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what exactly is "alcohol abuse"

D

david alexander

Newbie
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1
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I'm type 2, doing fine, eating properly for the first time in my life, getting lots of exercise because of some of the things I'm involved in. But , I love beer. Unable really to cut down, though I don't want to because I'm doing so well with the food and exercise. But, the messages about alcohol are clear - when it comes to liver disease etc. But they mention "alcohol abuse". Is there a definition of what abuse actually means or are we sticking to the number of units that are recommended? I don't view what I drink as "abuse" but I do drink too much - probably 5 days out of 7 at an average of 4 pints per night - more on special celebrations. Maybe that is abuse?
 
You'll never get an exact figure on what abuse is but if you think it's too much, it is. I would classify "abuse" as when alcohol either begins to damage your health or your relationships ! I also enjoy a few beers BTW so not judging !
Mo
 
Have you tested you bg after a few pints?

I agree with mo, but also that if drinking prevents you from doing other things you might want to or ought to, then it interferes with your life.

And regardless of the amount - five nights a week, that is a lot of time to spend on beer. Is it really worth it?
 
Anything which causes harm to yourself (or others) is abuse.
Your body, do what you like but, live now pay later is only too true for diabetics and if you like having legs, functioning kidneys and eyesight etc maybe drink a bit less?
 
I think it's difficult to quantify what alcohol abuse is. The effects of alcohol vary so vastly from person to person that it's hard to know what harm would be caused.
However, with all the best will in the world, if you don't want to stop, then you won't.
 
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