Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

I suppose it's a bit worrying to get to the stage where everyday, at about lunchtime, you feel the need for a drink. There seems to be an association between eating and drinking in my head that's going a little bit beyond fun, and a step towards crave. And as always, when presented with a problem, I turn to the (other) solution to all my problems: Google.

There's actually a difference between "alcohol abuse" and "alcoholism". From Alcohol & Drug Abuse:

Alcohol & Drug Abuse

Some people who drink alcohol and/or use drugs become substance abusers. Alcohol and drug abusers, or substance abusers...

... use alcohol or drugs to help them change the way they feel about themselves and/or some aspect(s) of their lives.

... experience some problems associated with their alcohol or drug use but use those experiences to set appropriate limits on how much and how often they drink or use.

... seldom, if ever, repeat the alcohol- and drug-related behaviors that have caused them problems in the past.

... know what their limits are and drink or use within those limits - unless they have a good reason not to.

... get complaints about their drinking or using and accept those complaints as expressions of concern for their well-being.

Alcoholism & Drug Addiction

A few people who drink alcohol and/or use drugs become alcoholics and/or addicts. Alcoholics and drug addicts...

...experience negative consequences associated with drinking or using but continue to drink or use despite those consequences.

...set limits on how much or how often they will drink or use but unexpectedly exceed those limits.

...promise themselves and/ or other people that they will drink or use in moderation but break those promises.

...feel guilty or remorseful about their drinking or using but still fail to permanently alter the way they drink or use.

...get complaints about their drinking or using and resent, discount, and/or disregard those comments and complaints.

From HelpGuide.org:

People with an alcohol abuse problem:

• Use alcohol to help them change the way they feel about themselves and/or some aspect(s) of their lives.
• Experience some problems associated with their alcohol use but use those experiences to set appropriate limits on how much and how often they drink.
• Seldom, if ever, repeat the alcohol-related behaviors that have caused them problems in the past.
• Get complaints about their alcohol use and accept those complaints as expressions of concern for their well-being.

People who are addicted to alcohol:

• Experience negative consequences associated with drinking but continue to drink despite those consequences.
• Set limits on how much or how often they will drink but unexpectedly exceed those limits.
• Promise themselves and/or other people that they will drink in moderation but break those promises.
• Feel guilty or remorseful about their drinking but still fail to permanently alter the way they drink.
• Get complaints about their drinking and resent, discount, and/or disregard those comments and complaints.

And now we know.