Cocaine is a highly-addictive, stimulant, street drug; when a cocaine user discontinues use, cocaine withdrawal symptoms occur. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms are not always visible, but for heavy cocaine users, cocaine withdrawal symptom severity exceeds or rivals that of other withdrawal syndromes.

Cocaine facts show the drug produces a "high" or euphoric feeling by acting on chemicals in the brain. When the drug is discontinued, cocaine withdrawal symptoms immediately present themselves. These acute cocaine withdrawal symptoms are known as a "crash." Cocaine withdrawal symptoms during a crash also include a strong craving for more cocaine. More cocaine withdrawal symptoms are present in long-term cocaine users.

Cocaine Withdrawal: Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms

Cocaine withdrawal happens after a cocaine binge and cocaine withdrawal symptoms are more problematic when a chronic cocaine user stops using cocaine. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms seen during a crash include:¹

• Cocaine craving
• Fatigue, possibly appearing unresponsive
• Lack of pleasure
• Anxiety, irritability
• Sleepiness
• Movement slowness
• Agitation or extreme suspicion

For long-term cocaine users, withdrawal symptoms of cocaine, often seen after the acute cocaine withdrawal symptoms, include:

• Cocaine craving
• Agitation and restless behavior
• Depressed mood
• Fatigue, malaise
• Increased appetite
• Vivid and unpleasant dreams
• Slowing of activity

Cocaine withdrawal can be extremely intense and protracted; cocaine withdrawal symptoms of cravings and depression can last for months. These cocaine withdrawal symptoms can lead to relapse or thoughts of suicide. A relapse is particularly dangerous as it increases the risk of cocaine overdose.

Cocaine withdrawal is complicated when the user has been taking additional drugs. Other drug addictions should always be considered during cocaine withdrawal treatment.

Cocaine Withdrawal: Managing Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms

Cocaine withdrawal is serious and managing cocaine withdrawal symptoms should always be done under the supervision of a doctor. Withdrawal symptoms of cocaine themselves may not require specific medication, but half of all cocaine addicts have some form of psychiatric disorder requiring treatment. All cocaine users should be screened for mental illness during cocaine withdrawal. Treating any present mental illness during cocaine withdrawal greatly improves the chances of staying off cocaine.

There are no FDA approved medications for the treatment of cocaine withdrawal. However, there is an investigation into drugs to treat cocaine cravings found during cocaine withdrawal. There is also research into a cocaine "vaccine" which would remove the euphoric feeling produced by cocaine; without the pleasant effects of cocaine, it is thought no one would become addicted to it.

Drugs that are being studied for their use in managing cocaine withdrawal symptoms include:²

• Alcohol antagonist drugs like disulfiram
• Anti-seizure medications like tiagabine
• Muscle relaxants like baclofen
• Wakefulness-promoting agents like modafinil
• Antipsychotics like quetiapine

Any medication used during cocaine withdrawal should be carefully evaluated to ensure that one addiction is not swapped out for another.

The most effective way to manage cocaine withdrawal symptoms is through support groups, like Narcotics Anonymous, or therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy.

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Cocaine abuse (also called cocaine addiction) is a serious situation where the cocaine abuser cannot stop using cocaine without help. In cases of cocaine abuse, users continue to abuse cocaine in spite of harm to themselves and others. Not everyone who uses cocaine will fall victim to cocaine abuse, but once abuse of cocaine starts it can be very difficult to stop.

Cocaine abuse causes harm not only to the life of the cocaine abuser and those around him, but also to the body and mind of the cocaine abuser. Abuse of cocaine can lead to body, brain and heart problems that can be lifelong or even result in death. See long term effects of cocaine.

Cocaine abuse often starts due to life, work or school problems. Abuse of cocaine develops in an attempt to fix these problems, but cocaine use is only a short-term fix. In treating cocaine abuse, it's critical to deal with these underlying problems, as well as the cocaine addiction.

Cocaine abuse may lead to cocaine overdose in part because other drugs are often used with cocaine, and this makes the cocaine more dangerous. Abuse of cocaine is also associated with tolerance, meaning the cocaine abuser takes more and more cocaine in order to get the same high. The greater the amount of cocaine, the greater the risk of a cocaine overdose.

Cocaine Abuse: Signs of Cocaine Abuse

Like all addictions, signs of cocaine abuse involve choosing to use or obtain the drug over all other activities. A loss of control over cocaine usage and an inability to stop using cocaine are also part of cocaine abuse.

