While "alcoholism" and "alcohol use disorder" may seem synonymous, they represent distinct conditions linked to alcohol consumption. Alcoholism signifies severe alcohol dependency causing significant health issues, physical or mental. However, this term is not officially recognized. Instead, physicians use terms like "alcohol dependence" or "alcohol use disorder". The latter, officially recognized in the DSM-V, ranges in severity from mild to extreme, diagnosed based on 11 distinct symptoms. The presence and number of these symptoms over the past year indicate the presence and gravity of the disorder. 

Two forms of excessive alcohol use exist—binge drinking and heavy drinking. Heavy drinking is defined based on weekly consumption: daily intake of two drinks (or more than fourteen per week) for men under 65, and more than seven drinks per week for men above 65 and women. Binge drinking refers to consuming a substantial amount of alcohol in a short period: for men, five or more drinks within two hours, and for women, four or more drinks within the same timeframe. 

Not all heavy or binge drinkers suffer from alcohol use disorder. The key difference between excessive drinkers and alcoholics lies in their reaction to cessation of drinking. For excessive drinkers, quitting often enhances their quality of life. People with alcohol use disorder, however, struggle to stop drinking. Even if they momentarily quit, relapse is always a looming threat. 

Those suspecting they're turning into alcoholics could consider several warning signs. These include: craving alcohol, secret drinking, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, mood swings, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, prioritizing drinking over other responsibilities, and guilt related to drinking. 

If you wish to understand whether your consumption patterns lean towards a healthy or destructive relationship with alcohol, consider taking an "alcoholic test" or "alcoholic quiz", which are easily available online.

Both short-term and long-term health risks are associated with alcohol use disorder. Short-term risks include injuries, alcohol poisoning, violence, risky sexual behaviors, and problems related to pregnancy among women. Long-term risks include various cancers, heart disease, liver disease, stroke, weakened immune system, social issues, and mental health problems. 

Alcohol use disorder develops gradually, often catching people off guard. If you suspect developing a problem, educating yourself on the disorder can be a good start. Behavior, mental health, and physical health symptoms can result from the disorder. 

When individuals become dependent on alcohol, they commonly experience withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. These can range from mild to severe, depending on the length and quantity of drinking. In case of uncertainty, reaching out to a specialist can provide clarity.

Our Alcoholism Test will provide you with a score that ranges from 0-42, 42 being severe and strong likelihood of alcoholism. Keep in mind this is just an alcoholism quiz and results may not be fully accurate as well as not being near a medical diagnosis. This is just to see if the main areas of your life are being affected by your drinking and to educate you and provide resources to help.