Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are different branches of same poisonous tree. Alcoholism is dependence based; meaning, a person feels that they need alcohol in order to cope with day-to-day life. Alcohol abuse, on other hand, is not an uncontrollable urge, but uncontrollability of 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 may 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 everyone who binge drinks would be considered an alcoholic, by definition.
Try asking yourself 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 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 morning to feel better, or to calm your nerves (or to recover from a hangover)?