Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are different branches of the
identical poisonous tree. Alcoholism is dependence based;
meaning, a person feels that they absolutely need alcohol in order to
cope with day-to-day life.

Alcohol abuse, on the other hand, is not an uncontrollable
urge, but the uncontrollability of the abuser once s/he
obtains alcohol.

An alcoholic abuser may have problems keeping up with daily
responsibilities, such as going to work or adhering to
familial needs. He or she might also get in drunk-driving
accidents, or develop medical conditions due to their
alcoholic consumption.

Binge drinking, for example, is a method of abusing
alcohol, but not every body who binge drinks would be
considered an alcoholic, by definition.

Try asking yourself the following questions to assess
whether you believe that you could have a problematic
alcohol related issue. The first question relates to how
others view you.

* Question 1: Has anyone ever brought the issue up, that
your drinking is a problem? The next three deal with
personal reflection.

* Question 2: Have you ever felt guilty about your
drinking?

* Question 3: Have you ever thought that drinking got in
your way or that you should cut down?

* And, question 4: Do you drink in the morning to feel
better, or to calm your nerves (or to recover from a
hangover)?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then you
could have an alcohol related problem. If you answered yes
to more than one, then you should seriously initial thinking
about treatment options because, like any disease, if
caught early enough, the chances for success are
exponentially greater than if you allow the disease (as it
is a disease of the body and mind) to carry on its course.

Once you talk to an expert or others about these issues,
you will find the best route of treatment. Many problem
drinkers recover and abstain from alcohol for the rest of
their lives. Others attempt to moderate their consumption.
That, however, takes even more control and determination
than quitting all together.

And, as stated, if you feel within yourself that there is
a problem, or if others have shown concern in regard to
your drinking habits, then it might be best to ruminate on
abstaining from alcohol completely, thereby allowing you no
"slip ups" in the future.