New York, NY 3/11/2010 12:40:19 AM
News / Education

How is Problem Drinking Different from Alcoholism?

Alcoholism occurs when a person develops a true addiction to alcohol. In other words, the urge to drink or the craving for alcohol becomes so strong that the person feels he or she must drink, no matter what the circumstances or consequences, and alcohol consumption is done on a daily basis.


Problem drinking, on the other hand, may not be a daily thing. In fact, the problem drinker may only drink one or two days a week. So, rather than being addicted to alcohol, as is the case with alcoholism, the problem drinker enjoys or craves the feeling obtained from drinking alcohol to excess.


Problem drinkers almost always drink enough alcohol to feel the effects. Some problem drinkers may stop before they reach the point to where they pass out from their drinking, while others may drink to the point of unconsciousness. Most problem drinkers, however, whether or not they pass out, often suffer memory loss, and are unable to remember the drinking episode or their behavior during that time.


While problem drinking is not alcoholism, it can lead to this condition. For this reason, many problem drinkers run the risk of developing alcoholism problems. Alcoholism treatment centers can help a person determine if his or her problem drinking is reaching the point where alcoholism is a possibility. A phone call or initial visit to a facility that provide alcoholism treatment can provide information that will help a person decide if he or she may be in danger of going from being a problem drinker to a victim of alcoholism.


Alcoholism treatment, however, does not have to wait until a person begins to suffer from distinct alcoholism. Rather, the problem drinker who wants to keep this from happening can contact any of the many alcoholism treatment centers available in different states. Treatment can then start immediately.


By calling 1-800-559-9503 or visiting http://www.alcoholtreatmentclinics.com/, problem drinkers can begin the process of controlling their drinking and avoiding alcoholism.