Signs of cocaine abuse include:¹

• Feeling compelled to use cocaine frequently
• Feeling you need cocaine to deal with stress or problems
• Obsessed with getting and using cocaine
• Covering up behaviors surrounding cocaine abuse
• Spending more money on cocaine than you should
• Committing a crime or doing something out-of-character to obtain cocaine
• Doing risky activities (like having unsafe sex) when using cocaine
• Neglecting responsibilities due to cocaine use
• Relationship problems resulting from cocaine use
• No longer engaging in previously enjoyed behavior

It's critical cocaine abuse be identified and treated as soon as possible as risk of death from cocaine-related problems like heart attack, accident or suicide are common.

Cocaine Abuse: Cocaine Overdose Symptoms

Cocaine overdose, also known as cocaine toxicity, can affect every body organ. Because of the various ways of ingesting cocaine, purity of cocaine and other used substances, there is almost no way of predicting what amount will produce a cocaine overdose. Alcohol dramatically increases the risk of harm to health for cocaine abusers - cocaine combined with alcohol increases the risk of sudden death 25-fold. Cigarettes, which contain the stimulant nicotine, compound the danger of a heart attack from cocaine abuse. Many other chemicals also increase the risk of cocaine overdose.

Cocaine overdose symptoms include:²

• Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Increased rate of breathing
• Increased body temperature, sweating
• Agitation, confusion, irritability
• Seizure
• Heart attack with chest pain
• Stroke
• Fever
• Kidney or liver failure

A cocaine overdose is extremely dangerous, often lethal and should always be treated immediately by a doctor. On the opposite end of the spectrum is cocaine withdrawl. More about that next.

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Cocaine effects can be seen in every organ in the body. Whatever form, powder cocaine, crack cocaine or freebase, cocaine has huge psychological, neurological and physiological effects. Not only are cocaine effects evident, but there are also many additional long-term effects of cocaine.

Cocaine Effects: Cocaine Effects on the Body

Effects of cocaine (read: What is cocaine? Cocaine Facts) can be seen in every organ and normal body function. Cocaine effects on the body include:^1,2

• Headaches, vertigo
• Decreased appetite, weight loss
• Diminished fatigue
• Increased energy, activity and strength
• Sense of power, exaggerated self-esteem and intellect
• Decreased sensation of pain
• Talkative, prone to laughter
• Dilated pupils
• Nausea, vomiting
• Stroke
• Kidney failure
• Teeth grinding
• Cold sweats
• Loss of consciousness
• Overheating of body
• Nasal irritation, stuffiness, facial pain
• Decreases fertility and damage to an unborn fetus

Cocaine Effects: Cocaine Effects on the Brain

The cocaine effects that seem desirable are felt because cocaine moves from the blood into the brain and manipulates chemicals in the brain. These cocaine effects on the brain include many harmful cocaine side effects as well, including:

• Alterations of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters
• Seizures, tremors, muscle twitching
• Neurological disorders like catatonia, visual and auditory hallucinations
• Psychiatric disturbances like depression, suicidal ideation, paranoia, kleptomania, psychosis, mania, violent and antisocial behavior
• Impulsivity including risky sexual behavior and risk of HIV
• Overly emotional, irritability
• Coma

Cocaine Effects: Cocaine Effects on the Heart

Cocaine is a stimulant, so cocaine effects on the heart typically include an increase in heart and blood activity; however, when the heart is overexerted or when cocaine is mixed with other drugs, the opposite cocaine effects can be seen.

• Abnormal heart rate, heart disease, and other heart damage
• Abnormal blood pressure
• Blood vessel narrowing
• Chest pain, heart attack

Cocaine Effects: Long-term Effects of Cocaine

Long-term effects of cocaine use can be deadly, particularly due to heart damage. Dealing with cocaine side effects is now a major concern in inner-city emergency room departments. Long-term effects of cocaine use include:

• Interference with sleep including suppression of REM sleep
• Seizures
• Palatal perforation (a hole in the roof of the mouth)
• Nose cartilage perforation
• Sinus diseases, repeated nosebleeds
• Chronic bronchitis, coughing, coughing up black phlegm
• Shortness of breath, chest pain
• Risks of IV injection like HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and others
• Possible lung collapse, respiratory failure, neck pain, painful swallowing if inhaling cocaine
• Accelerated hardening and subsequent narrowing of the coronary arteries
• Heart attack, death
• Alteration in the way the brain senses pleasure

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Cocaine addiction, also known as cocaine abuse, is a common problem in the United States and worldwide with 2.8% of people in the United States having used cocaine in the last year¹, and 10% of new cocaine users going on to heavy use of cocaine. Many countries feel cocaine addiction has reached epidemic proportions.

