Many people make the mistake of thinking that alcohol abuse and alcoholism are the same things. However, this is incorrect, and although alcohol abuse and alcoholism may have notable similarities, there are significant differences between these two drinking problems. We have the best alcohol rehabilitation centre in Delhi.
Due to the frequent misunderstanding of alcohol abuse and alcoholism, the following definition should give you a better understanding. Alcohol abuse can be articulated as follows:
It is a drinking pattern that leads to one or more of the following situations within 12 months.
Alcoholism – Alcoholism is also often referred to as alcohol addiction or alcohol dependence. In this case, alcoholism is a disease that often includes the following four components.
- Tolerance levels. The person will usually need to drink more and more simply to experience the ‘buzz’ or ‘high’ as it is known.
- Cravings. The person will tend to have a strong and recurring need to drink.
- Loss of control. The person will often experience a lack of control.
- Physical dependence. The person will experience heavy withdrawal symptoms when drinking is stopped, essentially causing the person to continue drinking.
So, does alcohol abuse lead to alcoholism?
The cause of alcoholism is not yet well established. However, alcohol abuse can play a huge contributing factor in alcoholism. Moreover, several other factors could lead to excessive drinking and eventually, lead to alcoholism. Some of these factors include:
- Genetic and biological factors. There is growing evidence for genetic and biological predispositions for this disease. This research, however, is controversial at this stage. Certain genetic factors may cause a person to be more vulnerable to alcoholism. If you have an imbalance of brain chemicals, you may be more predisposed to alcoholism.
- Social factors. Social factors as well as cultural factors may contribute to alcoholism. The glamorous way that drinking is advertised in media sends many people the message that drinking alcohol is okay.
- Emotional factors. It is believed that certain stress hormones may be associated with alcoholism. High-stress levels, emotional pain, and anxiety can lead people to excessive drinking to block out the turmoil.
- Psychological factors. Things like depression and low self-esteem may often lead a person to drink alcohol. Also, having a partner or friend who drinks regularly, but who may not be abusing alcohol, could lead to excessive drinking on your part.
For a better, more clear understanding of alcohol abuse and alcoholism, take a look at the stages of alcoholism.
Alcoholism often takes years to develop and usually begins with drinking for effect. Here are the stages of alcoholism:
- Drinking for the effect
- Getting used to alcohol
- Developing alcohol tolerance
- Getting blackouts
- Developing alcohol-related problems
- Getting withdrawal symptoms
- Losing control
At this point, drinking usually starts maintaining itself.
So, getting back to the question; “Does alcohol abuse lead to alcoholism?
In short, alcohol abuse can be considered a contributing factor and can assist in the development of alcoholism. However, alcohol abuse alone is not alone responsible for the development of alcoholism. Several other factors play a role in becoming an alcoholic. You can contact us through our website, we have the best Ananda Care Alcohol rehabilitation centre in Delhi.