excessive use of alcohol and alcoholic drinks
A syndrome characterized primarily by the continued use of alcohol despite the drinker's knowledge of having a persistent physical problem or some social or occupational difficulty” ( Levinthal, 200).
Drinking in a way that is harmful to one's life. Symptoms include drinking that leads to a failure to fulfill obligations at home, in school, or at work, and continued use despite negative consequences.
A maladaptive pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress as manifested by one (or more) of the following in a 12-month period: alcohol use that interferes with ability to fulfill major role obligations; alcohol use in situations which are physically hazardous; recurrent, alcohol-related legal problems; continued alcohol use despite adverse social or interpersonal consequences.
Use of alcoholic beverages to excess, either on individual occasions ("binge drinking") or as a regular practice. For some individuals-children or pregnant women, for example-almost any amount of alcohol use may be legally considered "alcohol abuse," depending on local laws. Heavy alcohol abuse can cause physical damage and death.
is a pattern of problem drinking that results in health consequences, social problems, or both.
The continued use of alcohol despite the development of social, legal, or health problems.
Alcohol abuse, as described in the DSM-IV, is a psychiatric diagnosis describing the use of alcoholic beverages despite negative consequences. It is differentiated from alcohol dependence by the lack of symptoms such as tolerance and withdrawal. Alcohol abuse is often associated with alcoholism, and sometimes the terms are used interchangeably.
