Casual drinking is not the same as alcoholism, but it can develop into alcoholism when a person begins to need alcohol to function in their daily tasks. Alcoholism is an addiction and a chronic disease.
Around 43% of the world’s population drinks alcohol [1], but not everyone who consumes alcohol suffers from alcoholism. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) — the clinical diagnosis for alcoholism — affects around 400 million people globally [2].
Drinking can lead to alcoholism, which can be a debilitating and life-threatening condition. Knowing when drinking turns to alcoholism can improve health and save lives.
What Is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a disease where people are unable to stop drinking alcohol despite negative effects on their health, relationships, and work. It is often referred to as AUD, alcohol dependence, and alcohol addiction.
Prolonged abuse of alcohol leads to changes in the brain. It can alter how the brain looks and functions and reduce the size of neurons (the brain’s messenger cells). Areas that carry out memory recall, speech, balance, and decision-making can be impaired. This impact is why people with alcoholism have a higher likelihood of being injured, struggling at work, and damaging personal relationships.
Changes in the brain can facilitate the difference between casual, controlled drinking and alcoholism. The more often and the higher volume of alcohol that an individual drinks, the more brain changes make it harder to stop drinking alcohol [3].
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Casual Drinking vs Alcoholism
Casual drinking is the ability to consume alcohol responsibly and with control. It involves moderate drinking, which The Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines as [4]:
- 1 alcoholic drink or less a day for women
- 2 alcoholic drinks or less a day for men
There is no set amount of alcohol consumption that defines alcoholism. However, the risk of developing alcoholism increases significantly with heavy drinking [5]. According to the CDC, heavy drinking is:
- 8 or more alcoholic drinks per week for women
- 15 or more alcoholic drinks per week for men
One study suggests that casual drinking is controlled and goal-oriented (e.g., to enjoy the taste or other rewarding components of alcohol). Casual drinking includes the ability to stop consuming alcohol. Alcoholism, though, is habitual alcohol-seeking, even when the desire for alcohol is no longer present [6].
What Are Signs of Alcoholism?
A number of signs can indicate alcoholism. These include:
| Spending significant amounts of time drinking or recovering from drinking alcohol | Experiencing cravings for alcohol |
| Unsuccessfully being able to cut down on alcohol despite wanting to | Continuing to drink alcohol even when it leads to physical, social, or relationship problems |
| Noticing that alcohol use negatively affects social and professional responsibilities | Spending less time on activities to drink alcohol instead |
| Consuming alcohol in high-risk situations, such as driving | Needing higher amounts of alcohol to achieve the same effects as previously |
Withdrawal symptoms are also a sign of alcoholism. Research shows that 50% of people with alcoholism will experience some form of withdrawal when they stop drinking alcohol [7].
Withdrawal symptoms among people suffering from alcoholism include:
- Tremors
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Hypervigilance
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Sweating
Casual drinking may lead to a hangover, which can feature some of the above symptoms but is not the same as alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can last for days or weeks and are the result of physical dependence on alcohol.
Contact us today to schedule an initial assessment or to learn more about our services. Whether you are seeking intensive outpatient care or simply need guidance on your mental health journey, we are here to help.
What Are The Effects of Alcoholism?
The physical, mental, and social effects of alcoholism are vast and profound.
Effects of alcoholism on physical health include increased risk of:
- Alcoholic dementia
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Liver disease
- Stroke
- Digestive problems
- Weakened immune system
- Erectile dysfunction
- Infertility
- Osteoporosis
Excessive drinking is the leading preventable cause of death in the US [8]. Alcohol is also the leading risk factor for premature death and disability among individuals aged 20 to 39 years [2].
Effects of alcoholism on mental health include increased risk of:
- Major depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Sleep disorders
Mental health disorders often co-occur with alcoholism and can fuel excessive drinking. At the same time, excessive drinking worsens mental health disorders. Anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric disorders are more prevalent among individuals with alcoholism compared to the general population [9].
Effects of alcoholism on social health include increased risk of:
- Isolation
- Promiscuity
- Aggression
- Financial problems
- Relationship issues
- Unemployment
- Homelessness
- Committing crimes
Is There Treatment For Alcoholism?
Treatment is available for alcoholism. It should be tailored to the individual’s needs, factoring in the amount of alcohol they consume, how often, and for how long.
Treatment typically includes evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to address the causes of addiction. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) may be given to help individuals reduce cravings and manage withdrawal symptoms. This treatment additionally lowers the risk of relapse. Other therapies are appropriate if the person is suffering from a co-occurring mental health disorder.
Research repeatedly highlights the effectiveness of medication-driven and evidence-based therapies for alcoholism [10] [11] [12].
Medical detox programs, residential programs, and partial hospitalization programs (PHP) are common structured forms of treatment for alcoholism. It’s not recommended to treat alcoholism independently without intervention from a medical professional. Supervised care can lower the risk of health complications and relapse, and promote longer-term recovery.
Did you know most health insurance plans cover mental health treatment? Check your coverage online now.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Worthy Wellness Center
At Worthy Wellness Center, we offer evidence-based, compassionate care for alcohol use disorder. Our treatment is carried out by licensed, empathetic professionals, who facilitate personalized programs within a judgment-free space.
Through a combination of therapies, holistic activities, and Medication-Assisted Treatment where needed, we help people find and stay on their recovery journey.
Our treatment center is located in Carlsbad, in North County, San Diego, one block from the beach. We integrate our environment with treatment, encouraging program attendees to use nature as part of their physical, mental, and spiritual healing.
We serve all people and celebrate diversity. We also have a sober living program specifically for women to have a safe, community-focused base while moving forward in their sobriety.
Take a step to better health. Speak with us about alcohol addiction treatment.
Sources
[1] Gallup News. (August 2025). U.S. Drinking Rate at New Low as Alcohol Concerns Surge. news.gallup.com.
[2] World Health Organization. (June 2024). Alcohol. who.int.
[3] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (September 2025). Neuroscience: The Brain in Addiction and Recovery. niaaa.nih.gov.
[4] CDC. (January 2025). Alcohol Use and Your Health. cdc.gov.
[5] Carr, T. et al. (March 2024). The risk relationships between alcohol consumption, alcohol use disorder, and alcohol use disorder mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction.
[6] Barker, J. Taylor, J. (September 2014). Habitual alcohol seeking: modeling the transition from casual drinking to addiction. Neuroscience and BioBehavioral Reviews.
[7] Goodson, C. et al. (October 2014). Predictors of severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research.
[8] CDC. (August 2024). Facts About U.S. Deaths from Excessive Alcohol Use. cdc.gov.
[9] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (September 2025). Mental Health Issues: Alcohol Use Disorder and Common Co-occurring Conditions. niaaa.nih.gov.
[10] Agabio, R. et al. (November 2024). Efficacy of medications for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD): A systematic review and meta-analysis considering baseline AUD severity. Pharmacological Research. Volume 209.
[11] Witkiewitz, K. et al. (September 2019). Advances in the science and treatment of alcohol use disorder. Science Advances.
[12] Mar, Y. et al. (October 2023). Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder. Clinical Guidelines Program.
