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How Many Drinks a Week Makes Me an Alcoholic?

By U.S. News & World Report

The lines between social drinking, alcohol abuse and alcoholism are extremely thin. Crossing them warrants no special “aha” moment; generally, the drinker doesn’t consciously digest that alcohol has become a problem until he or she is a few miles past the last line. If the drinker ever felt a slight inclination that the habit developed into full-force alcoholism, he or she probably shrugged it off in denial.

[See: 7 Health Risks of Binge Drinking You Can’t Ignore.]

So, how do you know if you are an alcoholic? It would be nice if there was a logical or numerical response to the question — as in, “If I drink less than five drinks a night, that doesn’t make me an alcoholic,” “If I drink only on the weekends that should mean that I’m not an alcoholic, right?” or “If I am not drinking alone, I am fine.”

Unfortunately, none of these questions or statements will lead to a conclusion as to whether or not you are an alcoholic. The most important question I ask my clients struggling with accepting their alcoholism is, “How often are you thinking about drinking?” We then delve deeper into a series of questions that aim to create a conscious awakening:

— Do you frequently feel compelled to drink?

— Does alcohol, the thought of alcohol or the planning of your next drink occupy most of your energy and focus?

— Have you wanted to stop drinking, but find yourself with a drink in hand just a short time later?

— Have you sacrificed other activities that you enjoy because you plan to drink or were drinking?

— Do you find that you need to consume more alcohol to get the same effects you once had?

These questions kick-start our discussion about alcoholism, and the common behaviors associated with alcohol dependency. These questions address the mental, physical and emotional state of one’s drinking. The general rule of thumb when it comes to labeling oneself as an alcoholic is: If alcohol causes or has caused mental, physical or emotional distress in your life, alcohol has ceased to be a luxury and has entered the realm of necessity.

[See: 14 Ways Alcohol Affects the Aging Process.]

Alcoholism tends to run in families. If one or more of your family members suffers from alcoholism or addiction, you are at a higher risk of alcoholism than the rest of the population. You are also at a higher risk of alcoholism if you suffer from anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. These mental disorders often lead to self-medication with alcohol or other mind-altering substances.

If you are still unconvinced that you are an alcoholic, or you need more tangible data, ask yourself these questions:

1. Do you often feel guilty about your drinking?

2. Do you feel the need to lie to others about your drinking?

3. Have one or more of your loved ones expressed concern about your drinking habits?

4. Do you frequently drink more than you plan on drinking?

5. Do you black out when drinking?

6. Do you feel that you need to drink to relax or feel better?

7. Do you find that you wake up from a night of drinking with severe anxiety, shaking or sweating that only a drink or medication can fix?

8. Do you feel uncomfortable in environments where alcohol is unavailable?

9. Have you ever tried to control your drinking?

10. Have you had problems at home, school or work as a result of drinking?

11. Have you ever thought that your life would be better if you didn’t drink?

12. Do you ever find yourself jealous of people who can drink without consequences?

If you answered “yes” to three questions or fewer, you may be mildly abusing alcohol. If you answered “yes” to four to seven questions, you exemplify traits of an alcoholic; you have entered into the danger zone and should seek help for alcohol dependence. If you answered “yes” to eight to 12 questions, you exemplify traits of a severe alcoholic and should seek treatment for alcoholism.

This test is not medically-approved, nor is it an official test for determining alcoholism, but it will give you an idea of the type of questions you need to ask yourself when observing your drinking.

[See: How to Find the Best Mental Health Professional for You.]

The only person who can determine whether you are an alcoholic, an alcohol abuser or a social drinker is yourself; no one can answer these questions for you. If you take an honest survey of yourself and your drinking habits, you can determine whether you have reached the point of alcoholism and only then can you get the help you need. Doing so will teach you how to move through life without the aid of alcohol, allowing you to reconnect with your loved ones and to rekindle your desire to live another day.

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How Many Drinks a Week Makes Me an Alcoholic? originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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