Crossing the Threshold: Factors in Self‐identification as an Alcoholic*

Summary This study compared individuals who identified themselves as ‘alcoholic’ versus ‘non‐alcoholic’ in a clinical sample (N=225) referred for alcohol related problems. The self‐identified alcoholics were more likely to have attended Alcoholics Anonymous and to agree with the A.A. philosophy that abstinence is necessary for improvement. Furthermore, the alcoholics reported a wider range of problems related to alcohol, and both their current and life‐time alcohol consumption were greater than the non‐alcoholics. Nevertheless, the differences would appear to be of degree rather than differences of kind. As the level of alcohol abuse increased beyond a certain threshold there was an increased probability that individuals would consider themselves alcoholic. On the other hand, the self–identified alcoholics and non‐alcoholics were not significantly different with respect to age, sex, intellectual abilities, personality characteristics and measures of psychopathology. This study calls into question the meaningfulness and practical utility of the distinction between ‘alcoholic’ and ‘non‐alcoholic’ with individuals having alcohol related problems.