Alcoholism and alcohol abuse (also known as alcohol misuse) both refer to harmful drinking patterns but are not the same. People who abuse alcohol drink too much occasionally and often result in poor judgment and a negative change in behavior. Despite experiencing substance-related problems, they continue to drink. The difference they have between people struggling with alcoholism is that they are not dependent on the substance. People who deal with alcoholism need the substance to get through their days.

Although drinking alcohol isn’t commonly liked by everyone, most people drink it for various reasons. Drinking alcohol may be associated with celebrations, gatherings, or a simple way to end a meal. Having a drink now and then would probably not be harmful to anyone. Drink too much, though, and you might be facing a lot of problems.

Know the stages of alcoholism and when to seek help for yourself or a loved one! There are 6 stages that you should understand to know if you're in growing need of help or that you're loved one is entering the point of no return.

Addictive substances such as alcohol affect different parts of the brain. These include the elements responsible for planning, decision-making, and pleasure-seeking. Unsurprisingly, when someone starts to develop a hi-jacked brain because of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), some aspects of their characteristics change.

It isn’t always easy to tell if someone has an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Though if you suspect that a loved one may be addicted, your suspicions should be taken seriously.