Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse Summary For most adults, moderate alcohol use is probably not harmful. However, about 18 million adult Americans have an alcohol use disorder. This means that their drinking causes distress and harm. It includes alcoholism and alcohol abuse. Alcoholism, or alcohol dependence, is a disease that causes Craving – a strong need to drink Loss of control – not being able to stop drinking once you’ve started Physical dependence – withdrawal symptoms Tolerance – the need to drink more alcohol to feel the same effect With alcohol abuse, you are not physically dependent, but you still have a serious problem. The drinking may cause problems at home, work, or school. It may cause you to put yourself in dangerous situations, or lead to legal or social problems. Another common problem is binge drinking. It is drinking about five or more drinks in two hours for men. For women, it is about four or more drinks in two hours. Too much alcohol is dangerous. Heavy drinking can increase the risk of certain cancers. It can cause damage to the liver, brain, and other organs. Drinking during pregnancy can harm your baby. Alcohol also increases the risk of death from car crashes, injuries, homicide, and suicide. If you want to stop drinking, there is help. Start by talking to your health care provider. Treatment may include medicines, counseling, and support groups. NIH: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Statistics and Research Adults Having Five or More Alcoholic Beverages in 1 Day Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Alcohol Alert National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Alcohol Facts and Statistics National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism CDC Vital Signs: Binge Drinking Centers for Disease Control and Prevention FastStats: Alcohol Use National Center for Health Statistics Increases in Problem Drinking National Institutes of Health Specifics Alcohol Abuse: Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome American Academy of Family Physicians CDC Vital Signs: Alcohol Poisoning Deaths Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Overview of Alcohol Consumption National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Living With Alcohol Abuse: Taking Medicines Safely after Alcohol or Drug Abuse Recovery American Academy of Family Physicians Children of Alcoholics American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Mental illness Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Support for Quitting: Choose Your Approach National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Genetics Alcohol Alert: Genetics of Alcoholism National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Family History of Alcoholism: Are You at Risk? National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Treatments and Therapies Alcohol and Drug Treatment: How It Works, and How It Can Help You Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Naltrexone for Alcoholism American Academy of Family Physicians Road to Sobriety Is Difficult, but Possible American Osteopathic Association Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Understanding Alcohol Use Disorders and Their Treatment American Psychological Association What Is Substance Abuse Treatment? 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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Rethinking Drinking: Questions and Answers National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Alcohol Use Disorders Alcohol Use Research Findings As Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Increases, So Does Impairment Dr. George Koob: “Alcohol Use Disorders Are a Major Problem…” Importance of Drinking Patterns Older Adults and Drinking Q&A with Dr. Koob about Treatment for Alcohol Problems Real-Life Stories about Addiction Struggles Rethinking Drinking Science of Addiction Tips You Can Try to Reduce Alcohol Consumption Treating Alcohol Problems Women and Alcohol Women Alcohol: A Women’s Health Issue National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism CDC Vital Signs: Binge Drinking a Serious, Under-Recognized Problem Among Women and Girls Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Excessive Alcohol Use and Risks to Women’s Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Encyclopedia Beriberi Central pontine myelinolysis Delirium tremens Diet and substance abuse recovery How to stop drinking Myths about drinking alcohol Pellagra Serum ketones test Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome Diagnosis and Tests CDC Vital Signs: Alcohol Screening and Counseling Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Screening Tests National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Signs of Alcohol Abuse and Addiction National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Alcoholism National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Binge Drinking National Institutes of Health Teenagers Coping with an Alcoholic Parent Nemours Foundation Men Excessive Alcohol Use and Risks to Men’s Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Men’s Health: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Health Check Tools Interactive Worksheets and More National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Images Motivation for Change Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Find an Expert National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Reference Desk NIAAA Spectrum National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Journal Articles Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse Latest News Alcohol Sales Dropped After Maryland Raised Liquor Tax HealthDay Hepatitis C Patients More Likely to Drink, Study Finds HealthDay Why Heavy Drinking Seems to Boost Desire to Smoke More HealthDay Tough Economy, Alcohol Fuels Suicide Risk in Men HealthDay Jello Shots While Underage, Bigger Booze Problems Later? 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