Have you ever found yourself wondering about the difference between someone who “drinks too much” and those who might be dependent on alcohol? The terms alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are used almost interchangeably, yet there are key distinctions between the two that matter when it comes to finding support and treatment.
Alcohol problems aren’t black and white – they exist on a spectrum, with occasional overuse on one end and complete physical dependence on the other. Recent studies have found that nearly one in three Americans drink at levels that could lead to problems – and the numbers have continued to grow in recent years.
But here’s the reality: not everyone who misuses alcohol is dependent on it. Someone might binge drink on weekends or make poor decisions while drinking, but they may not be completely dependent on alcohol to get by day-to-day.
Knowing what alcohol addiction is and how to identify alcohol use disorder may be the necessary information that could save a life.
To help you better understand the varying degrees of alcohol misuse, let’s take a look at what separates alcohol abuse from dependence – both from the science behind alcohol consumption as well as the practical ways to help yourself or someone you know find the help they need.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?
Before we look at the specifics between abuse and dependence, it’s important to understand how medical experts look at alcohol problems. In recent years, doctors and researchers have started looking at alcohol problems through a new lens – what they call Alcohol Use Disorder or AUD.
You can think of AUD as a thermometer – it can range on levels from mild to severe. This isn’t just about how much someone drinks; it’s about how their drinking behavior affects their daily life. Someone with mild AUD might have a few concerning drinking habits, while someone with severe AUD might find their entire life revolving around their next drink.
Here are some common signs that might indicate AUD:
- Drinking more, or longer, than intended
- Trying to cut back or stop drinking but finding it difficult
- Spending more and more hours drinking and recovering from drinking
- Feeling strong urges to drink
- Finding that drinking is interfering with family life, work, or school
- Continuing to drink even though it has (or is currently) causing relationship tension
- Needing to drink more and more to get the same effects of alcohol
- Experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms when the effects of alcohol wear off
A key point here is that you don’t need to hit “rock bottom” to develop a drinking problem. Many individuals with successful careers and stable relationships struggle with drinking alcohol, and it can manifest differently for each person.
Why does knowing this matter? Understanding alcohol disorders can help you determine what type of help is most appropriate for those struggling. Once you know what to look for in an alcohol use disorder, you’re better equipped to help.
What is Alcohol Abuse?
Alcohol abuse typically represents a pattern of unhealthy or dangerous drinking that hasn’t yet developed into physical dependence. Think of it as misusing alcohol in ways that cause problems – even if you aren’t addicted to it.
The common signs of alcohol abuse can include:
- Binge drinking (having 4-5 drinks or more within two hours)
- Making risky decisions while drinking – such as driving or engaging in dangerous physical behavior
- Facing legal problems due to alcohol use
- Continuing to drink despite it causing problems at work or in relationships
- Using alcohol in dangerous situations
- Missing work, school, or family engagements due to the need to drink
While a person might make poor choices around alcohol, alcohol abuse doesn’t typically manifest in an individual being physically reliant on the substance to function. Someone who abuses alcohol can usually stop drinking without experiencing withdrawal symptoms – though they might find it socially challenging.
What Is Alcohol Dependence?
While we’ve covered alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorder, alcohol dependence is a different – and often much more serious – health concern.
When someone has become dependent on alcohol, their body and brain have actually adapted to having alcohol in their system on a near-constant basis. This can create both a physical and psychological reliance on drinking alcohol that leads to a variety of serious health problems.
Some of the key signs of alcohol dependence include:
- Needing more and more alcohol to get the same effect (tolerance)
- Experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, such as shakiness, tremors, anxiety, sweating, nausea, and racing heartbeat
- Constant urges to drink
- Feeling that you need to consume alcohol on a regular basis to maintain your social engagements
- Being able to control your drinking – or losing track of how much you have had – once you begin drinking
One of the key aspects of alcohol dependence is that the withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous for those who suddenly try to stop cold turkey. They may find that once they’ve become alcohol dependent, they continue drinking to avoid withdrawal symptoms and to maintain their mental health services administration.
