What does addiction look like to you?

It's an interesting concept when for example the NHS says for alcohol
keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis. if you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it is best to spread your drinking evenly over 3 or more days.
Which is basically 14 units is equivalent to 6 pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of lower-strength wine.

So using that as a guide how would you determine an addiction?

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Northguy1 · 56-60, M

Addiction is a progressive disease. Six pints will gradually become eight, then 12, and ten "small" glasses of wine will become 10 medium glasses until the line has been crossed into addiction.

Mellowgirl · 31-35, F

@Northguy1 OK but maybe I should of asked how so you self monitor against that? I don't want a googled or text book response

Northguy1 · 56-60, M

@Mellowgirl No googled or textbook response. I think if you have to self-monitor your alcohol intake to ensure you don't become an alcoholic, you probably are already addicted. Sure, there are textbook definitions that describe addiction and what it looks like, but alcoholism is a self-diagnosis. I've been in recovery now for almost six years and what I found about myself is that it is not natural for me to not have a drink in my hand while I'm socializing. So now, rather than hold an alcoholic beverage, I simply drink a diet soda or water. Remember the old saying: One drink is too many and a thousand is never enough.

Mellowgirl · 31-35, F

@Northguy1 thank you for responding... It wasn't to dig at you. More gain more insight from someone that has had the experience, because surely there must be ways you feel, and situations that trigger you.
I suppose I was looking at it from the perspective of someone not knowing...

Northguy1 · 56-60, M

@Mellowgirl It isn't so much the situations that trigger most; sometimes there isn't a trigger. For me, it is more having learned how to respond to triggers and urges so as not to give into them. Alcohol is cunning, baffling and powerful.