We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. I have over four years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges, including mental health issues, addiction, trauma, grief, and other issues individuals may experience. I have experience working in psychiatric hospitals, inpatient, outpatient, detox, and partial hospitalization programs providing clinical social work services.
With proper treatment and support, it is possible to overcome addiction and regain control over your life. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are serious conditions that can be severely detrimental to one’s life if left unmanaged. If you or a loved one suffer from alcohol abuse or alcoholism, there is help available. However, if drinking has negatively affected a person’s life often enough to become a consistent problem, you or a loved one may be suffering from alcohol abuse. Before you decide to stop drinking, talk to a healthcare provider to determine what treatment options are available and whether you would benefit from medical supervision during detox.
Alcohol Abuse vs Addiction: What’s the Difference?
Regardless of whether someone abuses alcohol or has crossed the line into alcohol addiction, there is help available for anyone who struggles with alcohol. Being without alcohol What is the Difference Between Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism for any period of time can make you feel physically ill. Symptoms of withdrawal include headaches, nausea, tremors, and in severe cases, hallucinations and seizures.
In addition, to being a certified Addictions Counselor, Erin is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS), and a Registered Peer Supervisor (RPS). The liver's remarkable ability to heal and regenerate is well-known, particularly in discussions about alcohol abuse or the impacts of an unhealthy diet. This organ's resilience means there's often an opportunity to begin positive lifestyle changes that can… Whatever your stage of alcohol abuse, there’s always something you can do to improve your situation and increase your quality of life, so don’t be afraid to reach out. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous provide a supportive community of people who have gone through similar struggles with alcoholism.
Alcohol Use vs. Alcoholism: What's the Difference?
Children of alcoholic parents are also at a higher risk for developing substance abuse problems themselves later in life. Willpower is not enough to overcome dependence, similar to an addiction to opioids. Unfortunately, this is why many alcoholics drink to the point of isolation, unemployment, and homelessness. There is no level of negative consequences that will overcome the alcoholic’s need to drink because they are mentally and physically unable to make the change for themselves. This inability to change their thinking is also why remission from alcoholism requires very targeted addiction treatment. According to the CDC, up to 90% of people who abuse alcohol don’t currently fit the diagnostic criteria for severe alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder.
In this section, we will explore how to identify when help is needed, the treatment options available, and resources for support and recovery. When exploring the topic of alcohol consumption, it's important to differentiate between alcohol use and alcoholism. While alcohol use refers to the consumption of alcohol in moderation, alcoholism is a chronic condition characterized by an inability to control or stop drinking. Tolerance is when they need to increase the amount of alcohol they drink to experience the same side effects. Increased tolerance then gives way to physical dependence, which is when an individual physically needs to consume alcohol to feel normal. Withdrawal symptoms from alcoholism can be severe and even life-threatening, including agitation, delirium tremens, and seizures.