How Does Treatment Differ For Alcohol Abuse vs. Dependence?
Knowing whether someone is dealing with alcohol abuse or dependence can help on the journey to finding the best treatment options. While some treatment options can help with most alcohol-related struggles, specific substance abuse methods can help in different ways depending on the severity.
Treatment for Alcohol Abuse
When someone is dealing with alcohol abuse, treatment often focuses on behavioral treatment and learning new coping skills. These methods might include individual or group counseling, as well as support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous to help monitor warning signs and manage daily cravings.
Individuals may be shown how to make lifestyle changes or stress management techniques that can help them manage their alcohol use, and some may find they reduce their drinking to moderate alcohol consumption or stop drinking completely.
Treatment for Alcohol Dependence
Treating alcohol dependence usually requires a more comprehensive approach – one that addresses the deeper reasons why someone may become dependent on alcohol. This can include looking into whether or not the individual has a family history of alcohol abuse or if other mental disorders contribute to dependence.
This multi-step process usually involves:
Medical Detox
Usually occurring over 3-7 days, this type of professional help requires monitoring to manage withdrawal symptoms and may be done in a hospital or a specialized facility.
Ongoing Treatment
There is a variety of treatment options that offer ongoing help – including both FDA-approved medications as well as treatments for mental health conditions that could contribute to heavy drinking, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety disorders.
Long-Term Support
Continued medical monitoring and ongoing therapy sessions can help individuals find a new lease on life that removes the desire to drink regularly and connect them with resources to build a better, more stable lifestyle.
Struggling with Drinking Alcohol? There’s Help
Even in the earlier stages of alcohol abuse, it’s wise to seek help. It is much brighter to stop a problem in its tracks than to wait until it has grown out of control.
This seems like an evident sentiment, yet so many people avoid seeking help because they do not consider their behavior harmful. This can lead to a distorted view of reality – one that lends itself toward dependence or worse.
Do you feel like you might have a drinking problem? Give us a call or send us an email today. We would be happy to talk with you and also enroll you in our wide-ranging programs of treatment, such as drug and alcohol detox, drug and alcohol addiction, and intensive inpatient program, among others, so welcome!
FAQ
Can alcohol abuse turn into alcohol dependence?
Continued alcohol abuse can lead to dependence over time as your body develops tolerance to alcohol. You may find that you need more to achieve the same effects, which can, in time, lead to dependence. However, not everyone who abuses alcohol will become dependent on it.
How much alcohol do I need to drink to know if I’m dependent?
There are key signs that may point to alcohol dependence – such as experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking, having urges to drink more to get the same physical and mental effects, being unable to stop drinking despite wanting to, and structuring your day around opportunities to drink.
Can I quit drinking on my own if I’m dependent?
While every case is unique, it is typically extremely challenging to stop drinking on your own once you have become dependent on alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms can be particularly dangerous for those who have become dependent – often requiring medical monitoring in a safe space to fully detox.
Does having an alcoholic parent mean I’ll develop alcohol abuse or dependence?
While family history can increase your risk of developing alcohol related problems, you are not destined to develop a dependence. Being aware of your family history – and how it has impacted those you love – can play a powerful role in how you choose to live your own life.
How long does treatment take?
Treatment length varies depending on individual needs. For alcohol abuse, it might involve several weeks or months of counseling. For dependence, initial detox typically takes 3-7 days, followed by weeks or months of ongoing treatment. Recovery is a long-term process, and many people benefit from continued support even after formal treatment ends.
Research:
- Study finds tens of millions of Americans drink alcohol at dangerously high levels
- What Is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
- Symptoms and Signs of Alcohol Addiction: Am I Addicted to Alcohol?
- Alcohol abuse – Harvard Health
- Alcohol use disorder – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
- Alcohol dependence | Drinkaware
- Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help
- What Medications Are Used to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder?
