What is it?
Alcohol dependency and abuse can be described as a pattern of drinking which can result in one or more of the following situations:

 

• Failure to fulfil major work, education or home responsibilities.
• Drinking in dangerous situations, e.g. drink driving, operating machinery.
• Recurring alcohol related problems, e.g. drunk and disorderly charges, losing a driving licence due to alcohol consumption, relationship problems etc.
• Continuing to drink despite having serious problems directly associated with or worsened by drinking alcohol.

 

Is Alcohol Dependency and Alcohol Abuse the Same?
Alcohol dependence is the most severe form of alcohol abuse. Viewed as a chronic disease, a dependency on alcohol is characterised by the consumption of alcohol at a level that interferes with physical and mental health, and with work, family and social responsibilities. Regardless of the serious health, social and sometimes legal problems, a dependent alcoholic will continue to drink alcohol.

 

Alcohol abuse differs from a dependency on alcohol, in that it typically does not include extreme, strong cravings for alcohol or signs of physical dependence, i.e. withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop drinking. However, this is not to suggest that alcohol abuse can be any less detrimental than a dependency on alcohol. Family, work, friends and responsibilities can all be negatively affected as a result of alcohol abuse without developing into an alcohol dependency. Both genetics and environmental factors can contribute to the development of alcoholism, and people from all walks of life can be affected by the illness. Age, gender, volume of alcohol consumed, genes and social environment highlight differences in the alcoholic population. However, all people affected by alcohol abuse and a dependency on alcohol have the same recognisable symptoms.

 

The Symptoms

 

• Craving - a strong, uncontrollable compulsion to drink.
• Loss of self-control - drinking at unsuitable times and occasions, without consideration for the consequences of inappropriate behaviour.
• Tolerance - the individual needs to drink increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel ‘normal’. This is why they always get worse and never better.
• Withdrawal symptoms - including nausea, vomiting, sweating, shaking, visual and auditory hallucinations, anxiety, depression and seizures. In very severe cases withdrawal symptoms can result in death.

 

Have you got a Problem with Alcohol?

If you do not feel you are alcohol dependent, but experience problems with alcohol abuse, you probably recognise that you think about your drinking behaviour regularly. For example, alcohol abusers often know they have a drinking problem if they have:

 

• Considered the amount of alcohol they are consuming and thought about reducing it.
• Been annoyed or angry by any criticism of their alcohol consumption.
• Experienced guilty feelings about their drinking.
• Been drinking alone.
• Lied, concealed or acted secretively about their drinking.

 

Most health problems which are due to alcohol abuse can be avoided if treatment is sought. As a result, legal, social and relationship issues can be avoided, and you can start your recovery by stepping in the direction where you want your life to go - alcohol free.