Although there are still people who disagree, alcoholism has been medically and legally classified as an illness. An alcoholic is no more responsible for his drinking than a tuberculosis patient is for his coughing. Although the craving for a morning drink is a common symptom among chronic alcoholics, there are those who don't display it. It is not when drinking occurs, but the lack of control over it when it does occur that defines alcoholism. The alcoholic who drinks beer merely has to drink more of it to get drunk than he would wine or whiskey.
Alcoholics drink every day Some alcoholics drink only on weekends, some abstain for months.
Alcoholism is not determined by how often a person drinks, but whether or not he can control his drinking once he starts. Women do become alcoholics, but are not as likely to be diagnosed as such, since they are more easily camouflaged by the protective setting of the home. Maybe you just don't know you know any alcoholics. Some of your best friends may have drinking problems. An they usually try to hide their illness, even from themselves.