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]

PS: "Tweeny" means "be-TWEEN childhood and adolescence."  Hence Tweeny.

[newdude]

Hahahaha, so glad you enjoyed it. :)

Actually, my father's parents are from Dublin, and they moved to Canada when my Dad was just a toddler, so my Dad grew up Canadian, but with a strong presence of Irish heritage.  My Mom's parents were born in Sheffield, England (Protestants), and they too moved to Canada when my Mom was just a toddler, so my Mom grew up Canadian with a strong English Protestant presence.  So I grew up with English Literature, and Irish wit, all around me.  It's funny when kids these days think you're weird because you use these words which are associated with old fogeys... it just seems so stupid to me, and sadly smallminded.  So I'm square because I say "balderdash"?  Who's really being square here?

I think I misused the word "tweeny" just now.  "Tweeny" was coined by the media a while back to denote a new group of youths, aged 10-12, who go shopping alot, who engage in activities usually associated with teenagers, and who dress like they're older than they are (twelve year olds in short skirts, etc.).  I certainly misused the term, as our friend HELPME907 is 19 years old.  But it had a good ring to it, and the language HELPME907 uses makes me think of Elementary School or at best early High-School.

[ibizan]

inane tweeny lingo.....hahahah..i love it.....is that a mix between a  twit and a weeny with no no command of language?oh this is getting so entertaining!;))))

[ibizan]

thank u for ur comments!there are genetic predispositions as well to mental illness,,this is documented and i have found it to be true in many of the families and their relatives i've worked with over the years.Many know their histories and there are some who say..it wasn't talked about much....regarded as a family secret...something to be ashamed about/hidden.....a good thing the stigma has been lifted over the years somewhat...just like with alcoholism and drug addiction.

[ibizan]

i dig the words balderdash and malarkey..i think these words are particular to ur culture?U r close to England right?they are much more classy than the English..if u can call it that..:)that we use here in the USA!I've enjoyed crssoing paths with u..i hope it 2 continue!

[newdude]

Hmm... glad you found it interesting.  I found it interesting too, and met some good people along the way.  Yes, I agree that ibizan is onto something there, with the tendency towards addiction & mental illness.  It's funny, because I actually have Schizophrenia running in my family, too, on the paternal (Irish again) side of the family; my aunt is Schizophrenic, & many other things which I won't get into.  That's what finally prompted me to quit Marijuana; I felt myself going crazy.  It seems that all of my crazy, extreme, eccentric characteristics come from the Irish in my family.  But this makes sense, maybe because of centuries of starvation & poverty.  Autism is very intriguing, I've always been fascinated with it.

By the way, since I was a toddler I always drew pictures & things.  I was very good (not to brag ;) ).  Unfortunately, I no longer really ever find the time to do that.  However, I do write, & read good stuff.  I just can't think of a plot.  I always feel like I'm being derivative.  Nietzsche, though, says that our minds are nothing but layers of derivation, so I guess it's understandable.  Keep up the writing & drawing!  It purifies the soul. :)

Anyways, time to eat again... ciao!