Cocaine Addiction: Cocaine Addiction Throughout History

Cocaine addiction has been common since the late 19th century when Europeans became interested in cocaine once it was extracted from the coca plant. Cocaine facts show cocaine was initially analyzed for medical uses but soon became popular among artists and intellectuals, one of which was Freud who was addicted to cocaine and believed (falsely) it could be used to cure depression and alcohol dependence.

Cocaine addiction became more common in the late 1970s when crack cocaine was invented and made cocaine addiction more common in inner-cities in the US. 1980 saw a huge increase in the number of cocaine addicts as cocaine became a popular club drug. Cocaine use declined until 1991 when cocaine use and the number of cocaine addicts increased.

Cocaine Addiction: Who Becomes Addicted to Cocaine?

Cocaine use has shifted from occasional club-drug use, which was less likely to lead to cocaine addiction, to crack cocaine use in inner-cities where crack cocaine addiction is common. Crack cocaine addicts commonly:

• have a family history of addiction
• come from poverty
• are older
• are involved in criminal activity

Men are more likely than women to try cocaine, but are not more likely to become cocaine addicts. Cocaine addicts typically move from first trying cocaine to cocaine addiction within one year.²

Cocaine addicts also commonly have another psychological problem before becoming addicted to cocaine; cocaine use becomes their way of dealing with problems. Often sadness, loneliness and anxiety precede addiction to cocaine.³

It's important to remember though, anyone can become a cocaine addict. Cocaine addiction does not discriminate.

Cocaine Addiction: Being a Cocaine Addict

Most cocaine addicts are crack cocaine addicts due to how inexpensive crack cocaine is. Cocaine addicts typically have relationship and employment problems, with many cocaine addicts being unable to keep a job.

Cocaine addicts commonly use cocaine with other drugs like alcohol and marijuana. Cocaine addicts often manage cocaine side effects and cocaine withdrawal symptoms with medication like Valium, Ativan or heroin.

Cocaine addicts are at risk for many health and life problems such as:

• Problems with the criminal justice system related to buying and selling cocaine
• Neuropsychiatric disorders like depression and catatonia
• Accidents or suicide when high
• Headaches, facial pain
• Convulsions, seizures
• Stroke
• Tolerance and dependence
• Overdose
• Insomnia
• HIV, hepatitis B or C
• Death
• Nasal and sinus diseases
• Recurrent nosebleeds and stuffiness
• Chronic bronchitis, coughing, coughing up black phlegm
• Shortness of breath, chest pain

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Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug and cocaine use can cause significant psychological and physiological effects. Cocaine use can lead to cocaine dependence and cocaine addiction. Cocaine use is often combined with use of other drugs like marijuana and alcohol, which can make cocaine use even more dangerous and make cocaine symptoms of use more difficult to see.

Cocaine signs and symptoms are both psychological and physical. Signs of cocaine use, though, vary depending on how much cocaine is used and the ingestion method of cocaine use.

Cocaine Use: Signs of Cocaine Use and Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine use and cocaine addiction signs are those that can be seen by others and may or may not be as a direct result of the cocaine itself.

Use or abuse of cocaine signs include:¹

• Neglecting responsibilities due to cocaine use
• Continuing to use cocaine, even in dangerous circumstances
• Legal trouble resulting from cocaine use
• Relationship problems resulting from cocaine use
• Life revolving around cocaine use
• No longer engaging in previously enjoyed behavior
• Use of over-the-counter nasal decongestants
• Track marks
• Weight loss

The severity and signs of cocaine use are often denied by the cocaine user; however, that does not mean they don't have a problem with cocaine use or cocaine abuse.

Cocaine Use: More Symptoms of Cocaine Use and Cocaine Addiction

While some of the psychological and physiological symptoms of cocaine can be invisible without medical testing, many cocaine symptoms are noticeable, particularly to the cocaine user themselves.

The more prominent symptoms of cocaine use and cocaine addiction include:²

• During cocaine use: euphoria, increased energy and sense of power, decreased sensation of pain, talkativeness, laughing, dilated pupils, nausea, headache, vertigo, emotional instability, teeth grinding, cold sweats, twitching, seizures, and psychosis
• A need to use more of the drug for the same effect (tolerance)
• Nasal and sinus diseases
• Recurrent nosebleeds and stuffiness
• Facial pain
• Chronic bronchitis, coughing, coughing up black phlegm
• Shortness of breath, chest pain
• IV cocaine user faces additional risks, such as HIV or hepatitis B or C

Symptoms of cocaine use, particularly of chronic cocaine use, are found in the brain and all other organs in the body through the use of medical tests. See long term effects of cocaine.

