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Clinical Definitions of Alcoholism

Alcohol use is widely accepted in American culture. Drinking to wind down after a long day or to loosen up at a party is often encouraged. However, the boundary between use and abuse is so poorly defined that it is difficult to determine if alcohol consumption has become a problem. There are many definitions for the misuse of alcohol.

  1. Alcoholism

    • Alcoholism is the inability to stop using alcohol despite social and personal consequences. Alcoholics physically crave alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms begin shortly after the high wears off.

    Heavy Drinking

    • A heavy drinker does not intend to get drunk. In this case, drinking is more of a ritual or habit. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines a heavy drinker as a man who drinks more than two alcoholic beverages a day, or a woman who has more than one a day. Heavy drinking can damage the body as much as alcoholism.

    Binge Drinking

    • A binge drinker does not drink on a regular basis, but drinks to become intoxicated. The binge drinker will continue to drink well after he is drunk. Alcohol poisoning is common among binge drinkers.　

    Alcohol Abuse

    • Alcohol abuse is the misuse of alcohol without the physical symptoms of alcoholism. For example, an underage person who drinks is misusing alcohol; this person is breaking the law, but will not experience alcohol withdrawal.

    Adverse Effects of Alcoholism

    • Every type of alcoholism presents problems. Health problems include hangover, cirrhosis of the liver and pancreatic diseases. Social consequences include embarrassment, loss of employment and legal problems. Death is often a consequence of alcoholism. Driving drunk makes death and serious injury a problem for the entire community.

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