A recovering addict has shared the three differences between a casual drinker and an alcoholic.
TikTok creator and YouTuber Correy Warren said in a video that alcohol dependency is not just about how much someone drinks.
He says: “Most people think that an alcoholic is just someone who drinks too much, but the truth is, the difference is not in how much I drink. It’s in how I drink.”
Persistent alcohol misuse raises the risk of health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, liver disease, pancreatitis and numerous cancers.
Here are Warren’s three signs for alcohol dependency:
Never having a reason for not drinking
Warren says that one thing that distinguishes a casual drinker from someone who has an alcohol dependency is never having a reason for not drinking.
“Normal drinkers, they have a reason for not drinking. Maybe my kids wake up early or I have to go to work or I’m getting up early so I can work out,” he says.
On the other hand, people who are addicted to drinking always have a justification for drinking.
“Bad day? I’m drinking. If I’m stressed out? I’m drinking. If I’m fighting with my wife? I’m drinking. Or, if something good happened and I want to celebrate, I’m drinking.”
Risks of alcohol misuse
Short term
- Accidents and injuries
- Violent behaviour and being a victim of violence
- Unprotected sex that could result in pregnancy or STIs
- Alcohol poisoning (which can lead to vomiting, fits and unconsciousness)
Long term
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Liver disease
- Liver cancer
- Bowel cancer
- Mouth cancer
- Breast cancer
- Pancreatitis
- Brain damage, which can lead to problems with thinking and memory
Not being able to stop at one drink
According to Warner, another sign of an alcohol addiction is not being able to control how much they drink in a night.
“Normal drinkers, they can have one, two, and then put it down. They know when enough is enough,” he says.
“Me, I never had that switch.”
He added: “Alcohol determined when enough was enough. If there was a drink in front of me, I was drinking it.”
Wondering if you have a problem with alcohol
Warner says that wondering if you are an alcoholic could be a sign that your relationship with alcohol is unhealthy.
“Normal drinkers, they don’t wonder if they have a problem with alcohol. They don’t wrestle with the thought that maybe they shouldn’t drink.”
He added: “I was constantly asking myself: is this good for me? Am I sure I should be doing this? Maybe I’m taking this too far? Maybe I’m an alcoholic? Maybe I should stop?”
“Those are all questions that normal drinkers, they never ask,” he says.
If you’re concerned about your relationship with alcohol or someone else's, a good first step is visiting your GP, who will be able to discuss services and treatments with you.
There are also a number of charities and support groups:
- Drinkline national alcohol helpline on 0300 123 1110
- Alcohol Change UK
- Alcoholics Anonymous helpline on 0800 9177 650
- Al-Anon Family Groups helpline on 0800 0086 811