Cocaine Use: Symptoms of Cocaine Use and Cocaine Addiction in Pregnancy

Cocaine use during pregnancy directly endangers the unborn child and the mother. Symptoms of cocaine use during pregnancy include:

• Increased rate of miscarriage
• Increased risk of stillbirth
• Newborn birth defects, malformation
• Low birth rates
• Child behavior abnormalities

Cocaine Use: Cocaine and Alcohol

When cocaine is mixed with alcohol it becomes even more dangerous. While alcohol with cocaine use may produce a better "high," it also creates a toxic, possibly fatal substance called cocaethylene. This substance further increases heart rate and blood pressure; possibly to lethal levels.

Read information on alcohol addiction.

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When considering, "is cocaine addictive?" it's worth knowing cocaine increases the amounts of several pleasure chemicals in the brain. Cocaine is also associated with creating positive reinforcement biochemically in the brain. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 10% of those who start using cocaine go on to heavy use.¹

Cocaine is the second most abused stimulant drug, behind nicotine, making cocaine dependence and cocaine addiction common. Cocaine is also the number one drug involved in emergency room visits, also indicating how dangerous and addictive cocaine is.²

Cocaine has been shown as the most addictive drug in animals and humans react similarly. Cocaine addicts commonly do things completely out-of-character to obtain cocaine.

Is Cocaine Addictive? What is Cocaine Dependence?

Cocaine dependence is not the same thing as cocaine addiction. Cocaine dependence specifically involves becoming tolerant to the effects of cocaine and developing withdrawal symptoms when cocaine use stops.

Cocaine dependence is a development of:

• Tolerance to cocaine: more cocaine is required to obtain the same effect
• Withdrawal symptoms: psychological, physical or both, which occur when cocaine use stops. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can include agitation, anxiety and psychosis.

Many people who develop cocaine dependence go on to become cocaine addicts. The risk of cocaine dependence within the first two years of use is about 5% - 6% and the risk of cocaine dependence in the first ten years is 15% - 16%. Smoking cocaine increases the risk of cocaine dependence and injecting cocaine increases the risk further.³

Is Cocaine Addictive? What is Cocaine Abuse?

Cocaine addiction is also known as cocaine abuse. When considering, "is cocaine addictive?" it's important not to confuse addiction with cocaine dependence. Cocaine dependence is a physical or psychological dependence on the drug, but cocaine addiction requires the individual continue using cocaine despite harmful consequences to themselves and others. Cocaine addiction also often involves illegal or harmful actions to afford the drug.

Facts about cocaine addiction include:⁴

• People with cocaine addiction have had their brain chemistry altered by cocaine
• Cocaine addiction is a mental illness that requires treatment
• Cocaine addicts cannot quit on their own
• Cocaine addiction often leads to use of free base cocaine or crack cocaine
• A family history of addiction creates greater risk in finding cocaine addictive
• About 50% of people who abuse illicit drugs also have a mental illness⁵

Cocaine is considered highly addictive and this may partly be due to the fact that after ingesting the drug, the high is almost immediate and is short-lasting, encouraging the user to use more cocaine after the first high is over.

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Many cocaine facts are available due to cocaine's longstanding use and popularity. Cocaine is a stimulant drug extracted from the leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylon coca) native to the South American Andes mountain range. While South American native populations have been chewing the leaves of the coca planet for centuries, cocaine facts tell us the extracted drug, cocaine, has only been available since the mid-19th century.

In modern times, when people ask, "What is cocaine?" they primarily get cocaine facts about the addictive and illegal nature of the drug. However, facts about cocaine also show that cocaine has a legitimate medical use as a local anesthetic, the first ever available.

What is Cocaine? Facts About Cocaine Use

Facts about cocaine use have been available for decades as cocaine became popular (and it became illegal) over 100 years ago. Facts about cocaine usage in the U.S. lead some to believe cocaine use has reached epidemic proportions.

