Alcohol abuse means drinking more alcohol than is socially, psychologically or physically healthy. Alcoholism is a more serious condition and is characterised by dependence, both psychological and physical, on alcohol. Alcoholism is a long-term condition in which uncontrolled drinking damages the sufferer s health, social and family life, and career. In practice, the distinction between alcohol abuse and alcoholism is not always clear-cut. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are already common problems and are increasing, especially among young people.
Alcoholism is about four times more common in men than in women.
Occasional, moderate consumption of alcohol poses little risk to health. Indeed, scientific trials have shown that a small, regular intake of red wine can reduce the risk of heart disease. However, women should drink only very little, if any, alcohol while pregnant because even moderate alcohol consumption can cause birth defects or foetal alcohol syndrome . The cause of alcohol abuse and alcoholism is unknown but it is not simply related to drinking, because only about 10 per cent of people who drink alcohol become alcoholics. There is probably a genetic factor because the biological children of people with alcoholism are much more likely to develop alcoholism than are children who are adopted into a family with a history of alcoholism.