Alcohol Abuse or Alcohol Dependent?

Do You Hide How Much You Drink From Others?

It Could Be the Sign of a Problem

By Buddy T, About.com Guide, Updated January 26, 2011

One of the signs that you may have a drinking problem is if you hide your drinking from others or lie about how much you really drink. If you have progressed to the point where you are beginning to sneak around with your drinking, you may already have a drinking problem.

Do You Hide Your Drinking?

If you are one of those drinkers who hides your drinking from those close to you or cover up or hide how

much you drink to others around you, ask yourself this question:

 

If your drinking is not a problem, why hide it?

 

Somewhere deep down inside, you know that your drinking has reached an unhealthy level. You know that your relationship with alcohol has crossed the line, or you wouldn't cover it up.



Are you an abuser or a dependent?

Q: What is the difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence?

A:Alcohol abuse is described as any "harmful use" of alcohol.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV describes alcohol abusers as those who drink despite recurrent social, interpersonal, and legal problems as a result of alcohol use.
 
Harmful use implies alcohol use that causes either physical or mental damage.
 
Those who are alcohol dependent meet all of the criteria of alcohol abuse, but they will also exhibit some or all of the following:

*Narrowing of the drinking repertoire (drinking only one brand or type of alcoholic beverage).
*Drink-seeking behavior (only going to social events that will include drinking, or only hanging out with others who drink).
*Alcohol tolerance (having to drink increasing amounts to achieve previous effects).
*Withdrawal symptoms (getting physical symptoms after going a short period without drinking).
*Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms (such as drinking to stop the shakes or to "cure" a hangover).
*Subjective awareness of the compulsion to drink or craving for alcohol (whether they admit it to others or not).
*A return to drinking after a period of abstinence (deciding to quit drinking and not being able to follow through).

Typically, those drinkers who are diagnosed as only alcohol abusers can be helped with a brief intervention, including education concerning the dangers of binge drinking and alcohol poisoning.

Those who have become alcohol dependent generally require outside help to stop drinking, which could include detoxification, medical treatment, professional rehab or counseling and/or self-help group support.

Is "THIS" how you want to be seen and remembered?

Is "THIS" how you want to remain?