I have read several times that an alcoholic can't limit the amount he drinks for long periods of time because the disease is a progressive one. When I met my husband 4 yrs ago he drank 12 (16 oz) beers during the week and a case of beer on Friday and Saturday. Over the 4 year period he has cut that down to 6 (16 oz) beers on weeknights and 8 or 9 beers on the weekend. Is this unusual? Is he the exception?
Only your husband can decide if he is an alcoholic. I posted the AA/John Hopkins university Hospital pamphlet just prior to this. It is entitled, "Who... Me??" It is a standard test for people to take if they think they may have a drinking problem.
I was told that "Its not the amount we drink...its how it affects us...and in turn affects others"
I cant give an opinion...on someone elses drinking..some are binge drinkers...some are everyday drinkers...some can keep a handle on it for different periods of time...
I was one who needed a certain amount every day..just to function...and that usually turned into not stopping at a certain amount...
He is the only one who can admit, if he has a problem with it or not..and then...of course...being his wife...you can also tell if its causing problems in your home...
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"LOVE" devoid of self-gratification, is in essence, the will, to the greatest good...of another.
I certainly can't say whether or not somebody else is an alcoholic, and only your husband can decide if he is or not.
I would try not to drink for a day or two (I was having to drink every day in order to function), but when I wasn't drinking I was certainly obsessing about alcohol all of the time.
For me, the test was not only how much I drank, but what I said and did when I drank and how it was affecting other people around me. Also, once I started drinking I simply couldn't stop.
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
I will ditto Phil here in that I become a "maintainance drinker". That is, needing to have a certain amount of alcohol in me in order to function, maintain a certain level at all times. But that level kept growing.
I don't think anyone can say if your husband's drinking is "unusual". There is no standard as to what's "normal" or "unusual". This does appear to be troubling you though. Ask youself: "What steps am I going to take?"...Tim
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"We posess the eyes through which the universe gazes with wonder upon its own majesty."
