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.
Overall, it’s up to the addict to decide on when or if he or she will make a commitment to his or her own recovery but there are some steps that loved ones can do to encourage the process. One of the most important steps that family members and friends of the addict should take is to….
One of the hardest parts of drug addiction is admitting that you have an addiction that you need help with. Knowing this is very debilitating and sometimes embarrassing. One of the things that is even more humiliating is having someone go through your belongings, telling you what you can and cannot have. There is however,….
Relapses are unfortunately a large part of addiction and may happen despite our best efforts. They can sneak up on you, and determining if an event is going to trigger a relapse can be a daunting task. Experiencing a traumatic event can often be one of the biggest ways a person can relapse back into….
A study on the role of social supports in recovery from Alcohol Treatment Quarterly states “general friendship is important for overall well-being” but can be especially necessary and beneficial to those in recovery. It is very helpful for recovering individuals to be visited by their friends, family, significant others, etc. at their treatment facility, but….
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there is an addiction severity index. This index was first developed in 1980. In today’s world of addiction and addiction recovery, doctors sometimes have a difficult time deciding whether to put a patient on medications that are potentially addictive. Since the recent legislation penalizing doctors for prescribing….
You might have heard the expression all addicts lie. This is true, all addicts due lie. One of the people that they lie to the most is themselves. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, one of the characteristics of drug abuse is lying. It is very difficult to tell whether or not you….
Palm Partners of Delray Beach, Florida provides the most private luxury rehab center in the country offering exclusive help for business executives, professional athletes and celebrities. (Delray Beach, Florida: 8/11/2011): Palm Partners introduces a private, ultra confidential, ultra luxury rehab center that provides the most effective addiction treatment services in the industry. Located in Delray….
When you have a loved one who you are particularly close to and you realize that he or she may be in trouble it can be devastating. Sometimes, we notice that our loved ones need help for their alcoholism long before they are willing to admit that there is a problem—but what is a loved one….
The number of people who suffer from prescription drug addiction is simply alarming—it’s in the millions and more people seemingly become addicted every single day. Prescription drugs are creating the fasting growing addiction epidemic ever! In fact, this substance abuse issue poses significant problems for both the patients and the physicians because there is a typical scenario….
As stated by the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, “In many ways, hardcore drug users are isolated from society. Their addiction affects not only them but also their families and friends as well as the larger community.” And when an individual needs to attend inpatient care to help them cope with addiction and begin to….
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.
