14 Sep What Is The Difference Between Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism?
Being addicted to a substance such as alcohol can be very destructive to your life, both physically and mentally. The urge to drink can take over all aspects of your job and home life. Understanding what harm can come to your body if you continue down this path is important. Alcohol has a way of taking over a person with no warning and can hurt them in all kinds of ways.
Many individuals occasionally start drinking at social events and think it won’t become an issue. For many people, this is the case, but occasional drinking can become serious drinking problems for others. If you or someone you know has a drinking problem, you can offer help and guidance in seeking the proper treatment. The first step to getting help is determining whether or not the individual suffers from alcohol abuse or alcoholism.
Table of Contents:
What is alcohol abuse?
When reading up on alcohol abuse, you may see the terms “alcohol abuse” and “alcoholism” being described with the same definition. There are certain ways to differentiate between these two words.
Just because a person suffers from occasional alcohol abuse does not mean they have alcoholism. Alcohol abuse can be defined as the daily consumption of more than four drinks per day for men or more than three drinks per day for women. You can also be a social drinker who consumes large amounts of alcohol on the weekends or decides to go on a drinking binge once a week and consume large amounts of alcohol.
If you think about your life and realize that drinking has hurt your life, you may be a victim of alcohol abuse.
Having an occasional drink with friends to celebrate or just have fun and waking up with a hangover once a few times a year is not considered alcohol abuse.
Alcohol abuse is when you find yourself with multiple hangovers a week, drinking daily for no reason at all, and this pattern of drinking creates problems in your life.
What is alcoholism?
Alcoholism is much more serious than alcohol abuse, even though both require treatment and therapy. Alcoholism is a chronic illness and can be diagnosed when an individual begins to develop a dependence on alcohol to function every day. The body will also build up a tolerance, and you will need to drink more to feel the desired effects; if you don’t give in to the temptation to drink, your body will go through withdrawal.
Withdrawal symptoms show no mercy on the body:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Uncontrollable shaking
- Seizures and more
These symptoms need to be monitored by a healthcare professional so they can administer medication and monitor your vital signs.
Long-term effects
Both alcohol abuse and alcoholism can have harsh long-term effects on your body. Treatment is necessary to prevent further damage and to help you recover and get your life back on the right path. Alcoholism is a lifelong battle, and understanding the consequences may help many overcome and stop their addiction.
Over time, if your body is abused by alcohol, it can cause several different types of cancers, heart disease, and liver cirrhosis. These health risks can be treated and possibly prevented if you realize you have a problem and get the proper physical and mental treatment you need as early as possible.
Elite Home Detox can offer patients a private rehab service in the comfort of their homes. Let us help you begin the long road to recovery in the most beneficial environment available. Call us to set up your first appointment today.
In-Home Alcohol Addiction Recovery with Elite Home Detox
Elite Home Detox brings the services of a traditional rehabilitation clinic to the comfort of a patient’s home. Since every patient’s circumstances and needs are different, our comprehensive treatment plan is tailored to the individual.
In-home alcohol addiction recovery is a modern solution for the busy, fast-paced lifestyles of today.
Personalized attention
Unlike a traditional addiction rehabilitation clinic, where patients meet in groups, in-home rehab means that our patients get dedicated, one-on-one attention.
Elite Home Detox provides a 24/7 onsite medical professional to monitor the patient, make changes to the treatment plan as necessary, and answer any questions that the patient, friends, or family may have. We are with our patients every step of the way to ensure a safe and healthy recovery with long-lasting results.
Convenient and private
Both inpatient and outpatient clinics require patients to travel to their destination. This is not only costly, but it also requires a significant amount of the patient’s time. In-home addiction rehabilitation works with the patient’s schedule, minimizing disruptions while maximizing results.
Some people may find group therapy beneficial. However, since addiction recovery is an intense and involved process, many patients prefer discretion while rehabilitating. That’s why Elite Home Detox brings our services directly to our patients for unmatched convenience and privacy.
Comprehensive, quality care
From genetics to social environment, many factors can contribute to a person developing an addiction to alcohol. These same factors need to be addressed during alcohol addiction rehab for a successful and lasting recovery. From detox to counseling that helps patients develop healthy coping mechanisms, Elite Home Detox offers the same services and quality of care as traditional rehab clinics.
Our team is thoroughly trained in addiction recovery, and every program is overseen by our medical director to ensure quality care.