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Table of Contents

What is Alcoholism?

What Are the Signs of Alcoholism?

Alcohol Addiction and Denial

How Do I Talk to a Loved One About Their Drinking?

Women and Alcoholism

How Does Alcohol Affect Physical and Mental Health?

The Dangers of Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol Tolerance vs. Dependence: What's the Difference?

How Much Alcohol is Too Much?

What is Binge Drinking?

What Causes Alcoholism?

What Factors Increase Your Risk of Alcoholism?

Is Alcoholism Genetic?

The Connection Between Alcoholism and Trauma

Getting Help for Alcoholism in New Jersey

Preparing for Alcohol Treatment: Alcohol Detox

Alcohol Rehab at North Jersey Recovery Center

How can you tell if you have a drinking problem? How do you talk to a loved one about their drinking? What are the treatment options for alcoholism? You will find answers to these questions and many more on this page about heavy drinking and alcoholism

What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism, also known as alcohol addiction or alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic medical condition defined by a compromised ability to limit or stop drinking alcohol - even in the face of negative physical, social or legal consequences.

Drinking alcohol is legal in the U.S. and most parts of the world. This means that alcohol is both readily available and socially acceptable for most people. It also means that alcoholism is the most common substance use disorder in the world.

Light to moderate drinking does not usually lead to physical or mental health problems for most people. However, people who are predisposed to addiction often find that their drinking eventually becomes difficult to control.

People who are addicted to alcohol feel compelled to drink, even in the face of serious consequences to their health, relationships, careers, or finances. For a person with alcoholism, drinking becomes an almost irresistible compulsion. This is the key difference between being addicted to alcohol and simply "enjoying drinking".

Treating alcoholism early is key to successful recovery since it can cause great psychological and physical harm.

Alcoholism is:

Characterized by a compulsion to consume alcohol despite negative consequences.

A chronic medical condition that can be managed with the right help.

The most common substance use disorder in the world.

Not the fault of the person suffering from it.

What Are the Signs of Alcoholism?

There are a few ways to tell if you or a loved one may have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). First, remember that alcoholism is about your relationship with alcohol. Someone can drink more than they should, but not necessarily be addicted to alcohol. It isn't the amount of alcohol consumed that decides whether or not a person is alcoholic. Rather it is their behavior. Especially when faced with consequences due to drinking too much.

A person who successfully reduces or stops drinking altogether after they notice it is impacting their work, for example, likely does not have alcoholism. Someone who is addicted to alcohol, on the other hand, will often continue to drink even in the face of serious negative effects on their health or well-being. They may attempt to cut back or quit but find it almost impossible to avoid picking up alcohol again.

If drinking takes precedence over anything else in your life or puts your health at risk and you are struggling to cut back or quit, you have a problem.