You may find it hard to believe that being an alcoholic and having an alcohol abuse problem aren’t the same condition. Somebody with an alcohol abuse problems is often referred to as a “functioning alcoholic”, and they tend to drink excessively as well as suffering from certain health symptoms normally related to alcoholism.
Alcohol abusers tend to blend into a crowd and often go unnoticed in their habits as they are clever in how they handle their alcohol. They are very good at setting limits on their alcohol intake although their intake is typically much higher than that of the average social drinker.
On the other hand, alcoholics cannot put a limit on their alcohol consumption due to their addiction to alcohol manifesting itself both mentally and physically. The cycle escalates as the physical and mental addiction needs the alcohol and the alcohol further affects the physical and mental state. Alcoholics often need to drink throughout the day and do so as they can no longer control their need to drink.
While both cases call for help, the methods of assistance differ for each. Alcohol abusers will need more psychological and emotional care. An alcoholic needs the same support in these areas with the addition of support for the physical withdrawal they will more than likely experience when quitting drinking.
Recent studies carried out in universities seem to suggest that the increase in domestic violence acts could be related to alcoholism, although others have stated that the relation with alcohol may be misleading to the facts.
What we really can’t establish is whether these domestic violence incidents the result of alcoholism or is it domestic violence that causes the abuse of alcohol. Whatever the case may be the underlying fact is that alcohol is present and domestic violence is being experienced in too many family homes and daily. Another sad fact is that all of the family members can be the alcoholics as well as those who are on the receiving end of the domestic violence.
Alcoholism can create blindness in that it masks the truth of the situation and the problems alcohol creates. The first step to overcoming these problems is to admit they are there. Sit down and set goals and rules for a better future but limit the focus on the alcohol itself in the beginning as it can lead to a violent end.
If any of these situations are familiar to you, be it in your own life or in someone else’s that you know, the time has come to take action. There are many support groups and organizations available to give you the assistance you or they might need to overcome the alcohol related issues. You can find more information on the truth behind alcohol at the site StopDrinking. With courage and support you can make the first step to an alcohol free future.