Alcohol Abuse vs Alcoholism: Key Differences Explained

If you or someone you know exhibits these symptoms, seeking help from a healthcare provider is recommended. Early treatment can prevent the progression to alcohol use disorder (AUD) and reduce the risk of long-term health complications. Alcohol abuse, as delineated by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), refers to a pattern of drinking that results in significant and recurrent adverse consequences.

Behavioral symptoms of excessive drinking

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. If they don’t change their drinking habits, brain cells can change enough that they lose control over alcohol altogether. Organizations like the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism consider these terms synonyms.7 Both involve the loss of control over alcohol intake, compulsive drinking, and negative feelings when alcohol isn’t available.

Overlapping Symptoms

You might experience withdrawal symptoms regardless of your addiction severity. Alcohol abusers sometimes benefit from less-intensive treatments such as behavioral therapy and counseling. A unique difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism is the level of alcohol dependency.

• There are many signs of alcohol use disorder, but you will know your loved one has developed this condition if you can no longer get through the day or week without drinking.
• Mental health professionals use it nationwide to categorize and diagnose individuals seeking treatment.
• Many times people use it to refer to someone who simply drinks too much.
• The first step is always to see your doctor about your struggles and learn what they recommend depending on how severe the alcohol use is.
• Yet they continue to drink despite these consequences, which can lead to long-term issues with their physical or mental health.

From our mental health blog

“Research shows that women develop alcohol-related health problems more quickly and with lower levels of consumption than men,” Dr. Wilsnack notes. “That’s probably because women’s bodies have less water, so they have a higher blood-alcohol concentration when they consume the same amount as men.” Though some people may view terms like “alcoholic” as unhelpful or negative, many still use this term to describe their experience with AUD.

• You should also see a professional before quitting alcohol if you have other health conditions.
• Even if they decide not to drink because of something important, they frequently do it anyway.
• Plus, it’s not always easy to spot the signs.But recovery is possible, even for people with more severe disorders.
• People who are problem drinkers and those struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD) both have unhealthy relationships with alcohol, but problem drinkers aren’t necessarily addicted to alcohol nor have an AUD.

Research has substantially improved understanding of the etiology, course, and treatment of co-occurring AUD and depressive disorders. However, significant gaps remain in our understanding of these two disorders, and these gaps present important opportunities for future research. Alcoholism is now considered an outdated term for describing a condition that causes people to crave and consume alcohol inappropriately or excessively despite negative impacts on their lives or health. AUD has been used as the official diagnostic term since 2013, when the DSM-5 updated its criteria (5). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most people who abuse alcohol are not alcohol dependent.3 They may have poor habits that put them at risk for a chronic condition like alcoholism. But they don’t have the https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/abuse-in-older-adults-a-growing-threat/ brain changes and behavior changes that make it hard for them to quit when they want to.

Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic condition characterized by compulsive alcohol consumption and an inability to control or stop drinking despite negative consequences. The long-term effects of alcoholism can be devastating and impact various aspects of an individual’s health. Someone engaging in alcohol abuse may regularly consume excessive amounts of alcohol but might not show signs of physical dependence or withdrawal symptoms (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2021). Key indicators of alcohol abuse include what is the difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism drinking in dangerous situations, such as before driving, experiencing legal issues related to drinking, and continued drinking despite the problems it creates. Addressing alcohol abuse and alcoholism requires a multifaceted approach that includes a range of treatment options tailored to individual needs. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) outlines several evidence-based treatments, including behavioral therapies, medications, and support groups.

According to information from the National Institutes of Health, these discomforts usually peak 24 to 72 hours after your last drink, but they may last for weeks. While the two are no longer differentiated in the DSM, understanding their original definitions can still be helpful. This article discusses alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, and the key differences between them.

Addiction Questions?

Alcohol use disorder is a diagnosable condition characterized by excessive drinking that becomes uncontrollable and/or negatively impacts a person’s life or health. Alcoholism is no longer diagnosed but is instead an everyday term used to describe symptoms of AUD (7). AUD describes a diagnosable condition that involves drinking alcohol excessively or uncontrollably to the point that it negatively affects your life or health. AUD exists on a spectrum, meaning you can have a mild, moderate or severe case.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classifies various mental illnesses and disorders. Mental health professionals use it nationwide to categorize and diagnose individuals seeking treatment. Behavioral treatments—also known as alcohol counseling, or talk therapy, and provided by licensed therapists—are aimed at changing drinking behavior. Examples of behavioral treatments are brief interventions and reinforcement approaches, treatments that build motivation and teach skills for coping and preventing a return to drinking, and mindfulness-based therapies.