Understand how alcohol abuse and alcoholism are different.
We don’t always realize that there’s a problem with alcohol until it’s too late – unfortunately this is the point in which alcohol abuse transitions into alcoholism. Alcohol consumption is somewhat the norm in the United States and amongst many other countries in social situations, gatherings and even at major events. For some, alcohol consumption is no big deal and never turns into an abusive situation far less into alcoholism but for others, the consumption of alcohol leads to physical dependence and a lifetime of consequences that require professional treatment and care in order to get well.
Understanding the Difference
There’s quite a difference between alcohol abuse vs alcoholism and here’s how it goes: Alcohol abuse is moderate use of alcohol that sometimes includes problems with health, the legal system or other matters but has not progressed to a point in which the drinker cannot function without the use of the substance. Alcoholism is a highly progressive disease that results in an individual’s need to drink in order to function, causing life threatening illness and can lead to liver disease, kidney failure and potentially death.
Is it Alcohol Abuse or Alcoholism?
So how can you really tell if your problematic drinking is the result of alcohol abuse or if it’s alcoholism? Alcohol abusers differ a bit from alcoholics or those who are fully addicted to alcohol. For instance, if you still show signs of having some control over your use of alcohol then it’s not likely that you suffer from alcoholismâat least not yet!
Alcohol abuse is characterized by:
Using alcohol despite known consequences
Having a drink even when you say that you won’t
Drinking despite legal problems, work problems, relationship problems or other troubles
Drinking to relax, de-stress or otherwise mask emotions
Alcoholism is characterized by:
An inability to control drinking
Drinking to function
Drinking to stop feelings of withdrawal such as tremors, shakes, headaches or other hangover effects
Drinking instead of taking part in activities that you once enjoyed
If you or someone you love has a drinking problem, it’s important to recognize how bad the problem is early on in order to prevent things from progressing or getting worse. Alcohol abuse vs alcoholism are definitely two different things, but alcohol abuse can lead to alcoholism so it’s important to recognize the warning signs early on and get help when needed. Help is readily available to assist you in your fight.
So you’ve completed drug rehabânow what? Staying sober after drug rehab is not always as easy as you may think it will be. Sometimes it can be difficult to stay on track when you aren’t in a drug rehab center where everything revolves around recovery. So, when life goes back to normal and you’re on….
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, many children begin to use drugs as early as the age of 12. Most of these children try drugs once or twice and then leave them alone. Unfortunately, as teen experimentation continues to increase the need for teen centered rehab centers also increases. There are several types….
Everyone knows the stereotype of the people who go to drug rehab. Theyâre junkies. Theyâre unclean. They live on the streets, they prostitute, and they donât care about anything but themselves. Thatâs who people think of when they think of drug rehab. Yet, thatâs not the case. Addiction doesnât have biases and there are thousands….
Art therapy, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, is a nontraditional type of therapeutic modality that is considered to be “not only compatible with but also essential to the success of treatment” for many individuals in rehab for drug and alcohol addiction. Art therapy can be extremely beneficial to rehab patients in many….
Many people have a distorted view of rehab that it is a place where conformity and unsolicited advice for personal and interpersonal situations permeate the atmosphere, but, thanks to decades of proven research and studies, the SAMHSA has determined that âcontrolled clinical trials place confrontational approaches among the least effective treatment methods.â It takes a….
Not to be confused with addiction to technology, more and more treatment centers are beginning to use technology in their diagnostic and treatment regiments. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, technology sharing has a profound impact on addiction research and furthering knowledge. Not only is technology allowing public and private sector research teams,….
Alcoholism takes its toll on the alcoholic and their families. An important element of alcohol rehab is building positive relationships with people who will support you during recovery. The alcoholic is never the only one to suffer from this debilitating disease. All family members, including the children, partners, parents, and other loved ones are impacted…..
Addiction, regardless of what the addiction is to, is a deeply psychologically based condition. The roots of addictionâs causes, beginnings, and overall control over a person often are based within the personâs mind. Even if the addiction requires a physical act and has a physical response, it is largely mental. Having an understanding of addiction’s….
According to a study by the NCBI, “spiritual growth and development” is one of the holistic approaches that can be beneficial as part of a full treatment regimen for recovering addicts. In Catholic rehab centers, patients are given treatment that melds traditional and holistic approaches and allows them to explore the spiritual side of their….
Behavioral issues are problematic by themselves but with the added help of substance addiction, they can be amplified. From moodiness to impulsivity, behavioral issues can only be strengthened with the use of a substance and may break up relationships along its destructive path. Substance addiction can fuel behavioral problems in many ways. The Lying Behavior….
Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Calls to any general helpline will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed, each of which is a paid advertiser.
By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. There is no obligation to enter treatment.