[mft_]

/citation needed

Is there evidence that everyone else in the world would be “addicted” to alcohol if they consumed a single drink (one unit, 25mL of 40% spirits of equivalent) for more than 364 days?

I really think you shouldn’t be throwing around such generalisations when someone is attempting to promote a serious discussion about the rational ‘use’ of alcohol.

[lm28469]

I have a lot of friends who drink a large beer every evening and "can stop whenever they want" none of them ever stopped in the last 20 years, they might not be physically addicted to the substance but they are definitely addicted to the habit and the effects are the same in the end. It doesn't matter if you can in theory stop but not do it or if you cannot physically stop, in the end you're drinking every day

[mft_]

> It doesn't matter if you can in theory stop but not do it or if you cannot physically stop

It matters a lot, if you want to use the term "addiction".

Addiction has many definitions, but usually it involves a habit or compusion to some behaviour or consumption of some substance, often with and despite negative consequences (e.g. mental or physical health, employment issues, relationship issues), and often with negative consequences (e.g. withdrawal symptoms) upon cessation.

A single large beer every evening may be a habit, and your friends may miss that habit if they were to stop, but I'd suspect they don't experience significant negative life consequences from that single large beer, and nor would they experience symptoms of physical withdrawal if they stopped.

[p1esk]

I provided my opinion based on what they wrote. I did not intend to generalize it. I’m not sure the OP fully understands the serious risks of alcohol consumption. I have observed enough lives damaged by alcoholism to speak from experience.

[Veen]

But alcoholism and regular alcohol consumption aren't the same thing, are they? Alcoholics regularly consume alcohol, but not everyone who regularly consumes alcohol is an alcoholic.

I like to have a glass of single malt in the evenings after dinner. I've been doing so for years. But if I can't for some reason, so be it. I often forget to have it because I'm busy doing something else. No problem.