Combat Alcoholism

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Alcohol Abuse versus Alcohol Dependence

Alot of times we hear the terms “alcohol abuse” and “alcohol dependece” interchanged but are they the same thing?

The short answer is “no”.  Each term describes what can be a different stage of alcoholism.

Alcohol Abuse does not automatically mean that someone is an alcoholic.  It does, however, imply that they have a problem which may lead to alcoholism if not put in check.

When alcohol abuse progresses to alcoholism, also called alcohol addiction or alcohol dependence, the drinker loses control of the amount they drink and cannot stop using alcohol despite the severe physical and psychological consequences of excessive drinking.

So, how can you tell what stage someone is at?  Here are some warning signs of alcohol abuse vs. alcohol dependence:

Signs of Alcohol Abuse

• Continued drinking despite health problems effected or caused by drinking
• Driving under the influence
• Putting oneself or others in danger
• Continued Drinking despite it effecting work or school

Essentially, we are talking about “reckless drinking”.

Signs of Alcohol Dependency

• Cravings for alcohol at specific times of the day or the very next morning
• Being unable to stop drinking once you have started
• Not remembering conversations or commitments and lose of interest in things that you once enjoyed doing

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