Alcohol addiction, commonly called alcoholism, is one end of a spectrum of substance abuse. Binge drinking, excessive drinking, and using alcohol to cope with daily stress are all forms of abuse. Standard use may be considered a drinking problem once alcohol begins to negatively and overtly affect the drinker’s life.The transition from casual use to abuse is often a gradual one, and may not be immediately evident. Many people will escalate through phases of abuse before developing a full addiction.Signs of Alcohol Addiction:
Loss of control
Preoccupation with consumption
Continued consumption, despite negative life consequences
Reduction in motivation outside of consumption
When someone exhibits the above signs, they may have an addiction to alcohol. In the U.S., there are an estimated 18 million adults who struggle with alcohol abuse or addiction annually.