Find Local Treatment Options
Call 800-481-6320 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor.Who Answers?

Alcohol Abuse vs Alcoholism

Understand how alcohol abuse and alcoholism are different.

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 alcoholism—at 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.

Call 800-481-6320Who Answers? for immediate help.

Resources:

More Rehab Centers Resources

Does Holistic Rehab Work?

Let holistic rehab help you!

Anytime you ask a question such as, “Does holistic rehab work?” there is a problem with coming up with a solid, and straight answer. This is because, there is no single, one-size-fits-all method of treatment or rehabilitation that will work for every addict and therefore there is no sure way to state whether holistic rehab….

Continue reading

What Happens in Drug Rehab Centers?

addiction help

There are more than 14,500 specialized drug treatment facilities in the United States. These facilities provide counseling, behavioral therapy, medication, case management, and other types of services to persons with substance use disorders to help assist in their recovery from addiction, according to NIDA. Drug abuse and addiction are treated in physicians’ offices and mental….

Continue reading

Finding a Live in Rehab Facility for Addiction Treatment

addiction recovery

Finding rehab treatment can be a difficult process, but it is always important to remember to put the needs of the patient first. If you are looking for a live in rehab facility for addiction treatment, make sure to do your research so you can make an informed decision. Why Choose Addiction Treatment According to….

Continue reading

Why Residential Drug Rehab Programs Work

Let us help you find a residential drug rehab program!

Finding the best drug treatment program for an addict is like finding a needle in a haystack. There’s thousands of drug rehab programs both residential and outpatient but how do you choose the best one? Residential drug rehab programs are designed with the addict’s comfort in mind but each one is very different from the….

Continue reading

Does Childhood Anxiety Lead to Drug Addiction?

Although according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety may lead to drug addiction, it does not ALWAYS lead to addiction. There is a correlation between anxiety disorders and substance use but anxiety does not always result in substance abuse. Anxiety Medications Most medications given for anxiety even in childhood are benzodiazepines. These….

Continue reading

10 Relapse Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Miss

relapse prevention

No one said overcoming addiction was easy. The reality of relapse is a part of recovering from drugs or alcohol addiction. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the relapse rate for drugs and alcohol is about the same as it is for other diseases, including asthma and hypertension. This means that most recovering….

Continue reading

Am I Struggling with a Dexedrine Addiction? When to Consider Treatment

Dexedrine belongs to the amphetamine class of drugs, commonly used to treat conditions involving sleep disorders, ADHD and weight problems. Like most all amphetamine-based drugs, Dexedrine stimulates chemical activities throughout the brain and central nervous system and speeds up bodily processes. This drug also comes with a high risk for abuse and addiction. If you’re….

Continue reading

Can Local Drug Rehab Help My Loved One?

finding rehab program

If a loved one is addicted to any type of drug, it is important that you be there for them at every turn of the road. While they may have made some poor decisions in the past, there is plenty of help to be had. As you begin to search for a drug rehab facility,….

Continue reading

How Rehab Helps in Meth Addiction Recovery

meth addiction help

When it comes to methamphetamine addiction recovery, there are many challenges a person will face along the way. While it may be difficult to overcome this type of addiction, it is something that many people successfully accomplish every year. Some people are able to quit cold turkey, overcoming their meth addiction without any outside help…..

Continue reading

Around the Clock Support at Inpatient Drug Rehab Centers

Inpatient Drug Rehab Centers offer around the clock care that you will need!

Are you ready to get help for addiction? At inpatient drug rehab centers you can expect to receive around-the-clock support and monitoring that assures you get the help you need when you need it the most. Overcoming addiction can be a very difficult task and it may be scary when you first enter drug rehab….

Continue reading

Still can't find the help you are looking for?Get Started Now
Accepted Insurances / View the full list
For inquiries call 800-481-6320 Who Answers?

Accepted Insurances Does My Insurance
Cover This?

Where do calls go?

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: ARK Behavioral Health, Recovery Helpline, Alli Addiction Services.

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.

I NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE NOWI NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE NOW800-481-6320
Who Answers?

Pin It on Pinterest

Shares