Is Social Drinking Considered Alcohol Abuse | South Coast Counseling ?

If you or a loved one is a social drinker, here is what you should consider when trying to determine whether or not it should be defined as alcohol abuse.

When you go to the doctor for a physical, they might ask you how many alcohol beverages you consume in one week. This might be a difficult question for some to answer because they might engage in social drinking, which can be an inconsistent consumption of alcohol. If this is the case, you have to wonder if this type action can be determined as alcoholism, as there is no clear-cut answer. If you or a loved one is a social drinker, here is what you should consider when trying to determine whether or not it should be defined as alcohol abuse.

What is Social Drinking?

Though the definition of social drinking can be vague, essentially it means that someone only drinks alcohol in certain, social situations. For instance, if the person in question only drinks at holiday parties, then they can be considered a social drinker. While this sounds harmless, the boundaries of social drinking can be twisted so that those who are drinking on a regular basis have an excuse to do so, by claiming that they are a “social drinker,” when they’re really not.

In order to be a true social drinker, you would only consume an appropriate amount of alcohol on the rare occasion. Even then, you would be able to control your intake and not be drinking to have a good time. However, social drinkers are few and far between because most of the time, this is not the case.

When is Social Drinking Considered Alcohol Abuse?

Because social drinking defines those who only drink on certain occasions, this can very easily lead to binge drinking, which a dangerous act. Binge drinking is when someone consumes more than four or five alcoholic beverages in one sitting, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Binge drinking can cause alcohol poisoning, which can be life-threatening. Additionally, those who drink socially and binge drink may become involved in dangerous actions, such as violence and driving under the influence.

When drinking socially and binge drinking occur more often than not, it can be considered alcohol abuse. If you find that you are making excuses for your drinking, so that you can drink on more than just the rare occasion, you might be considered an alcoholic.

How to Prevent Social Drinking

To stop drinking socially, you can simply remove yourself from situations where you know there will be alcohol. You should have an honest discussion with your friends and family, asking for their support. Hopefully, they will respect you and help you avoid situations where you might be tempted to drink.

However, if you feel like you are thinking about drinking more than you are not, you might have an alcohol abuse problem. The only way to ensure your health and safety is to seek alcohol abuse treatment Seattle wa  from your local rehab center. Professional counselors will give you the tools you need in order to stop social drinking, binge drinking and other alcohol abuse habits you may have.

Here at South Coast Counseling, we have an experienced and devoted staff who wants to see you get well. If you or a loved one struggles with alcohol abuse, reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help you or your loved one onto the path of sobriety.