave today? Who has time? Well shouldn’t we take the time? That’s the argument I hear—that you make your priorities. This I believe is true. But think about it. What does that mean?

It’s like having a discipline—in two different fields of study, but still choosing to study.

It would be like comparing Galileo Galilei to Pablo Picasso. Both committed in their work, but two entirely different vocations.

Now at this point I’m sure you’re laughing because I’m comparing two of the greatest minds in history to recovering alcoholics—well, some of the greatest minds of our time as well as people in history WERE and ARE recovering alcoholics OR succumbed to its claws of fervor:

Robin Williams (Actor,) Ulysses S. Grant (18th president of the United States,) Edgar Allen Poe (Poet,) John Daly (PGA golfer,) Stephen King (Writer,) Edwin "BUZZ" Aldrin (The second astronaut to step on the moon,) Dick Van Dyke (Actor,)
(Just try googling famous alcoholics—I did for this blog. You’ll find a surprising list of people.)

What is an alcoholic? It’s a person.
One with talents and hopes and dreams, feelings and fears. Some with great accomplishments, recognized by society—some known by these dark habits, others who have kept them hidden. Still they could be anyone of us. A friend, a co-worker, a family member.

My opinion—what is an alcoholic? It’s not when or what you drink, it’s “how” you drink. It’s “why” you drink. It should never be the solution to a problem. If you’re avoiding something don’t disappear into a numb world. I’m not saying don’t drink, I’m saying instead, if you’re asking yourself or a loved one if they’re an alcoholic—ask this question instead;

If there’s a question whether you should or you shouldn’t—should you?

My answer is obvious.