Alcohol Abuse vs. Alcohol Use Disorder: Is it Time to Get Help?

Alcohol use is part of the United States’ culture. Most American adults drink alcoholic beverages regularly. Whether it is a glass of wine with dinner, cocktails at happy hour, or beer at a baseball game, alcohol is available during many occasions and events. But many people have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. According to the National Institute of Health, about 26% of adults in the United States reported at least one episode of binge drinking in the past month, and around 6% reported heavy drinking in the previous month.[1] Some forms of alcohol abuse, such as binge drinking, are relatively common in our culture. Despite being common, all forms of alcohol abuse can have severe consequences. People who engage in alcohol abuse are much more likely to require emergency medical care for an accident that occurred while they were under the influence and develop chronic health conditions related to alcohol abuse later in life.  People who engage in problem drinking are also at risk of developing an addiction. It can be hard to determine whether someone’s alcohol use has crossed the line from alcohol abuse to alcoholism. Most people who develop alcoholism require addiction treatment to overcome the condition. Getting treatment as early in the addiction as possible is essential.

Alcohol Abuse vs. Alcohol Use Disorder: What is the Difference?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) was updated in 2013 to include Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD). Alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence can be classified as alcohol use disorders.

Defining Alcohol Abuse

According to the National Institute of Health, adults can safely drink in moderation. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) define moderate or casual drinking as two alcoholic drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. Medical and addiction professionals break alcohol abuse into two categories: binge drinking and heavy drinking. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers guidance about binge drinking and heavy drinking.

Binge Drinking

Binge drinking is drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short time. For men, a binge-drinking episode is defined as having five or more alcoholic drinks in about 2 hours. For women, it is four or more drinks in two hours. This is approximately the amount of alcohol required to raise a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) to 0.08 or higher.

Heavy Drinking

Heavy drinking is defined as drinking more than recommended during a week. For a man, having more than 14 alcoholic drinks weekly is considered heavy drinking. For women, having more than seven drinks a week meets the criteria for heavy drinking.

Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol dependence is sometimes called alcoholism. Alcoholism is a severe form of dependence that can occur when a person drinks heavily for a prolonged period. After a period of alcohol abuse, the body adjusts to the presence of alcohol. The person’s brain and body can change so significantly that they may experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking or reduce the amount they drink. Alcohol dependence is a serious condition that requires comprehensive treatment that addresses the physical, emotional, and behavioral aspects of addiction.

What is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?

Alcoholism is often referred to as a disease, but there is no medical diagnosis for alcoholism. The term is popularized due to Alcoholics Anonymous and treatment programs that use 12-step ideas. However, the DSM-V outlines 11 criteria for the diagnosis of alcohol use disorder.[2] These criteria include: