Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are often used interchangeably, but they represent distinct stages of a problematic relationship with alcohol. While both involve excessive drinking, there are crucial differences in terms of severity, impact, and underlying factors. Understanding these distinctions is essential for recognizing the signs of each condition and seeking appropriate help.
Alcohol Abuse Vs Alcoholism: What’s the Main Difference?
Alcohol abuse involves risky drinking habits while alcoholism is a full-blown dependence on alcohol. With alcohol abuse, you might drink too much in certain situations, but you can still control your drinking most of the time. Alcoholism, on the other hand, is a chronic, compulsive need to drink, making it hard to stop even when it causes serious problems.
Think of Alcohol Use Disorder as a spectrum. Alcohol abuse can range from mild to medium while alcoholism is on the severe end. Both are serious issues with serious consequences. Addressing them early is crucial for effective intervention and recovery.
Signs of Alcohol Abuse
Although less severe than alcoholism, alcohol abuse can still pose long-term health risks and affect other aspects of your life. Alcohol abuse, also referred to as problem drinking, can have the following signs and symptoms:
- Slurred speech: Alcohol affects the central nervous system which can result in unclear, garbled speech.
- Poor coordination and reflexes: Alcohol impairs motor skills making it tough to move smoothly and react quickly to stimuli.
- Nausea and vomiting: Drinking too much irritates the stomach lining making you feel sick to your stomach and even leading to vomiting.
- Hangover: Some may feel hungover when they are not drinking.
- Clouded judgment: Alcohol can affect thinking, leading to poor decisions and actions you might regret later.
- Lowered inhibitions: Alcohol reduces self-control causing people to do things they’d normally avoid, such as reckless driving.
- Self-medicating with alcohol: Some people turn to alcohol to handle stress, anxiety, or other emotional issues instead of finding healthier ways to cope.
- Risky drinking: Signs of alcohol abuse include regularly drinking excessive amounts and continuing to drink despite negative effects. Other signs are neglecting responsibilities and risky behaviors while intoxicated.
- Binge drinking: Overconsumption of alcohol, around four or five drinks in a couple of hours, can hint at alcohol abuse.
- Drinking Alone: Alcohol abuse often leads someone into drinking alone or even drinking in secrecy.
Signs of Alcoholism
Alcoholism and alcohol abuse often share the same signs and symptoms. However, alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, usually shows more serious symptoms, along with other warning signs:
- Drinking as Coping Mechanism: People with alcoholism often drink to escape reality or deal with their problems and struggles. They are often unable to relax or feel good without drinking.
- Lying: Aside from drinking in secrecy, people with alcohol dependence often lie about the amount of alcohol consumed. This is often believable to those around them as alcoholics usually develop high alcohol tolerance.
- Blackouts: Alcoholism often results in short-term memory loss or forgetting what happened when drunk.
- Inability to Stop Drinking: Loss of control over alcohol consumption is a key sign of alcoholism. It becomes very difficult to stop drinking and not succumb to compulsive drinking behaviors.
- Physical Dependence: People with alcoholism develop high tolerance which leads to an increasing amount of intake to achieve the same desired effects. This can start a cycle leading to physical dependence.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: As the body adapts to chronic alcohol consumption, any attempt to reduce intake or stop drinking can result in withdrawal symptoms.
Diagnosing Alcohol Use Disorder
If you or a loved one exhibits the aforementioned signs and symptoms, it’s best to see your healthcare provider or reach out to a treatment program specialized in treating alcohol use disorder. A successful recovery starts with a proper diagnosis from a qualified professional.
There are many discussions surrounding the diagnosis of AUD. In general, it would include several steps or tests.
Assessment and Screening
Several assessment questionnaires and screening tools are used for diagnosis. A common tool used is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) from the American Psychiatric Association. The severity of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is based on how many symptoms the person has had in the past 12 months: 2-3 symptoms mean mild AUD, 4-5 symptoms indicate moderate AUD and 6 or more symptoms point to severe AUD. Here are the 11 DSM-5 symptoms/criteria:
- Alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.
- There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.
- A significant amount of time is devoted to obtaining, consuming, or recovering from the effects of alcohol.
- Craving or a strong desire or urge to use alcohol.
- Recurrent alcohol use results in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.
- Continued alcohol use despite persistent social or interpersonal issues caused or worsened by alcohol.
- Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use.
- Consistently using alcohol in risky environments where it endangers physical safety, such as while driving or engaging in dangerous activities.
- Drinking persists even with awareness of ongoing physical or psychological problems that are probably caused or intensified by alcohol use.
- Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
- A need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect, or
- A significantly reduced effect from consuming the same amount of alcohol over time.
- Withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, tremors, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, seizures or delirium tremens.
Physical Exam
Healthcare providers usually perform a physical exam for signs that indicate complications of alcohol use. These may include:
- redness in the face
- skin sores (abscesses)
- unhealthy-looking skin (dry, puffy, etc.)
- yellow skin tone (which may be indicative of liver problems due to alcoholism)
- unexplained bruises (due to reduced platelet count making one prone to bruising)
- numbness and tingling in the hands or feet
Lab and Imaging Tests
Medical providers can test for alcohol biomarkers, which are signs of alcohol exposure or ingestion. Certain test patterns can provide a comprehensive overview and insight into the severity of an alcohol use disorder. Additionally, some tests can identify health problems related to AUD.
Importance of Early Intervention
When it comes to substance dependence such as AUD, early intervention is critical. Catching it early can help with the following:
- Protect relationships: Early intervention helps avoid issues that can affect your job, friendships, family and romantic relationships.
- Cost savings: You can avoid running into financial troubles brought on by medical bills, legal fees, and job loss due to severe alcohol issues.
- Support system: Early intervention means having family, friends, and other support groups early on, giving you the strong support network you may need.
- Prevent escalation: Early intervention can stop heavy drinking from turning into a full-blown alcohol dependence.
- Avoid health problems: It can steer you from serious health issues like liver disease, heart problems, and mental health struggles.
- Improved outcomes: Getting the right help and treatment early gives you a better shot at long-term sobriety.
Find Your Path to Recovery Today
Understanding the key differences between alcohol abuse and alcoholism is crucial for getting the right help. If you think your own or someone else’s drinking habits have become problematic, don’t wait for alcohol to take over your life. Early intervention is key to a successful recovery and long-term sobriety.
At Positive Sobriety Institute, our team of professionals offers comprehensive treatment programs, including evaluation, treatment, relapse prevention, and continuing care. Our treatment center in Chicago, IL provides tailored care and support to guide you through recovery.
Contact us today to start a customized recovery plan and take control of your life with expert guidance and care.
