Alcoholism - Alcohol dependence - Alcohol abuse

How do you know you have an alcohol problem?

• Have you ever tried to cut down on your drinking?

• Have you ever felt annoyed when someone talked to you about your drinking?

• Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?

• Have you ever used alcohol in the morning to settle yourself down?

Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease that can be fatal. The condition involves a preoccupation with alcohol and impaired control over alcohol intake. You may continue to abuse alcohol despite serious adverse health, personal, work-related and financial consequences. Alcoholism usually involves physical dependence on the drug alcohol, but genetic, psychological and social factors contribute to this addiction.

It's possible to have a problem with alcohol, but not display all the characteristics of alcoholism. This is known as "alcohol abuse," which means you engage in excessive drinking that results in health or social problems, but you aren't dependent on alcohol and haven't fully lost control over the use of alcohol.

Definition   

Alcoholism is an illness marked by consumption of alcoholic beverages at a level that interferes with physical or mental health, and social, family, or occupational responsibilities. Alcoholism is divided into 2 categories: dependence and abuse.

People with alcohol dependence, the most severe alcohol disorder, usually experience tolerance and withdrawal. Tolerance is a need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or the desired effect. Withdrawal occurs when alcohol is discontinued or intake is decreased. Alcohol dependents spend a great deal of time drinking alcohol, and obtaining it.

Alcohol abusers are "problem drinkers", that is, they may have legal problems, such as drinking and driving, or binge drinking (drinking 6 or more drinks on one occasion). People who are dependent on or abuse alcohol return to its use despite evidence of physical or psychological problems. Those with dependence have more severe problems and a greater compulsion to drink.

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Related Site:

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• Alcoholism

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