What is Alcohol Abuse?

Alcohol abuse differs from alcoholism but often leads to becoming addicted to alcohol. Alcohol addiction occurs when there is a physical dependency on alcohol, and a person needs to drink in order to get through the day and/or function normally. It is estimated that there are more than 12 million alcoholics in the United States. At least 6% of the American population are alcoholics.

There is no definite cause for alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction, but there are many contributing factors that are taken into account when diagnosing someone as an alcohol addict. There are certain questions that drug and alcohol treatment professionals ask people when trying to find out if someone is an alcoholic or not, but the reasons for addiction are not always the same. It has been stated that a person’s family history is a strong indicator if someone is or is not an alcoholic, and if you have at least one parent that suffers from alcohol addiction, you are more likely to suffer from the same issues.

Alcohol abuse often starts at an early age and some reasons for its occurrence include peer pressure, low self-esteem, stress, and emotional problems such as depression and anxiety. In addition, if someone is exposed to alcohol frequently and has easy access to beverages such as wine, beer or liquor, they are also more likely to develop a drinking problem. Certain lifestyles are synonymous with drug and/or alcohol abuse, such as the professions of musicians, servers and bartenders. In part, this is due to the fact that these individuals are working in an environment that is surrounded by alcohol, and they can also be stressful situations. Those who have high-stress jobs, and people who make large incomes are also more apt to drink on a regular basis.

If you drink more than 15 drinks per week, or if you drink more than 5 drinks in one sitting, this has also been linked to defining alcohol abuse. Alcoholics drink despite the negative consequences of their drinking, including problems with relationships, finances, and work. There are numerous issues that have been related to alcoholism, but the fact of the matter is that alcoholics drink simply because they drink. It can be said that high stress, genetics, and other problems can be related to cause heavy drinking, but anyone can experience these issues, and not everyone abuses alcohol.

When a person becomes physically dependent on alcohol, their body becomes so used to being intoxicated that they feel the consistent urge to drink just to function. This is known as a functionalalcoholic, and these people often work regular jobs, have successful careers and well-developed relationships, but they still drink. There is no definite way to recognize an alcoholic, and they often hide the alcohol abuse so as not affect others.

Unfortunately, alcohol is so ubiquitous in the United States and other countries that it is hard to escape, and many succumb to the temptation of abusing alcohol on a regular basis. In addition, many alcoholics continue to drink, because if they suddenly stopped, they would be subject to the many different negative effects of alcohol withdrawal, such as anxiety, irritability, insomnia, nausea and even seizures that can lead to cardiac arrest or death. There are a variety of prescription drugs that are used to treat these symptoms, such as benzodiazepines and other medications that reduce the urge to drink. If you are worried that you may be an alcoholic or abuse alcohol on a regular basis, it’s important to realize that alcoholism is a disease, and it can be treated by medical professionals. Many people suffer from this disease, and you are not alone in your struggle. There is help out there for everyone.

What is Alcohol Abuse?