What is an alcoholic and how are they different from regular drinkers?

Alcoholic: An alcoholic is a person who has a drinking problem. They may be unable to control their drinking, and they may continue to drink even if it is causing problems in their life.

Regular drinker: A regular drinker is a person who drinks alcohol on a regular basis, but does not have a drinking problem. They are able to control their drinking and do not experience any negative consequences from it.

Differences between alcoholics and regular drinkers

There are a number of key differences between alcoholics and regular drinkers. These include:

* Alcohol dependence: Alcoholics are physically and psychologically dependent on alcohol. Regular drinkers may develop a dependence on alcohol, but it is not as severe as the dependence of alcoholics.

* Tolerance: Alcoholics develop a tolerance to alcohol, which means that they need to drink more and more alcohol to achieve the same effect. Regular drinkers do not develop a tolerance to alcohol.

* Withdrawal symptoms: Alcoholics who stop drinking may experience withdrawal symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. Regular drinkers do not experience withdrawal symptoms.

* Negative consequences: Alcoholics often experience negative consequences from their drinking, such as problems with their health, relationships, and work. Regular drinkers may experience some negative consequences from their drinking, but these are usually not as severe as the consequences experienced by alcoholics.