Alcohol Substance Abuse: Problem Drinking vs. Social Drinking
Although alcohol substance abuse is a serious issue, most people are capable of having an occasional drink without letting it get out of hand. This is usually called "social drinking" or "casual drinking," which contrasts with "problem drinking." There are no technical definitions for these terms, however. Some problem drinkers are able to trick themselves into thinking they are only social drinkers, and some social drinkers are in danger of becoming problem drinkers if they are not careful.
There are a variety of definitions of what constitutes problem drinking, but a fair average would be more than seven drinks of alcohol a week for a woman and more than 14 for a man. However, there are other factors to consider when it comes to alcohol substance abuse. For example, some problem drinkers are wont to binge, which can involve going days or even weeks between drinking bouts. Meanwhile, some people can drink around 10 to 15 drinks a week without it becoming a problem. The line is blurry.
However, an alcohol substance abuse problem should be considered serious if it involves destructive behavior, blackouts, belligerence, or decreased functionality in other areas of life. These problems do not have to be severe, though. If one cannot stop drinking despite negative effects, it is problem drinking. If you or someone you know is in this situation, it is time to seek alcoholism treatment.
Social drinking involves fewer than one to two drinks on average per day, although most non-alcoholic drinkers consume even less. A typical social drinker drinks a moderate amount, usually only on the weekends, and is able to stop before drunkenness sets in. Again, occasional drinking to the point of drunkenness does constitute problem drinking, even if the habit is irregular.
If your drinking is occasional and you do not feel you have to do it, then it is probably not alcohol substance abuse, and you probably do not need treatment. However, be careful to evaluate your situation honestly. Can you really quit drinking if you want to? Do you often worry that you drink too much? Does your drinking lead to bad behavior? Answering these questions honestly can tell a different story.
Problem drinking
There are a variety of definitions of what constitutes problem drinking, but a fair average would be more than seven drinks of alcohol a week for a woman and more than 14 for a man. However, there are other factors to consider when it comes to alcohol substance abuse. For example, some problem drinkers are wont to binge, which can involve going days or even weeks between drinking bouts. Meanwhile, some people can drink around 10 to 15 drinks a week without it becoming a problem. The line is blurry.
However, an alcohol substance abuse problem should be considered serious if it involves destructive behavior, blackouts, belligerence, or decreased functionality in other areas of life. These problems do not have to be severe, though. If one cannot stop drinking despite negative effects, it is problem drinking. If you or someone you know is in this situation, it is time to seek alcoholism treatment.
Social drinking
Social drinking involves fewer than one to two drinks on average per day, although most non-alcoholic drinkers consume even less. A typical social drinker drinks a moderate amount, usually only on the weekends, and is able to stop before drunkenness sets in. Again, occasional drinking to the point of drunkenness does constitute problem drinking, even if the habit is irregular.
If your drinking is occasional and you do not feel you have to do it, then it is probably not alcohol substance abuse, and you probably do not need treatment. However, be careful to evaluate your situation honestly. Can you really quit drinking if you want to? Do you often worry that you drink too much? Does your drinking lead to bad behavior? Answering these questions honestly can tell a different story.
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