Frequently Asked Questions About Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse

There are many frequently asked questions around the subjects of alcoholism and alcohol abuse that can be answered in a simple format. Understanding the answers to these questions can give others the tools they need to understand those who suffer from alcoholism or alcohol abuse and allow those who have succumbed to alcohol abuse or the disease, alcoholism to seek out the help and support they need to overcome the hold alcohol has on their lives.

Most of the questions concerning alcoholism and alcohol abuse center around understanding what the definition is for both and the consequences of abusing alcohol or becoming dependent on alcohol are to the individual and to those who are close to them. Doctors and other professional healthcare providers can give other valuable information regarding any specific questions you have about alcohol abuse or the disease, alcoholism.

What is alcoholism?

The disease alcoholism is also sometimes referred to as "alcohol dependence". Alcoholism is a chronic disease that has no cure but that can be managed. The disease involves a strong craving for alcohol, withdrawal symptoms when alcohol is not available and an increasing level of tolerance for alcohol and an inability for the individual to stop drinking or to limit the amount of alcohol consumed at will without help and support from professionals who understand the disease and how to manage it. The person suffering from alcoholism needs to learn how to control the craving for alcohol, and what impaired control means as well as physical dependence and tolerance and how managing these symptoms can lead to the ability to manage the disease, alcoholism.

Is alcoholism really a disease?

Alcoholism is a disease, which is chronic and progressive. It is a serious health risk to suffer from alcoholism as well as an economic hardship as many individuals suffering from alcoholism lose jobs and relationships leading to financial ruin. There are symptoms to the disease alcoholism that involves cravings for alcohol, an intolerance level that continues to increase over time, and an inability to control how much alcohol is consumed or the ability to stop drinking alcohol without support from professionals.

There are genetic and environmental risk factors that put some individuals at a higher likelihood of getting the disease alcoholism.

What is alcohol abuse?

Alcohol abuse is different from suffering from the disease, alcoholism. Alcohol abuse is when an individual fails to perform the responsibilities of home, work or school as a direct result of drinking alcohol, gets into trouble with the law while drinking, operates dangerous machinery while drinking alcohol, or continues to drink alcohol despite the direct evidence that doing so is causing problems in a relationship or has caused harm to others. These patterns are caused directly by the drinking and occur within a 12-month period of time.

Individuals who are abusing alcohol do not suffer the same cravings or withdrawal symptoms that those with alcoholism suffer from.

Related Articles

• Distinguishing the Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse - There is certain social acceptance when it comes to the signs and symptoms of alcoholism or alcohol ....
• Alcohol Dependence Syndrome - Alcohol dependence syndrome also known as alcoholism is a chronic disease that has the following cha ....
• Causes and Effects of Alcoholism - Alcoholism is a disease in which an individual has the inability to control the strong craving for a ....
• Spotting the Many Signs of Alcoholism - Did you know that there are millions of individuals walking around the world today who consume alcoh ....
• Alcoholism is a Disease - Like other diseases, alcoholism has signs, symptoms, causes and effects. The hallmarks of alcoholism ....