Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse is different from alcohol dependence. The key differences are that alcohol abuse does not generally involve dependency on or strong cravings for alcohol. Despite those differences, alcohol abuse treatment may still be necessary to reduce patterns leading to dependency.
What you need to know about Alcohol Abuse
Signs that abuse is present and alcohol abuse treatment might be needed include the presence of any one of the following over the past year:
- Serious problems at work, school, or home (such as neglecting work responsibilities, poor parenting, or performing poorly in school)
- Risk for physical hazards (such as driving or operating heavy machinery while impaired by alcohol)
- Legal problems (e.g., arrests for substance-related problems)
- Continuing to use despite serious problems caused or made worse because of the substance (e.g., arguments with spouse about using, physical fights while using, etc.)
People with alcohol dependency or alcohol addiction exhibit these problems in addition to other symptoms. Over time, abuse may or may not progress to dependence.
Signs that Treatment is Needed
Signs that someone may need alcohol abuse treatment include any one of the following:
- Now or at any time feeling the need to cut down on drinking
- Now or at any time feeling annoyed at others for criticizing your (or your loved one's) drinking
- Now or at any time feeling bad or guilty about drinking
- Now or at any time having a drink first thing in the morning as an "eye opener" to manage a hangover or to steady nerves
