What is Alcohol Abuse?

Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused drugs in the world. Moderate drinking of alcohol is not harmful for most adults. But excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to many problems. Alcohol slows down the brain’s function and helps to relax. Normally moderate drinking is defined as two alcoholic drinks per day for men and one alcoholic drink per day for women. People who are over the age of 65 should take only one drink per day as more than that can develop many dangerous health problems.

In simple words, alcohol abuse is excessive use of alcohol and alcoholic drinks. Alcohol abuse is a condition or a pattern of drinking. Alcohol abuse leads to negative consequences such as failure to carry responsibilities at work, school or home. Continued consumption of alcohol despite of major relationship problems, use of alcohol while driving, using machinery or any physically dangerous situations. Recurring legal problems that are alcohol-related also fall under alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse is often related to sexual violence as well.

Generally, when these negative consequences of drinking alcohol continue to occur for 12 months or so it comes under alcohol abuse category. Therefore, a person is said to abuse alcohol when he or she continues to consume alcohol despite having the alcohol related problems.

Many people begin to abuse alcohol when there are problems in life or trying to escape any situation or relieving stress. People who are lonely, low in self-esteemed and suffering from relationship problems are related to alcohol abuse.

Although, there is a difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence but both are closely related. It can be said that alcohol abuse is a necessary precursor to alcohol dependence.

Alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs. Drinking alcohol or smoking or taking any other drugs is harmful for health. Drug abuse doesn’t help the situation rather makes it worse.