This guide clears up the confusion between alcohol dependence vs alcoholism.
- Alcohol dependence means you can’t stop drinking without feeling sick or uncomfortable. People often keep drinking to avoid these withdrawal symptoms.
- Alcoholism is another name for alcohol use disorder. It’s a long-lasting condition where a person feels a strong need to drink alcohol, even when it causes bad things to happen in their life.
Read on to learn how to tell the difference between alcohol dependence and alcoholism. You can also discover how to get effective alcohol addiction treatment.
What Is Alcohol Dependence?
Alcohol dependence is a long-lasting medical condition. It means a person needs to keep drinking to avoid feeling sick or uncomfortable, which are called withdrawal symptoms. When someone is dependent on alcohol, they show some or all of these signs:
- Alcohol tolerance: Needing to drink more alcohol over time to feel the same effects. For example, if you used to feel good after three drinks, now you might need five.
- Withdrawal symptoms: Feeling physical symptoms like trouble sleeping, shaking, and mood swings when you don’t drink for a short time.
- Drinking to avoid withdrawal: Drinking alcohol to stop feeling shaky or to get rid of a hangover.
- Craving alcohol: Having a strong desire to drink, even if you don’t tell others about it.
- Drinking more than intended: Drinking more alcohol or for a longer time than you planned, and not being able to cut down even if you try.
Understanding these signs can help you recognize if someone has alcohol dependence. Getting help from a doctor or support group is important for managing this condition.
What Is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism – alcohol use disorder – is a common medical condition affecting 29.5 million U.S. adults. People with alcoholism can’t stop drinking, even if it causes problems in their lives and the lives of those around them. They might promise to quit or cut down but find they can’t.
Drinking too much can cause problems at home, work, or school. It can also harm relationships with family and friends. Alcoholism can vary in how bad it is – it can be mild, moderate, or severe. Some people might drink a lot every day, while others might have major drinking episodes now and then. Long-term drinking can cause serious health problems, like liver disease, heart problems, and brain damage.
People with alcoholism often have strong cravings for alcohol. These cravings can make it very hard to resist drinking. Treatments can help. MAT (medication-assisted treatment) and behavioral therapy are common ways to treat alcoholism. These treatments can help people reduce how much they drink or stop drinking altogether. Even after treatment, some people might start drinking again. With ongoing support and treatment, though, many people can manage their drinking and live healthier lives.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism, seek help. Doctors, counselors, and support groups can provide the assistance needed to start the journey to recovery.
