The Alcohol Treatment Navigator provides a wealth of treatment resources, including tips on finding a quality treatment center and a toolkit for your search. You can also visit the SAMHSA site to search for alcohol and drug rehab centers anywhere in the United States. Hawaii Island Recovery, the Big Island’s premiere residential substance abuse rehabilitation facility for adults, offers a comprehensive treatment program in a tranquil and healing environment. Keep in mind, too, that AUD can have effects that extend beyond your physical health. According to the World Health Organization’s Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health 2018, roughly 70 percent of alcohol-attributable deaths happen as a result of health issues.

Impact on Mental and Emotional Health

The terms alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. It’s important to understand the difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence because they can have different consequences and may require different treatments. Severity is based on the number of criteria a person meets based on their symptoms—mild (two to three criteria), moderate (four to five criteria), or severe (six or more criteria). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 17 percent of the U.S. population 18 years old and over will fulfill criteria for alcohol or drug or other substance abuse during their lifetimes. When the effects on the families of abusers and people close to those injured or killed by intoxicated drivers are considered, such abuse affects untold millions more.

• Health professionals sometimes prescribe medications to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal.
• But as of 2013, alcoholism is no longer considered a diagnostic term used by medical professionals (2).
• In some cases, drinking alcohol leads to legal trouble, such as driving offences or public disturbances.
• Whether one is dealing with alcoholism or alcohol abuse, seeking appropriate treatment is essential for recovery.
• Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are two common terms used to describe various patterns of alcohol use.
• In the long run, repeated alcohol consumption may increase your risk of depression or anxiety.

What’s the Difference Between Alcohol Dependence and Alcohol Abuse?

The FDA has approved medications like naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram to help manage AUD. However, comprehensive what is the difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism treatment often involves a combination of therapy, medication, and support networks to address the multifaceted nature of the disorder. AUD affects a significant portion of the population, with millions of adults and adolescents experiencing its detrimental effects.

Seeking Help and Treatment for Alcohol Problems

• If you do not drink already, it’s recommended that you don’t start drinking.
• No matter what the consequences are, people with severe AUD continue drinking.
• Alcohol tolerance occurs when a person needs to consume more alcohol to achieve the same effects, as the body becomes accustomed to its presence.
• For example, excessive drinking can increase the risk of liver disease, pancreatitis, and certain cancers.

People who qualify as heavy drinkers tip into the territory of alcohol abuse. This lowers their inhibitions and decision-making skills, landing them in dangerous situations more often. Still, although they drink heavily at the beginning, they can still usually put alcohol down after a certain point. This is one of the biggest differences between alcoholism and alcohol abuse. heroin addiction Alcohol abuse is reckless overuse and misuse of alcohol, causing a behavioral pattern that disrupts daily life.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provide a community of individuals with shared experiences and a commitment to sobriety. For those with severe alcohol use disorder, residential treatment programs offer an immersive environment with access to medical and psychological support. From a psychological standpoint, alcoholism can lead to cognitive deficits, memory loss, and emotional disturbances. It can exacerbate mental health issues and increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. The nervous system can also bear the brunt of prolonged abuse, with conditions such as neuropathy and an increased likelihood of developing Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which affects movement and memory. Moreover, alcohol weakens the immune system over time, making the body more susceptible to infections and impairing its ability to fight illnesses.

When you’re dependent on alcohol, if you reduce how much you drink or stop, you have withdrawal symptoms. Help should be considered when drinking alcohol affects health, mood, and responsibilities, or when attempts to cut back feel difficult or unsuccessful. At Twilight Recovery, we provide care for alcohol abuse and alcoholism with practical support and a team that listens. If you feel shaky, nauseous, anxious, or restless after skipping alcohol, your body may have developed chronic alcohol dependence.

Effects of Alcohol Abuse and Dependence

Therapy can help people with alcohol abuse and alcoholism learn how to cope with cravings and triggers. It can also help them address any underlying issues that may be contributing to their drinking. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement therapy are two common types of therapy that can be used to treat alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are two distinct conditions that are often confused. Alcohol abuse involves drinking too much, while alcoholism is an addiction to alcohol.