What is "Alcoholism"?

[newdude]

I don't drink, but alot of my friends drink all the time.  I live in a University town, and EVERYONE drinks, seemingly all the time.  I have a few questions:

1) What exactly is alcoholism; how do you differentiate between an alcoholic and a "normal" person who drinks all the time?  When does one become an "alcoholic" per se?

2) I heard that alcoholism develops more quickly in young people.  I heard that it takes about 10 years for an adult to become alcoholic, while it takes only 3 or 4 years for a young person.  Is this true?

[newdude]

Hmmm... interesting, I can kind of see what your saying in the context of my friends.  Scary business.  Do you think an alcohol problem can develop in someone, a friend of mine, who has been drinking since high school (now is 23 or 24), and scarcely goes a day without drinking?  She claims to have a problem, but who knows.  She also has other problems, like being on meds since she was a teenager, depression, etc...

My dog, a lovely sweet puppy of about 1 year & 5 months, is half Black Labrador & half Coon Hound, she's big!!  But very nice, I guess she had some sort of trauma when she was a puppy: they found her in an abandoned vehicle, and she's a very shy  dog.  It took her months to venture out of her cage (wich we don't use anymore), and when I take her for a walk she shies away from my friends, and runs away from other dogs (even the little ones!).  It's very touching, but she doesn't like males, we assume it's because she was beaten when she was younger.  Evil people...

[ibizan]

ur friend indeed has a alcohol problem..its estimated and i see this as well that 40% of alcholics/addicts have co-xisting problems with depression,anxiety,personality disorders and alcohol a central nervous system depressant so put that on top of depression.....wayyy down there in a dark hole!ur dog sounds like a sweetie..thank God u took her..oh yes evil humans..my first female greyhound 20 lbs underweight..looked like victim of Auschwitz..scarred body and teeth broken off with pliers!she taught me so much about patience....took her 8 mos. 2 come outta her shell but she blossomed in2 the most wonderful dog.My male grey would lie on the sofa on back with all 4rs in the air snoring while that girl let me know who was at the front door!might b a man's world like James Brown sang......but it wouldn't be nuthin without a woman or a little girl!:)))))

[newdude]

Hmmm... what a story! :)

That's pretty horrible, having her teeth broken with pliers!  That's disgusting.  I can't believe what some people out there would do that kind of thing.  Atrocious.  But at least the story has a happy ending!  Sounds like quite the pair of doggies you've got there! :)

Thanks for your opinion regarding my friend, too.  I don't actually see her really at all anymore, and she's very stubborn anyways... it's complicated.  There's almost not much to be done for her, especially now that I don't see her... :(

But thanks all the same, your opinions are very insightful.  Hopefully I can make good use of them at some point.

Good evening to you, madame, and best wishes to your dogs!

ps, the world would indeed not be worth a darn without a woman & a little girl... makes the world go round!

Adios senora!

[newdude]

sorry... SENORITA!

[ibizan]

hahah....i think senora is for older women and that be me even though i look like a senorita!:))All we can do for our friends with alcohol problems is to listen support and guide if their WILLING to look at themselves......if their not we know the rest of the story.My first set of greys now in animal heaven aka the Rainbow Bridge.Have second pair now...going on 10...and the galdog is on sofa doing Swan Lake upside down....doggie dead cockroach!its been a pleasure chatting with u..u r an enlightened young man......so refreshing 2 encounter in this millennium...keep on keepin on!:)))))

[newdude]

Hey ibizan!  Thanks, I enjoy chatting with you too. :))  Very rewarding indeed.  It's good of you to share your knowledge with me, very nice of you to call me "enlightened."  I won't argue with that one. ;)  Wel, you know, my parents work at a University and had me reading when I was very young, I never got to play video games like most kids my age.  On the downside, I was a "nerd" who few people thought were very cool, but I think I'm over that now.

Anyways, yes, that makes sense that people can only be helped if they're willing to be helped, which unfortunately doesn't apply to my friend... but there is yet hope.

That Swan Lake position you describe has to be the most adorable dog position... in fact, I'm sure any animal would be adorable in that pose... but dogs especially... they just look so comfy like that.  In fact, my dog is the first dog I've ever had, I used to be one of those "cat persons," but I'm glad to join the dog group.

Well, keep well & adieu!