journeyman, I truly believe it is up to each person to decide if they are an addict or are just using/abusing drugs and alcohol.

My mom takes pain meds and sleeping pills. She is physically addicted to them, but she does have medical reasons to take them. A while back, I was really upset at how many pills she was taking and really got on her case about it--I referred to her as an addict. Now, I realize, she needs the meds. Also, I have no right to call her an addict. Yes, she is physically addicted to the meds (morphine and others) but she lacks the...I don't know...addictive drive of an addict. For one, she takes them as prescribed--something I would never be able to do. I think there is a difference between being physically addicted and psychologically addicted--I am not saying you are physically addicted--I got off on a bit of a tangent.

If I could limit myself to 2-3 drinks a night, I would probably still be drinking.

I think it all comes down to what you think about your drug/alcohol usage. Do you feel out of control? Do you abuse them or take them the way you are suppose to in order to treat your medical problems? Are the meds and alcohol causing problems in your life?

Keep thinking about it and writing about it--it is something only you can answer.