Difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism

Posted By: Sm Adminon: January 06, 2016In: Miscellaneous

Alcohol abuse:
Alcohol abuse is the pattern of drinking which results in harm one’s health, interpersonal relationships, or ability to work. Alcohol abuse has short term and long term risks. It can be treated with counselling and rehabilitation. It may lead to another disorder known as alcoholism.
Alcoholism:
Alcoholism is the uncontrolled consumption of alcohol. It affects the person’s social life. Alcoholism is also considered as a disease. Alcoholism can be treated through detoxification, medical treatment, therapies, rehabs, counselling and self-help groups.
Differences:

Basis	Alcohol abuse	Alcoholism
Definition (www.oxforddictionaries.com)	The habitual excessive use of alcohol	Addiction to the consumption of alcoholic drink; alcohol dependency
Characteristics	Its characteristics are: Drinking when it is dangerous (e.g., while driving) Frequent, excessive drinking Interpersonal difficulties with family, friends, or coworkers caused by alcohol Legal problems related to drinking	Its characteristics are: Drinking excessive amounts frequently Inability to curb drinking despite medical, psychological, or social complications Increased tolerance to alcohol Occurrence of withdrawal symptoms when the person stops drinking
Synonyms	Substance abuse, drinking, dipsomania, hitting the bottle, alcoholic abuse	Drunkenness, alcohol addiction, dependence, intoxication, tipsiness
Terminology	Alcohol abuse replaces the term alcoholism due to the recommendation of the experts in World Health Organization.	Alcoholism replaces the term dipsomania.
Pronunciation	Eng (UK): /ˈalkəhɒl/ /əˈbjuːz/ Eng (US): /ˈalkəˌhôl/ /ˈalkəˌhäl/ /əˈbyo͞oz/	Eng (UK): /ˈalkəhɒlɪz(ə)m/ Eng (US): /ˈalkəhôˌlizəm/
Signs	The signs of alcohol abuse are: Taking serious risks while drinking – maybe you drink and drive or you mix alcohol with prescription drugs to enhance your high. Continue to use alcohol even when you get sick or hurt from drinking. Your drinking is attached to emotions, such as drinking to destress or to cope with feelings of depression.	The signs of alcoholism are: Losing control – you cannot stop yourself from drinking too much and too often, no matter how hard you try. Drinking in spite of the legal, financial and personal problems that it is causing you. Allowing alcohol, drinking and thinking about drinking to dominate your day-to-day responsibilities and activities.
Symptoms	Alcohol abuse shows signs like insomnia and irritability.	Physical signs of a person suffering from alcoholism involve sexual dysfunction, epilepsy and deficiency of one’s nutrition.
Disadvantages	Its disadvantages are: Alcohol poisoning Sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancy Liver damage Neurological damage Sexual dysfunction	Its disadvantages are: Neglecting major responsibilities at work, school or home. Drinking in hazardous situations, such as driving while intoxicated. Drinking that leads to recurrent legal problems, such as arrests for disorderly conduct. Continued drinking even when it leads to recurrent social problems–for example, violent arguments.
Example in Sentence	He was put in the rehab for alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse has become the third leading cause of the death.	Alcoholism is one of the worst addictions a person can have. He ruined his life due to alcoholism.