[Aliantha]

I would be inclined to go along with this particular article, simply because I know I personally go through phases in my life where I abuse alcohol or even food to satisfy myself either emotionally or physically. Usually I am able to recognise these phases for what they are, and it's topical for me right now because I've been drinking a bottle of wine every night (sometimes more) for the last month or so, which would be considered alcohol abuse. Yesterday I decided enough was enough so didn't drink anything at all, and I had all the hallmarks of detox including sweats during the night, inability to actually sleep properly, bad dreams, restless legs etc. I woke up this morning feeling very irritable and just generally unwell. Anyway, probably a good thing I have decided to give the booze a miss for a while. It doesn't mean I don't want to have a drink, or that I wont have a couple on the weekend even, but it means I do at times let it get the better of me. For whatever reason, I am lucky enough to be able to recognise that and turn it around as suggested happens in most cases in the article above.

So yeah, I don't think people would call me an alcoholic in the sense of the understanding society currently has of alcoholism, but I do definitely believe I have issues which I self manage on a continual basis.