Originally Posted by
GlassPrisoner 
This. With the slight changes I made in italics.
Also, alcohol abusers, AKA "Heavy" or "Problem" drinkers are often just alcoholics in the early stages of the disease/condition.
Lastly, there is alcohol dependance. This is where the alcoholic suffers withdraw with abstinence. And I DO mean suffer.
It's confusing, because they are all closely inter-related.
Thanks....now,the big question. Are they treated differently? Wouldn't refraining from drinking be the logical answer to this problem for ALL types?
If you stop right there, I am leaning toward thinking it is abuse when you see there is a problem and decide to stop AND CAN, and can STAY stopped. Like drinking too much for a bit at college and then decided it was time to stop and just going on, dropping the drinking and craziness.
Those that deny there is a problem or can either not stop or stay stopped, seem to be dealing with another problem.....I would think that indicates alcoholism ( the craving or something).
Physical dependence probably would be seen in some alcoholics (daily drinkers or later stage).
Do these sound close?