Alcohol Dependence VS Alcohol Abuse – What is the Difference?

Late nights partying at the club – is ok, every now and again.  Going to the occasional dinner gathering or holiday event, where alcohol is overconsumed, perfectly fine.  Binging daily or making it a continuous habit, not so cool.  This type of dangerous behavior could possibly turn deadly.  Alcohol is cunning, baffling, and powerful and it is out to destroy.  It does not discriminate, care what your socioeconomic status is, the size of your family or chosen profession.

Let’s define what alcohol dependence VS alcohol abuse is:

Being dependent on an alcoholic drink, both psychologically and physically.  According to the DSM – 5, in 2013, it was reclassified as alcoholism

Once you take the first drink, you cannot stop.  You are unable to put your drink down and you are powerless over the magical liquid. You are drinking to get drunk, every single day.

Alcoholism has you telling yourself you will quit soon, but you are unable to.  For example, you mark days off on the calendar of when you will give up, the day arrives, and you cannot fathom life without a drink.

Your family and close friends notice your behavior is erratic and your life is unmanageable.

Individuals who regularly are dependent on alcohol have consciously chosen to pattern themselves in disengaging full responsibility in all areas of their lives.

Often, we will see dependents significantly increase the amount of alcohol they purchase and drink, they will drink for extended periods of time and behaviors are unpredictable.

According to Alcoholics Anonymous, you might be classified as an alcoholic if you can honestly answer YES to at least four or five of the following questions https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/is-aa-for-you-twelve-questions-only-you-can-answer.

Alcoholism:  the disease that makes you too selfish to see the havoc you created and care about the people you shattered. quotesgram.com

Alcohol abuse is commonly referred to as consuming way too much, too frequently.  You are off to the races, but you can stop after ten, even if you do not pass out.  You probably bask in the euphoria of drinking 4-5, nightly, most days of the week.

Alcohol is probably the easiest substance to abuse because the potential is there.  It’s legal, and it’s available. – Lance Penny, QuoteHD.com

Alcohol not only destroys us, but it also hurts people we lovingly care about, in the grueling process.  Sometimes an intervention is necessary when an alcoholic has hit rock bottom.  Our team at Pacific Bay Recovery standby to assist you and your family.

Trained, compassionate, and successful healthcare experts want to guide you on your path to recovery.  You are welcome to visit our website for additional information and to ask questions https://www.pacificbayrecovery.com/.

We encourage you to seek treatment with the help of caring specialists.  Our facility is different than any other rehab center because you are not just a number with us.  Each person that checks in to our treatment center is designed a special protocol, tailored to your individual recovery needs!

Remember, one day at a time, and do not quit five minutes before your miracle.  We want you to live a life of optimal wellness but that means you will face difficult challenges and you must learn to never give up!

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