How do you define the difference between a 'drunk' and alcoholic and a social drinker. What are the connotations associated with each? Are they fair? Are they deserved?

What are you?

It seems to me that an alcoholic is one that consumes a lot of alcohol but can't or doesn't want to stop. Also, if once you start drinking you can't stop, that's a problem.

Another point; I hate it when people become angry and beligerant when they drink. Lighten up! Have a good time!

"I'm not an alcoholic. Alcoholics go to meetings."

Alcoholism is when social drinking goes on to interfere with your life in a meaningful way. It could be professional, it could be personal, it could be medical, but somehow it's stopping you from leading life to a more fuller degree than before it.

Social Drinker. I only drink when Im around friends or family. Very rarely do I drink by myself

Social Drinker: A person who doesn't normally drink but will have a beer or glass of wine with friends.

Drunk: A person who sets out to the bars with the express intention of spending several hours and a more-than-adequate sum of money on not remembering the events immediately before, during, or after his/her time at the bar.

Alcoholic: A person whose life revolves around alcohol. Often includes drinks with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, driving while intoxicated (this is not limited to alcoholics, of course), keeping a large bottle of vodka hidden in the car, etc.

Alcoholics go to AA

Drunks don't admit or haven't realised the problem yet

Social drinkers drink on friday and saturday nights

I am not a drunk. I am soberly challenged.
When I do drink, I don't get drunk, I get overserved.
Remember, Rehab is for quitters.
:D :D :D

Originally posted by Unrepresented
It could be professional, it could be personal, it could be medical, but somehow it's stopping you from leading life to a more fuller degree than before it.

thank goodness... i'm not an alcoholic yet :p

Originally posted by PFDarkside
Also, if once you start drinking you can't stop, that's a problem.


Interesting, since that was me from day one. There was no progression or anything, other than a building tolerance that required more alcohol as time went on... I was NEVER able to drink like a normal person or have just one or two unless the one or two was all that was available.

I think I'm borderline...I can go and have just one or two.....but I've also been known to get completely tanked out of my tree...

you know your a drunk when you get drunk by yourself

Originally posted by Manu
How do you define the difference between a 'drunk' and alcoholic and a social drinker.
My 2 cents. I think of a drunk as a person who is drunk at a given time. An alcoholic is a clinically diagnosed dude who has a serious medical problem. A social drinker is pretty much everyone else.
What are the connotations associated with each? Are they fair? Are they deserved?
Not fair at all. People may have a momentary lapse of self control and suffer being labeled one thing or another.
What are you?
social drinker.

Originally posted by Stage Monster
Social Drinker: A person who doesn't normally drink but will have a beer or glass of wine with friends.

Drunk: A person who sets out to the bars with the express intention of spending several hours and a more-than-adequate sum of money on not remembering the events immediately before, during, or after his/her time at the bar.

Alcoholic: A person whose life revolves around alcohol. Often includes drinks with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, driving while intoxicated (this is not limited to alcoholics, of course), keeping a large bottle of vodka hidden in the car, etc. This is the way I define the three as well (roughly). I'm somewhere between a social drinker and a drunk. I've been known to go out with the intent of getting bombed. I've been known to get bombed by myself. However, I've also been known to go months without a drink (and not really miss it). :shrug: