How to Identify Alcohol Abuse

« What is Addiction? | Main | More Facts About Alcohol »

Do you know that alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are two completely different conditions? One is an addiction, and one is not. One does not have a withdrawal syndrome, and the other does. One involves risky and irresponsible behavior while drinking, and the other involves a need to drink every day or binge-drink. Both are serious types of problem drinking.

Alcohol dependence is a form of addiction; your body undergoes physical changes to adapt itself to the constant presence in your body. Also called alcoholism, this condition produces very serious withdrawal symptoms that can be fatal. Alcohol abuse is not an addiction to alcohol; it involves excessive drinking and then engaging in risky and irresponsible behavior. Try this simple quiz about alcohol abuse:

Over the Past Twelve Months,

Have you frequently failed to fulfill your major role obligations at work, school or home because of excessive drinking?
Have you frequently engaged in risky or hazardous behavior after drinking to excess?
Have you had legal consequences because of excessive drinking?
Have you continued drinking to excess despite experiencing the three consequences listed above?

Any “yes” answer to these questions could indicate that you have a serious problem with alcohol abuse that will only grow worse if you don’t do something about it. To help you further understand alcohol abuse, ask yourself these questions:
1) How often have you missed school or work because you’re hung over or wake up late? Does your spouse or partner complain about your drinking because it interferes with your relationship and you duties at home? Have you neglected your children because you were drunk or hung over?
2) Does your drinking make you a risk to yourself and others? Do you drink and drive? Do you operate machinery when you’re drunk or hung over? Do you start physical fights when you drink too much? Do you engage in risky sexual behavior when you’re drinking?
3) How many times have you been arrested for DUI? Are you getting a divorce because of your drinking? Have you been arrested for assault, domestic violence, reckless driving, hit and run, or any other legal problem due to your excessive drinking?
4) Do you continue to drink heavily even though you’ve experienced negative consequences, your friends and family have advised you to slow down or stop?

In its way, alcohol abuse is just as dangerous and life-threatening as alcohol dependence. “But it’s only alcohol abuse; I’m not an alcoholic,” you may say. True, but alcohol abuse is not a condition to take lightly. Denial is just as pervasive in alcohol abuse as it is with alcohol dependence. Alcohol abuse will catch up with you eventually: how would you feel if, while driving drunk, you injured or killed another person? Alcohol abuse does not always lead to alcoholism, but it certainly can. Since alcohol is a powerfully addictive substance, continuous alcohol abuse may turn the corner, and you will find yourself addicted. This doesn’t have to happen. Alcohol abuse can destroy your life just like addiction can. Ask yourself one last question: how would you like to spend 15 years in prison because you negligently killed someone while you were drunk?