Alcoholism - Introduction

Introduction

Alcohol use disorders refer to excessive drinking behaviors that can create dangerous conditions for an individual and others. Alcohol use disorders are generally categorized as:

Alcohol Abuse. Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in adverse outcomes such as:

• Failure to fulfill work or personal obligations
• Recurrent use of alcohol in potentially dangerous situations
• Problems with the law
• Continued use in spite of harm being done to social or personal relationships

Alcohol use can lead to alcohol dependence (alcoholism).

Alcohol Dependence (Alcoholism). Alcohol dependence is the medical term for alcoholism. Alcohol dependence is characterized by:

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• Increased amounts of alcohol are needed to produce an effect (tolerance)
• Withdrawal symptoms (nausea, sweating, irritability, tremors, hallucinations, and seizures) develop when drinking is stopped or reduced
• Constant craving for alcohol and inability to limit drinking
• Continuing to drink in spite of the knowledge of its physical or psychological harm to oneself or others

Levels of Drinking

A person is affected by the amount of alcohol consumed, not the type. Beer and wine are not “safer” than hard liquor; they simply contain less alcohol per ounce.

The following drinking categories use a definition of “one drink” as 12 ounces of beer, 8 - 9 ounces of malt liquor, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces (a jigger or shot) of 80-proof liquor. Therefore, 12 ounces of beer is equivalent to 5 ounces of wine, or a 1.5 ounce short of hard liquor.

Moderate Drinking. Moderate drinking may possibly decrease the risk of heart disease when it is part of other heart-healthy behaviors. However, even small amounts of alcohol should be avoided in certain circumstances, such as before driving a vehicle or operating machinery, during pregnancy, when taking medications that may interact with alcohol, or if you have a medical condition that may be worsened by drinking.