Almost Alcoholic

In last week’s blog we finished talking about the signs of being an almost alcoholic. Another thing the book gives is a quiz to see which category you might be in. The answers are on page thirty four and as the book says no one wants to grow up to be an alcoholic or almost alcoholic. The book says: “The medical literature has a term for almost alcoholics; they are called “diagnostic orphans”—that is their problems don’t fit neatly into established diagnostic categories. This means that if they went to a professional for an assessment, they wouldn’t fit the criteria for the diagnosis of alcohol dependence.” (pg.47). How would they get help if they do not fit the right category? They could use help.
The book goes on to give more case studies of people who are almost alcoholic. Then the book talks about relationship between a person and alcohol. It gives three stages of alcohol drinking. The first stage called Casual Friendship: “People whose relationship with alcohol falls into this stage drink primarily in social settings. This is what we mean by “normal social drinking.”” (pg.65). These people have no problem with drinking. They might just do it social but can take it or leave it. The second stage is called Serious Relationship: “… a person has learned to use alcohol consistently for one of two reasons: to create certain positive feelings (such as relaxation or euphoria) or to avoid certain negative feelings (such as anxiety or loneliness).”(pg.67). This dinking behavior would fall into the category of almost alcoholic. There is hope if your get help in this stage. Otherwise you can go from being an almost alcoholic to being a full alcoholic.
The third stage is called Commitment: “At this next stage, alcohol use has moved beyond a serious relationship into what could be called a commitment that the drinker has made with alcohol.” (pg.70). I believe I was at this stage. I would consume alcohol just to get drunk. Good times were not always there. When it should have been good in turned out wrong. I might end up in jail or even in a fight. I do not think about drinking anymore. I just have to remember how it was and I will always be abstinent.
I give this book a good review. The chapters going forward have more case studies and how to change from being an almost alcoholic or alcoholic. One chapter is on Change and has a quiz to take. One chapter is on refusal skills, like learning to say no. The rest of the book is worth reading. This will end the series.