Canadian Addiction Rehab Where There Is Life There Is Hope! | Page 9

Getting Your Facts Straight On
Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol
Dependence and Alcoholism
• Alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence and alcoholism share many symptoms and signs which
makes it hard to identify between the three, yet all of them are separate conditions. However,
alcohol abuse can lead to alcoholism due to the increase in alcohol tolerance levels, which is
why AUD is considered a severe and distorted form of alcohol abuse. Alcohol dependency is a
severe form of alcoholism, which is why not only does it exhibit the characteristics of alcohol
abuse, but it also showcases other symptoms.
• Alcohol abuse is a relatively milder drinking problem that can be curbed by the patient
himself/herself even without professional help. Alcoholism has different forms, the treatment of
which can only be determined after identifying the severity of the issue. Alcohol dependency, on
the other hand, is a serious issue that cannot be treated without professional help or
medication, and in some cases even requires being admitted to rehab.
• The main similarities between the three alcohol-related issues are their symptoms and in some
case their causes. There are three major causes of alcohol abuse, alcoholism and alcoholism –
family history and genetics, a stressful lifestyle that can result in a person using alcohol as a
coping mechanism, and lastly to feel enjoyment and happiness.