Since very recently, the understanding of alcohol use and its associated disorders has been up for debate. The traditional, binary view of individuals as either “alcoholics” or “non-alcoholics” is being challenged by a more nuanced perspective that recognises a spectrum of problematic alcohol use. This shift is a direct reflection of the varied experiences of individuals and their own relationships with alcohol.

A great example of this evolving perspective has been highlighted in Molly-Mae Hague’s recent Amazon Prime documentary. The series offered an intimate look into her personal life, including the challenges with her partner Tommy Fury’s alcohol use. This situation highlighted in the programme opened up the discussion about when alcohol becomes a problem and showed the complexities of alcohol-related issues and the importance of redefining how society perceives and addresses them.

This article explores whether we are redefining what it means to have an alcohol problem and where the shift in perspective may be coming from.

Understanding the Traditional Views on Alcoholism

Alcoholism has also been viewed and defined in a very specific way: An individual either has a drinking problem or does not.

This perspective often means individuals are categorised as “alcoholics,” implying they are suffering from alcohol addiction, a chronic, progressive disease characterised by an inability to control drinking.

Morton Jellinek, who was a prominent researcher in alcohol research, introduced the “disease concept of alcoholism” in the mid-20th century. He suggested that there were various types of alcoholism, each with specific characteristics, supporting the fact that alcoholism should be defined as a medical disease.

Although this early research has shaped appropriate treatment options for alcohol addiction, this model has faced criticism for its limited scope and for not accounting for the diverse patterns of alcohol use observed in individuals.

The Spectrum of Alcohol Use

Modern research somewhat supports a broader view of alcohol use and redefining what it means to have an alcohol problem, recognising it as something that can vary in different degrees.

This spectrum ranges from low-risk drinking to hazardous use and, ultimately, to alcohol use disorder (AUD). This type of framework acknowledges that not all individuals who consume alcohol excessively fit the description of someone with alcohol addiction and that interventions should be broadened and tailored to the severity and context of individual drinking habits.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines various drinking patterns:

  • Moderate drinking: Up to one drink per day for women and up to two for men.
  • Binge drinking: Consuming four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men within (roughly) two hours.
  • Heavy alcohol use: Binge drinking on five or more days in any given month.

Understanding these categories helps in identifying where an individual’s drinking habits fall on the spectrum and determining appropriate interventions.

Where Is This Shift In Perspective Coming From?

Much of this shift in perspective is coming from Gen Z and younger millennials. But it’s also resonating with broader groups and communities who are interested in mental health, wellness, and challenging norms around substance use.

There’s a growing, sober curious movement. It involves people across various age groups, that focuses on questioning the role of alcohol in their lives, even if they don’t consider themselves alcoholics.

For Gen Z, the change is partly due to a cultural environment that is more open to discussing mental health, self-care, and breaking down stigmas around addiction. They are less likely to accept outdated or binary definitions of substance abuse. They are more inclined to view alcohol as something that can have effects on mental and emotional well-being rather than just being a question of “problem or not.”

The wellness and mindfulness communities are also fueling this shift, and we’re seeing this across TikTok, Instagram and podcast channels. There’s an increasing focus on healthier lifestyles, personal growth, and open conversations about how substances make us feel. So, alcohol’s potential negative impact is being put at the centre of conversations, especially in relation to how it affects overall life satisfaction.

Social media has, without a doubt, played a huge role in normalising these conversations. People on these platforms are becoming more open to sharing personal experiences and discussing their relationship with alcohol openly.

This helps to shift the narrative by openly talking about how alcohol doesn’t always lead to addiction but can still negatively affect people’s lives. These discussions are reaching a wide audience. This includes those who may not necessarily identify as alcoholics but are questioning how alcohol fits into their lives.

Molly-Mae Hague’s Influence on the Topic of Alcohol Misuse

In “Molly-Mae: Behind It All,” Molly-Mae Hague offers a candid account of her relationship with Tommy Fury. This touches on the challenges they faced due to Tommy’s drinking habits. However, there was one very poignant comment she said that was used to open up the conversation about how we look at alcohol dependency. It was, “He’s never had an alcohol problem, but alcohol caused problems for us.”

The shift in how we define what it means to have an alcohol problem sparked by conversations like Molly-Mae’s open discussion on alcohol misuse. It’s reflecting a growing recognition that the impact of alcohol isn’t just about the classic signs of addiction. People are now starting to understand that alcohol can have a broader, more subtle impact, even if the person doesn’t fit the clinical definition of an alcoholic.

Is a New Perspective Helpful?

This new perspective suggests that the real harm doesn’t always come from someone having an alcohol use disorder. Instead, it’s about the way alcohol can create dysfunction or damage in a person’s life or relationships. Even if they aren’t entirely dependent on it.

As society and the younger generations are becoming more open about discussing emotional and psychological well-being, people recognise that habits, substances, and behaviours don’t need to reach a point of full addiction to warrant reflection and change. For many, it’s about evaluating how alcohol affects their life and deciding if those impacts are worth tolerating and what having a problem with alcohol means for them as individuals.

This shift is not focused on the black-and-white labels like “alcoholic”. It focuses on a more complex understanding of how alcohol affects us personally. People are asking whether drinking, even in moderation, might be causing more harm than good – whether emotionally, socially, or mentally.

The conversation is evolving to recognise that alcohol doesn’t need to be a “problem” in the traditional sense to deserve consideration.

Could this Mean We Are Moving Towards Redefining What It Means to Have an Alcohol Problem?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), has embraced this spectrum approach by introducing the diagnosis of alcohol use disorder.

AUD covers a range of problematic drinking behaviours, classified as mild, moderate, or severe, based on the number of criteria met by an individual.

Researchers have developed a new framework that they believe will help identify people previously overlooked for AUD. This framework focuses on 13 risk factors, such as:

  • Impulsive behaviour
  • Reward sensitivity
  • Punishment sensitivity.

This understanding encourages a more personalised approach to treatment. It’s acknowledging that individuals may require different strategies based on where they fall on the alcohol use spectrum.

So, Are We Redefining What It Means to Have an Alcohol Problem? The Key Takeaways

The movement to redefine reflects a growing recognition of the complexities surrounding alcohol use. By looking at it as a spectrum-based approach, we can better address the experiences of individuals. This can allow us to move away from stigmatising labels to provide support and resources tailored to varying needs.

Molly-Mae Hague’s candid approach to alcohol misuse in her documentary put a spotlight on the importance of this shift. It highlights that alcohol-related challenges can affect anyone, regardless of public persona.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol, get in touch today. Call us on 01253 847 553 for more information on the support we can provide.

John Gillen - Director at Ocean Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: February 24, 2025

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.