We talk about “alcohol and drugs,” placing “alcohol” in its own special category, mainly because alcohol is legal, while most other drugs are not, and it’s deeply embedded into everyday life. If they don’t change their drinking habits, brain cells can change enough that they lose control over alcohol altogether. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most people who abuse alcohol are not alcohol dependent.3 They may have poor habits that put them at risk for a chronic condition like alcoholism. But they don’t have the brain changes and behavior changes that make it hard for them to quit when they want to. A unique difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism is the level of alcohol dependency.

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Alcohol dependence is characterized by symptoms of withdrawal when a person tries to quit drinking. Drug abuse and addiction (now more commonly known as “substance use disorder” or “problematic substance use”) have led to a major health crisis in the U.S. Not only are millions of Americans struggling with substance use disorder, but in 2014 alone, there were more than 45,000 overdose deaths, over half of which involved prescription opioids and heroin.

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It can also be influenced by availability and cultural attitudes toward drinking. With a professional’s help, you can develop a healthier future that doesn’t involve drinking excessively or at all. It’s important to recognize warning signs and seek help if you’re concerned about having a relapse. Health professionals sometimes prescribe medications to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal. Other medications can help you quit drinking by suppressing alcohol cravings or making you feel sick when alcohol enters your body.

Genetic and Biological Factors

On the other hand, alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder, is a chronic condition that involves the compulsive and uncontrollable consumption of alcohol despite negative consequences. It is characterized by physical and psychological dependence on alcohol, leading to a loss of control over one’s drinking habits. Alcoholism can have severe impacts on a person’s physical health, mental well-being, and relationships. The normal consumption of what is the difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism alcohol during social events gradually evolves into life-threatening medical conditions when individuals start overdrinking until their alcohol consumption becomes problematic. People often mix up alcohol abuse with alcoholism, yet these disorders maintain separate definitions. People can select accurate treatment and support options by distinguishing alcohol abuse from alcoholism.

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• This disorder also involves having to drink more to get the same effect or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking.
• These symptoms can range from mild to severe and may indicate the presence of an alcohol problem or warning signs of alcohol addiction.
• However, despite its effectiveness, a substantial number of individuals may return to heavy drinking post-treatment.
• Detox programs are available at certain clinics and medical facilities, where they supervise a person’s drug withdrawal and provide supportive medications, where necessary.

Louisville Recovery Center understands the unique challenges that alcohol inflicts on the lives of those who consume it. Our therapeutic services provide a path for recovery and a plan to sustain long-term sobriety. Understanding these distinctions helps identify whether someone is engaging in problematic drinking behaviors or has developed a chronic dependency condition that requires professional intervention. Alcoholism, or Alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a more severe form of alcohol abuse characterized by both a mental and physical dependence on alcohol. Alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are diagnosed through a combination of medical assessments, behavioral evaluations, and screening tools.

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Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is now the clinically accepted term used by doctors and mental health professionals. Alcohol abusers sometimes benefit from less-intensive treatments such as behavioral therapy and counseling. Alcohol abuse treatment can differ from alcoholism treatment because of differences in severity.

What Is Substance Abuse and Alcohol Abuse?

Be thoughtful about when to use a plural version of this term versus the singular disorder. Behavioral treatments—also known as alcohol counseling, or talk therapy, and provided by licensed therapists—are aimed at changing drinking behavior. Examples of behavioral treatments are brief interventions and reinforcement approaches, treatments that build motivation and teach skills for coping and preventing a return to drinking, and mindfulness-based therapies. If you think you’re struggling with an alcohol use disorder and want professional help,call The Recovery Village. Our helpful representatives can discuss your situation with you, explain your treatment options, and get you started on the path to lifelong recovery. If you see a doctor for your alcohol use, they will not diagnose you as an alcoholic.

Is Alcoholism a Chronic Condition?

Understanding the distinction between alcohol abuse and alcoholism is crucial for identifying the severity of an individual’s alcohol-related issues. Alcohol abuse, often referred to as problem drinking, manifests when alcohol consumption leads to negative consequences in a person’s life, such as failing to fulfill obligations or encountering legal and social problems. Notably, alcohol abuse does not necessarily involve physical dependence or a compulsive need to drink.

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• Recognizing the early signs and risk factors for AUD can help you seek early treatment and intervention to break alcohol misuse patterns.
• Blood tests are often used to evaluate your overall health, with particular attention to parts of the body most affected by excessive alcohol use, such as the heart, liver, brain, and nervous system.

Similarly, if you experience severe withdrawal symptoms when you decrease alcohol intake or stop drinking altogether, you might have a drinking problem. Others use alcohol to cope with psychological issues or stress in their Twelve-step program daily lives. If you have a history of withdrawal symptoms, see a health professional before quitting. You should also see a professional before quitting alcohol if you have other health conditions. But alcohol misuse, also known as excessive drinking, has a more immediate impact, whereas the symptoms of AUD will be more prolonged.