Facts about cocaine use in the U.S. include:¹

• Cocaine is the second most popular illegal drug (behind marijuana)
• The 1980s was the most popular decade for cocaine use
• By the late 1980s, it is estimated that 30 million people were cocaine users and 6 million people were cocaine addicts
• The person most likely to use cocaine is a white male with a greater than average income between the ages of 18-25
• Young adults who use cocaine generally do so infrequently and use marijuana and alcohol more frequently
• The relapse rate for cocaine addiction treatment is more than 95%.²

Cocaine facts though, are not limited to the US. Facts about cocaine tell us cocaine use is popular worldwide. Facts about cocaine use worldwide include:³

• According to a 2007 United Nations report containing cocaine facts, Spain has the highest rate of cocaine use: 3% of adults using cocaine within the previous year
• The same report contains the cocaine fact that the U.S. has the second greatest percentage of adults using cocaine at 2.8%
• About 3.6% of Europeans have used cocaine at least once and 1.2% within the last year
• 4% - 7% of men have used cocaine in the last year in Spain, Denmark, Ireland, Italy and the United Kingdom

What is Cocaine? Other Forms of Cocaine

While facts about cocaine indicate the drug is primarily seen in a powder form which is inhaled, several other forms of cocaine are available and nasal ingestion is not the only way it is used. Cocaine facts about other forms of cocaine include:

• Cocaine can be injected
• Cocaine is smoked once it becomes crack cocaine
• Cocaine is also smoked once is has been chemically manipulated into a more pure form, known as free base
• In South American countries cocaine is often smoked in a coca paste form

For more on the addictive nature of cocaine, click the "next" article below. For information on:

• Cocaine Addiction: Risk factors, signs, effects, being an addict, abuse, withdrawl, treatment
• Crack Cocaine Addiction: Symptoms, effects, life of crack addict, treatment

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Alcoholism is a Disease

Many people ask, "what is alcoholism?" Alcoholism is a disease characterized by the habitual intake of alcohol. The definition of alcoholism is chronic alcohol use to the degree that it interferes with physical or mental health, or with normal social or work behavior.

Alcoholism is a disease that produces both physical and psychological addiction. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that reduces anxiety, inhibition, and feelings of guilt. It lowers alertness and impairs perception, judgment, and motor coordination. In high doses, it can cause loss of consciousness and even death. Alcoholism is a disease that damages the brain, liver, heart, and other organs (short-term, long-term effects of alcohol).

What is Alcoholism? - Signs and Symptoms

Spotting the signs and symptoms of alcoholism is not always easy. Alcoholism is a disease that can be seen through drinking-related arrests or job loss, but they tend to happen late in the disease.

Many signs occur earlier, yet are harder to detect. These signs include:

• An increasing tolerance to the effects of alcohol. You may have heard the expression that someone can "hold their liquor." This is not a sign that this person will not have problems with alcohol; in fact, this may be an early sign of alcoholism as a disease.
• A growing preoccupation with or interest in drinking. Also drinking alone or drinking before an activity where there will be drinking. It may seem as though one simply enjoys drinking. We now know that these can be part of the definition of alcoholism.
• A person will dispute their drinking is a problem. This symptom, called denial, is almost always present in the disease of alcoholism. See alcoholic denial.

Later, difficulties in relationships, on the job, or with the law often occur.

Other signs and symptoms closely matching the definition of alcoholism are:

• Hiding alcohol or sneaking drinks
• Gulping the first few drinks
• Wanting to drink more, or longer, than the rest of the crowd
• Losing control of drinking, leading to attempts to control it ("going on the wagon")

More detailed information on alcoholism symptoms and warning signs of alcoholism.

What is Alcoholism? - Getting Help

It is very important to seek help early as alcoholism is a disease. As the disease progresses, severe health problems can occur in almost every body system.

If you want to learn more about the signs and definition of alcoholism, consult your healthcare provider or look in the yellow pages for "alcoholism" or "alcoholism treatment." You may also wish to contact the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence for more information. Most cities and towns have AA and Al-Anon meetings. These are meetings for people who have a family member with a drinking problem. If you go, you'll learn more about how alcohol, as a disease, affects families and what you can do.

Read comprehensive information on alcoholism treatment.

Sources:

• DSM IV - American Psychiatric Association
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

See Also:

• Alcohol Relapse: Signs, triggers, prevention.
• Alcoholics: What is an alcoholic? Signs. How to deal with and help an alcoholic.
• Alcohol Abuse: Determining if you have a drinking problem and what do to about it. Statistics on alcohol use.
• Effects of Alcohol: short and long-term, physical and psychological. Plus alcohol withdrawal.

