How does alcoholism differ from problem drinking?

Answer 1

They are the same and they are different.

From a psychiatric and diagnostic perspective these two terms are exactly the same thing. Mental health professionals do not recognize any difference, for them there is only one category and term. In simple terms they consider a person to be an alcoholic if the person continues to drink alcohol even though bad things happen and/or other people are hurt. The degree, type and frequency of injury does not matter. If a person drinks alcohol every weekend and once every 9 months they insult their boyfriend/girlfriend when intoxicated then they are classified as an alcoholic.

Answer 2

Drinking leads to problems for sure.

My friend is an alcoholic. He NEEDS to drink daily starting with 2 martinis before dinner, 2-3 glasses of wine with dinner, and sipping wine the remainder of the evening. It's like he has a "hollow leg". He doesn't look or act drunk.
But he's up every morning, never misses work, works very hard and does a good job. The whole ritual starts again every evening.

There are times when he goes out and drinks even more. That is a problem and he needs a designated driver. When he is on vacation he drinks more too. The problem is the effects it has had on him physically. He will probably not live as long. I think that is a big problem.

I guess many people see alcoholics who get sloppy drunk, cause car accidents, bar fights, money problems, etc. etc. But basically, whether you get drunk quietly and politely or if you are rowdy and loud, if you can't quit you are an alcoholic. And the damage you do to yourself is a problem right along with the damage you do to others.

Answer 3

A problem drinker is an alcoholic whose disease had not yet progressed to full blown alcoholism. Problem drinkers recognize that alcohol has created issues in his or her life but can probably stop with little difficulty if he or she wanted to. If the drinking starts again, the problem drinker has just become an alcoholic.

It's a disease with progressions. Alcohol abuse is problem drinking. Alcoholism is the disease that results. Sort of like if you have cancer...there are stages.

Hope that answers your question and good luck to you.

Answer 4

It does not differ!! Why do people become alcoholics? Because they are trying to escape stress/problems in their lives. Problem is the exact same thing...when something goes wrong, they turn to alcohol. Either way, neither are a good thing to be doing. People need to learn how to cope with situations instead of wishing they would go away. There is no easy fix.

Answer 5

One of the oldest and most time tested dependency evaluation tools for chemical dependency has its origins from the Johnson Institute of Minneapolis. Many variations exist, but the basic questions are as follows:

Has anyone ever suggested you quit or cut back on your drug/alcohol use?
Yes___ No___

Has drinking or using affected your reputation?
Yes___ No___

Have you made promises to control your drinking or using and then broken them?
Yes___ No___

Have you ever switched to different drinks or drugs or changed your using pattern in an effort to control or reduce your consumption?
Yes___ No___

Have you ever gotten into financial, legal, or marital difficulties due to using?
Yes___ No___

Have you ever lost time from work because of using or drinking?
Yes___ No___

Have you ever sneaked or hidden your use?
Yes___ No___

On occasion, do you feel uncomfortable if alcohol or your drug is not available?
Yes___ No___

Do you continue drinking or using when friends or family suggest you have had enough?
Yes___ No___

Have you ever felt guilty or ashamed about your drinking or using or what you did while under the influence?
Yes___ No___

Has your efficiency decreased as a result of your drinking or using?
Yes___ No___

When using or drinking, do you neglect to eat properly?
Yes___ No___

Do you use or drink alone?
Yes___ No___

Do you use or drink more than usual when under pressure, angry, or depressed?
Yes___ No___

Are you able to drink or use more now without feeling it, compared to when you first started using?
Yes___ No___

Have you lost interest in other activities or noticed a decrease in your ambition as a result of your drinking or using?
Yes___ No___

Have you had the shakes or tremors following heavy drinking or using or not using for a period of time?
Yes___ No___

Do you want to drink or use at a particular time each day?
Yes___ No___

Do you go on and off the wagon?
Yes___ No___

Is drinking or using jeopardizing your job?
Yes___ No___

If you answer "yes" to one or more of the above questions, it does not necessarily imply a chemical dependency problem, three or more "yes" answers suggest that you should more closely evaluate your drug and or alcohol use.



In my opinion, there is no difference other than problem drinking is a way of denying that you are an alcoholic!

Answer 6

If you drink too much, it's alcoholism. But if I drink too much, it's problem drinking.

Answer 7

what do you consider problem drinking