While many people use alcohol abuse and addiction interchangeably, they have different connotations. Both have adverse effects on a person’s life. However, differentiating between the two terms can assist you in understanding and fixing the circumstances.
People who abuse alcohol have some control over their lives, while those with a substance use disorder experience a disease affecting many aspects of their lives. Those experiencing addiction appear to have an abuse problem solely; however, in reality, their life is coming apart. Conversely, individuals with abuse issues look like they have an addiction when they are in control of their usage.
Warning Signs of Alcohol Abuse and Addiction
Several symptoms and signs may indicate an alcohol dependency. Alcohol abuse can indicate that alcoholism could follow. Symptoms of addiction provide severe variations when compared to abuse. These symptoms include:
- Irritability and mood swings
- Short-term memory loss or blackouts
- Excuses for drinking (stress-coping mechanism)
- Distancing from loved ones or isolation
- Prioritizing having a drink over personal responsibilities
- Hungover feeling despite not drinking
The Differences Between Alcohol Abuse and Addiction
Alcohol Abuse
When people consume too much alcohol, they place themselves at risk for alcohol abuse. This condition is common among post-secondary students and young adults who binge drink at bars and parties. Alcohol impairs your mood and inhibitions, distorts thoughts, and hampers judgment.
People with impaired motor skills and lower inhibitions increase the likelihood of placing themselves and others into dangerous situations, which can include driving under the influence. Alcohol abuse can make you an obvious target to authorities, resulting in significant legal implications.
The main difference between alcohol abuse and addiction is that abuse doesn’t pose a significant disruption to a person’s life. It doesn’t mean abusing substances is acceptable, as it can generate considerable damage to the person’s spirit, mind, and body.
With alcohol abuse, there is an increased risk of overdose, organ damage, infectious disease, and additional bodily harm, even with casual usage. The individual may turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism instead of incorporating healthier alternatives. It can generate a worsened state.
Fortunately, people can learn from the negative consequences and alter their behaviour. Clearly describing their path of abuse can cause the person to change their destructive ways. Change can be an honest conversation about the effects of their abuse or seeking help in a facility.
All this person requires is an understanding of the consequences of continued alcohol abuse in all facets, including the legal, social, spiritual, and mental ramifications.
Alcohol Addiction
Alcoholism progresses in those who regularly abuse or consume alcohol to the point of physical dependence. The body begins to require alcohol to function, and the longer it is abused, and the individual doesn’t receive treatment, the more tolerance is created. The progression results in an increased need for additional alcohol to generate the same effects.
The addiction can become so overwhelming that people cannot function in its absence. Even going a short time without a drink causes extreme and deadly withdrawal symptoms. So, people begin drinking first thing in their day to avoid the negative symptoms.
Addiction involves a disease affecting most, if not all, aspects of a person’s life. People experiencing addictions can make tragic mistakes, which make their situation worse. Aside from the damage and risk linked to substance abuse, addicted individuals endanger their livelihood and families.
People with addictions have frequent work or school absenteeism, experience legal issues, have health problems, and endanger their families financially or physically. Yet, despite the consequences, individuals cannot change to help their situation. Therefore, people with addictions experience family separation, homelessness, and joblessness, and can die from alcohol abuse.
Individuals can choose to drink to cope with stress, drink alone to cover a problem, or sneak alcoholic beverages throughout the day. It becomes challenging to remain sober, and getting clean can be dangerous.
When coping with addiction, people battle with a chemical dependency, preventing them from following up with change by themselves. Simple willpower will not provide a cure. Cravings cause them to neglect daily living, and they behave irresponsibly to the extent that their life is in complete chaos. Yet, even at this point, they cannot understand how alcohol addiction has become a destructive force.
The addicted person downplays the extent of abuse and blames it on external factors (denial). Sometimes, they can recognize the addiction as the root of their hardships, but cannot refrain from using alcohol because of a chemical dependency.
Therefore, the only path to change is using focused medical efforts. Chemical dependency facilities, like HOPE Be The Cure, assist individuals to start a new life free from addiction. Treatment includes medically supervised detoxification, where withdrawal symptoms are easily managed to prevent relapse.
Recovery plans generated by addiction counsellors can provide the best road to sobriety. Addiction education, group or support meeting attendance, and learning techniques and tools for living healthy, happy lives are all beneficial.
While addiction is difficult to overcome, healing is possible through knowledge, support, and experience. Even when people are forced into receiving treatment (court-mandated or by loved ones), they can discover that an addiction exists and eventually embrace recovery. Initiating the first step is essential in the road to recovery.
Withdrawal Signs
Long-term drinking affects one’s physical and mental health. If you abruptly stop drinking, it can lead to withdrawal. Symptoms happen due to the body functioning without the substance, and vary from moderate to severe. Withdrawal symptoms include:
- Shaky hands
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Sweating
Where can I get help?
Knowing the differences between alcohol abuse and addiction can assist you in taking your next steps to recovery. Keep in mind that addiction is a lengthy, complicated process that commences with abuse. Yet, it is never too late to change your actions by attending a treatment program.
If you need help for yourself or a loved one, contact our addiction treatment centre at 844-635-4673, email us at info@hopebethecure.com, or complete our online form. At HOPE Be The Cure, our warm, caring counsellors can provide you with the tools and materials necessary for a sustainable recovery and an improved life that’s free from abuse and addiction.