It is easy to confuse alcohol abuse with alcoholism. However, patients of the two conditions display different ranges of motivations, behavior and after effects. Read on for our list of the bigger distinguishing factors between alcoholism and alcohol abuse.
Different measures and cures
Since alcoholism and alcohol abuse are two different conditions altogether, the ways to deal with these conditions, too, differ immensely. Alcohol abuse is a precursor to alcoholism and it’s a fact most people are not aware of. Therefore, by spreading education and awareness about the repercussions of alcohol abuse, you can help people refrain from alcohol abuse.
Alcoholism, on the other hand, is a condition that requires professional help including detoxification, proper medical care and treatment, counselling etc., along with support from family or self help groups. The good news is, however, that both the conditions can be cured with a strong determination.
How the causes differ
While a number of people turn to abusing alcohol mostly due to peer pressure, a person’s advent into alcoholism may be brought about by a number of social, physiological, psychological or genetic factors. While social acceptance and a desire to ‘fit in’ is associated with alcohol abuse, alcoholism is linked with failing relationships, work problems, low self esteem etc.
Consistency: A deciding factor
Alcoholism is diagnosed when you persist with repeated and weekly episodes of drunkenness, despite knowing that your life is adversely affected by it. You tend to be obsessed with drinking so much so that everything other than alcohol seems secondary. If alcoholism is a disease, alcohol abuse is the just the beginning of it. Therefore, people indulging in alcohol abuse may not necessarily be drinking everyday. To cite an example, binge drinking is a kind of alcohol abuse which can not really be considered an everyday affair.
Alcohol abuse and legal implications
A clear indication of alcohol abuse is when you lose control of yourself under the influence of alcohol and engage in activities such as street fights, driving under the influence, vandalism etc that may further have legal implications. Alcohol abuse is also associated with suicide and violence. However, you would be progressing to alcoholism when you spend most of your days drinking and recovering from its side effects. Alcoholism slowly leads to loss of interest in other social events happening around you, because you can only associate yourself with drinking. Eventually, the end result is a serious energy deprivation in trying to deal with the after effects of the hangover and the continuous cycle of drinking. The lifestyle of an alcoholic is, hence, more withdrawn and passive as compared to that of people suffering from alcohol abuse.
Choice versus obligation
People who turn to alcoholism have problems with trying to quit alcohol, despite their endeavors to refrain from drinking. This happens primarily due to the reason that for them, drinking is more of an obligation, as against alcohol abusers who drink only because they want to. Alcoholism is a habit that can be overcome by entering into an inpatient or outpatient alcohol treatment program that provides detox as well as a plan to develop a strategy for leading an alcohol-free life.
Quantity and effect
You could be on the verge of alcoholism if you are drinking much more than you actually wanted and for longer than what you had intended. This happens when the brain gets accustomed to a particular level of alcohol intake and treats it as a basic necessity. A feeling of losing control of your determination to stop over-drinking and giving in to urges is a strong sign of alcohol addiction or alcoholism. In case of alcohol abuse, however, it is not so much about the quantity as it is about the effect. People indulging in alcohol abuse do not seem to care as to how much, how little or how often they get to drink, as long as they’re able to get a ‘kick’ out of it.
Withdrawal symptoms
Another major distinguishing factor between alcoholism and alcohol abuse are the withdrawal symptoms. If you need a drink to get rid of shakiness in the morning, it means that your body is exhibiting the symptoms of alcoholism. If you feel the necessity to pack in a drink at the oddest of places in order to get rid of withdrawal symptoms, it is a clear indication that you are heading towards alcoholism. In case of alcoholism, your body begins to exhibit withdrawal symptoms such as trembling, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, irritability, depression, fatigue, headache, loss of appetite etc when deprived of alcohol. At times, the withdrawal symptoms can be very severe and dangerous such as seizures, confusion, hallucinations, agitation and fever. Thus, withdrawal symptoms are a characteristic feature of alcoholism and may not be synonymous with alcohol abuse.
One leads to the other
Although, a number of times alcohol abusers go on to become alcoholics, one must remember that this isn’t really the norm. If a person considers intoxication as a way of escaping a mental state of disturbance, then he is at a high risk of becoming an alcoholic. While some people drink alcohol to achieve a relaxed state of mind, some indulge in alcohol abuse for thrills or for fun. Therefore, it would be safe say that if alcoholism is a disease, alcohol abuse is just the beginning of it.
A thin line separates alcohol abuse from alcoholism
Even though the two terms sound quite similar, there is a thin line of difference between alcoholism and alcohol abuse. Alcoholism is a condition where you are completely dependent on alcohol. This involves excessive intake of alcohol despite knowing that it is affecting your health, your work or your personal and social life. Alcohol, at this point, essentially takes control of your relationships and life in general.
In order for a person to be at a high risk for developing alcoholism, he or she should be consuming more than 12-15 drinks in one week or having five or more drinks in one single occasion on a weekly basis. Alcoholism can also be passed on genetically, but the likelihood is stronger if you have an alcoholic parent. Other psychological issues that are linked with alcoholism include schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, low esteem, stress, relationship issues, peer pressure and so on.
On the other hand, alcohol abuse is a form of substance abuse, involving the harmful use of alcohol that may further trigger various other problems. Alcohol abuse may or may not include physical addiction to alcohol, and the desire to achieve intoxication may also not be present.
