Alcohol Abuse
There are many problems associated
with the excessive use of alcohol; however they may vary in severity
and range. Alcohol abuse differs from alcoholism in that the drinker
does not experience the same negative mental and physical effects
the alcoholic does. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism defines alcohol abuse as not having the tolerance,
physical craving, dependence or loss of control characteristic
of alcoholism and it also sets standards of abuse over a 12 month
period. If over a prolonged period of time (12 months or longer)
problems related to alcohol continue to arise, then there is probably
a problem with alcohol abuse.
Situations that would normally
occur had the person not been drinking can also help characterize
alcohol abuse. Being unable to be accountable and responsible
in home, work and social situations due to excessive drinking
or drinking even when there are negative consequences are both
signs that a person is leaning towards alcohol abuse. Alcoholism
is a cycle and is considered a progressive disease. Often people
who begin abusing alcohol find that later in life they are unable
to control their drinking and drift downward into the desperation
of alcoholism.
People who abuse alcohol may not
want to admit that they have a problem because they feel shameful
or do not have any desire to change their lifestyle. Like the
alcoholic, a person who abuses alcohol may also be irrational
when it comes to discussing the drinking problem. People who suffer
from alcohol abuse often find they are hurting themselves and
the people who love them even if that is not their intention.
Alcohol abuse can lead to the loss of common sense and good judgment
meaning the abuser will begin to participate in increasingly dangerous
situations such as drunk driving or problems with the law.
If left untreated alcohol
abuse can lead to alcoholism. A person who abuses alcohol
may need help just as much as the alcoholic, however it is more
likely that he/she will be able to stop more successfully. The
alcohol abuser may have the ability to control his/her drinking
if it has not gotten too severe already. If the situation has
progressed farther than normal, the alcohol abuser may want to
consider treatment as a means to treat the problem. Alcohol abuse
treatment works with problem drinkers to figure out why drinking
is so important to them and what patterns and behaviors are consistently
injurious. Together treatment staff and patients are able to work
out action plans that deal with the problem effectively.
