by Tony Catalano

Created on: January 08, 2010

It can be very difficult to make the distinction between a heavy drinker or alcohol abuse, and an alcoholic, but with some careful observation and thought the differences will start to become a little more obvious. 

Alcohol abuse can describe very similar conditions, however there is one thing that makes the difference clear. Alcoholism is full on addiction, and it is no easy thing to stop. Just some key things to look out for:

- Neglect. The person will neglect social, work, school, or family responsibilities and activities due to their alcohol use.

- Continued use. Even when there is an acknowledgement of the problems that alcohol is causing in the person's life, they continue drinking. They may miss an appointment, get a DUI, have run-ins with the law of any nature, but the next opportunity they can be drinking. This is a very clear sign.

- Lack of control. Consistent but always failing attemps to quit drinking alcohol.

- Withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are always an obvious sign of physical addiction. Nausea, anxiety and sweating are just a few things that may occur as a result of not drinking for a while.

- Tolerance. The consumption of alcohol has gotten to the point where a tolerance is built, and one keeps drinking more and more to get drunk. Withdrawal and tolerance are the tell-tale signs of a physical or mental addiction.

- A lot of time spent doing alcohol related activities. This includes obtaining alcohol, drinking alcohol, and recovering from drinking alcohol.

On a personal level there is some more specific things that only you can answer that may help in a self-diagnosis. Just a few questions you can ask yourself include:

- Do you feel anxious after not drinking for a while?

- Do you frequently have a 'craving' for alcohol when you aren't drinking?

- Do you blackout frequently?

- Does drinking ever make you feel guilty?

- Do you find it difficult to come home at the end of the day and not have a drink?

These are just a few things. If there are serious suspicions on your part then it is your responsibility to do something about them. If you fear that you or someone you know is an alcoholic, try calling the helpline or taking the quiz in relation to you or the person who you think may be showing signs of alcoholism at http://www.recoveryconnection.org/

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