Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse: MedlinePlus
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National Institutes of Health
Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
Also called: Alcohol dependence
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
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Alcohol withdrawal
Alcoholic ketoacidosis
Alcoholic liver disease
Alcoholic neuropathy
Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
Beriberi
Central pontine myelinolysis
Deciding to quit drinking alcohol
Delirium tremens
Diet and substance abuse recovery
Related Topics
Alcohol
Cirrhosis
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Impaired Driving
Underage Drinking
Substance Abuse Problems
National Institutes of Health
The primary NIH organization for research on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse is the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
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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
Real-Life Stories about Addiction Struggles
Rethinking Drinking
Science of Addiction
Tips You Can Try to Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Start Here
Alcohol Use Disorders(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
JAMA Patient Page: Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism(American Medical Association) - PDF
Also available in Spanish
Rethinking Drinking: Questions and Answers(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Overviews
Alcoholism(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Drinking to Excess: Recognize and Treat Alcohol Problems(National Institutes of Health)
Faces of Change: Do I Have a Problem with Alcohol or Drugs?(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDF
Latest News
Binge Drinking and High Blood Pressure(10/22/2014, HealthDay)
Binge Drinking May Boost Blood Pressure in Young Men(10/21/2014, HealthDay)
Younger Age At First Drink, Higher Odds for Problem Drinking(09/23/2014, HealthDay)
NIAAA to Conduct Clinical Trial of New Medication for Alcohol Use Disorder(09/09/2014, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Counseling Does Little to Deter Youth Drinking, Review Finds(08/22/2014, HealthDay)
Diagnosis/Symptoms
Signs of Alcohol Abuse and Addiction(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Treatment
Alcohol and Drug Treatment: How It Works, and How It Can Help You(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDF
Also available in Spanish
Naltrexone for Alcoholism(American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
Road to Sobriety Is Difficult, but Possible(American Osteopathic Association)
Understanding Alcohol Use Disorders and Their Treatment(American Psychological Association)
Also available in Spanish
What Is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDF
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Prevention/Screening
CDC Vital Signs: Alcohol Screening and Counseling(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Also available in Spanish
Screening Tests(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
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Rehabilitation/Recovery
Alcohol Abuse: Taking Medicines Safely after Alcohol or Drug Abuse Recovery(American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
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Disease Management
Intervention: Help a Loved One Overcome Addiction(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Support for Quitting: Choose Your Approach(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
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Specific Conditions
Alcohol Abuse: Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome(American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
Overview of Alcohol Consumption(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
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Related Issues
Alcohol Poisoning(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Alcohol's Effects on the Body(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Alcohol-Related Liver Disease(American Liver Foundation)
Drinking Too Much Too Fast Can Kill You(National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence) - PDF
Minority Health and Health Disparities(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Moderate and Binge Drinking(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
PTSD and Problems with Alcohol Use(National Center for PTSD)
Smoking Cessation in Recovering Alcoholics(American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary
What People Recovering from Alcoholism Need to Know about Osteoporosis(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
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Pictures & Photographs
Motivation for Change(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDF
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Health Check Tools
Interactive Worksheets and More(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
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Tutorials
Alcohol Use and Older Adults(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
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Videos
Getting Help for Alcohol Addiction(National Library of Medicine)
How Can I Cut Back on My Drinking?(National Library of Medicine)
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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)
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Genetics
Alcohol Alert: Genetics of Alcoholism(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Family History of Alcoholism: Are You at Risk?<img alt="From the National Institutes of Health" class="imgdesc" height="16" src="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/images/nih.gif" style="border: none; display: inline-block; margin-left: 5px; vertical-align: -10%; width: auto;" title="From the National Institutes of Health" w