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The question, "what is an alcoholic" has been answered differently as our understanding of the disease has changed. We now know that an alcoholic is a person who is addicted to alcohol; they suffer from the medical disease of alcoholism.

Drinking, even large amounts of alcohol, doesn't necessarily mean a person is addicted to alcohol. This can indicate that the person is simply a binge drinker and may eventually become addicted to alcohol. Those who excessively drink and have problems in their lives because of it, but do not show all the symptoms of alcoholism may be showing signs of alcohol abuse rather than true alcoholism.

Some programs feel that once a person becomes addicted to alcohol, they will be an alcoholic for the rest of their lives, while others believe that recovery from alcoholism is possible without abstaining from drinking forever. The difference in these two perspectives, though, may be that one addresses those addicted to alcohol and the other addresses those who simply abuse alcohol. See alcoholism treatment

What is an Alcoholic? - What Does Being Addicted to Alcohol Mean?

The term "alcoholic" is widely used in Western culture and is often considered pejorative. In fact, the word "alcoholic" is used often without true understanding of what is an alcoholic.

Because there is no set number of drinks needed to be considered an alcoholic or any medical test that shows a person is an alcoholic, people often think of the label alcoholic as arbitrary. Those who are truly addicted to alcohol know this isn't true.

People who are addicted to alcohol drink to excess and continue to drink even though it harms their mental or physical health or the mental or physical health of those around them. People who are addicted to alcohol can't control the amount they drink and are physically and psychologically dependant on alcohol.

What is an Alcoholic? - Who is Addicted to Alcohol?

While not all alcoholics show the same signs of being addicted to alcohol, many of the signs are present in all alcoholics. Those addicted to alcohol tend to do the following:ⁱ

• Alcoholics can't limit the amount of alcohol they drink
• Alcoholics feel an overwhelming urge to drink and feel withdrawal symptoms when they don't
• Alcoholics tend to increase the amount they drink over time
• Alcoholics have problems in their lives due to drinking but will not stop drinking because of them
• Alcoholics drink alone, in secret or in unlikely places like in the car
• Alcoholics typically lose interest in hobbies and other interests and prefer to drink

Those addicted to alcohol tend to have started out drinking socially, then drinking moderately, then drinking to excess (drinking too much) and finally alcoholism. While there are approximately twice as many men addicted to alcohol as women, alcoholism is thought to impact women more severely cognitively.ⁱⁱ

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Just as with any drug, people ask, "what is alcohol abuse?" It can be difficult to tell the difference between social drinking, moderate drinking and alcohol abuse, but the alcohol abuse definition comes down to one key point: is drinking causing problems in the person's life?

When people start drinking, alcohol abuse is generally the furthest thing from their minds. Drinking is started recreationally, with friends and is associated with having a good time. This positive view of alcohol can be why it is so easy to slip into alcohol abuse. Often the thoughts of alcohol being a "good time" drug stop people from seeing the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse.

See alcohol abuse facts.

What is Alcohol Abuse? - Alcohol Abuse Definition

The alcohol abuse definition is similar to alcoholism in that in both cases alcohol is causing harm to the drinker's life and those around them. The difference is that those who abuse alcohol, but are not yet alcoholics, typically can put some limitations on their drinking and they have not yet become physically addicted to alcohol. The key to the alcohol abuse definition is not in the amount of alcohol consumed but on how it affects an individual. (See effects of alcohol)

What is Alcohol Abuse? - Signs of Alcohol Abuse

Because the alcohol abuse definition is general, the signs are unique for each person. Some of the signs will be similar to alcoholism but often to a lesser degree. Alcohol abuse is though, by definition, problem drinking. Signs that fit within the alcohol abuse definition include:ⁱⁱⁱ

• Repeatedly neglecting responsibilities due to drinking or hangover effects
• Using alcohol in ways that are dangerous, for example, drinking and driving
• Having repeated legal or financial trouble as a result of drinking
• Continuing to drink in spite of its negative effects on relationships, work or other priorities
• Drinking as a way to relax or de-stress
• Drinking as a way to feel good, or simply not feel bad

What is Alcohol Abuse? - Effects of Alcohol Abuse

Long-term alcohol abuse can affect everything in a person's life from their family, job and finances as well as almost every organ in the body. The most important part in understanding the alcohol abuse definition is determining whether it applies in your life so help for alcohol abuse can be sought as soon as possible.

It is important to understand that while not everyone who abuses alcohol goes on to become an alcoholic, alcohol abuse is one of the biggest risk factors to becoming an alcoholic.

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