Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are two different problems. Alcoholism is the term used when alcohol consumption causes serious problems in a person's life, but the person continues his/her drinking habit. Tolerance and physical dependency also coexist which means that to quit drinking abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms at the same time as a progressively greater need to feel drunk.

The term "alcohol abuse" is used when drinking causes problems of diverse types and in different situations (work, home, personal relationships, etc.) but without the physical dependency of alcohol.

The causes of alcohol problems are not fully known but several factors come into play in the person genetically susceptible: the psychosocial environment, family background, impulsive personality or low self-esteem.

There is a greater risk to suffer alcoholism in the following cases:

Men who have more than 15 alcoholic beverages* a week
Women who have more than 12 alcoholic beverages a week
Drinking more than 5 alcoholic beverages in a row at least once a week

*An alcoholic beverage or standard unit of beverage is defined by the NIAAA as:

12 ounces (355 milliliters) of regular beer (about 5 percent alcohol)
8 to 9 ounces (237 to 266 milliliters) of malt liquor (about 7 percent alcohol)
5 ounces (148 milliliters) of unfortified wine (about 12 percent alcohol)
1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) of 80-proof hard liquor (about 40 percent alcohol)

A person is more predisposed to alcohol abuse or likely to become alcohol dependent if he/she:

is under social pressure to consume alcoholic beverages.
presents or has a background of depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety or schizophrenia disorders.
has easy access to alcoholic beverages.
has problems with interpersonal relationships.
has a stressful lifestyle.

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