Alcohol Dependence vs Addiction: Learning the Key Differences

People drink for many reasons. They drink to celebrate, to relax, or because they’ve got something weighing on them. There’s nothing inherently wrong with drinking, and alcohol is perfectly legal for people over the age of 21.

But some people drink too much, to the point where it can negatively impact other parts of their lives, and they may be unable to stop drinking. Many may not even want to try. Many are afraid that they’ll fail if they do try and revert to compulsive drinking.

At Luxe Recovery, we make it our mission to help people gain the tools they need to overcome substance use disorder so they can avoid using addictive substances such as alcohol again.

What is Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol addiction, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD) or alcoholism, is a medical condition characterized primarily by an uncontrollable urge to drink alcohol. When a person is addicted to alcohol, drinking becomes their highest priority.

It is a chronic disease, and a person who is affected by it will experience a loss of control and be unable to reduce or control their alcohol abuse. A person who is afflicted with AUD will continue to drink even if they suffer adverse effects as a result of their drinking.

What is Alcohol Dependence? 

Alcohol dependence is when a person is mentally and physically dependent on consuming alcohol. Being dependent on alcohol can mean experiencing withdrawal symptoms when unable to drink.

Addiction vs. Dependence: What is the Difference?

While the two terms are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between being addicted to alcohol and being dependent on it.

The main difference between addiction and dependence is that when a person is addicted to alcohol, they are unable to control their behavior and are driven by psychological factors such as their cravings. Alcohol dependence, on the other hand,  is when the body acclimates to the presence of alcohol, which can lead to increased tolerance to alcohol as well as withdrawal symptoms when a person is unable to drink.

Signs that Tolerance or Dependence is Turning into Addiction

There are some signs that a person’s dependence on drinking may be evolving into a full-blown alcohol use disorder. Some of these signs include:

Loss of Control

One of the biggest signs that a person has AUD is if they are completely unable to control their drinking. When a person loses control, they won’t be able to reduce drinking, and they may drink more than they originally intended to.

Stronger Cravings

Another sign that dependence has become an addiction is when cravings become more potent. This can involve a strong, undeniable urge to drink even if drinking causes them harm.

Prioritizing Drinking

Another sign of an alcohol addiction is when a person prioritizes alcohol over everything else in their life. It doesn’t matter what it is, it could be work, school friends, or family. Regardless of what it is, alcohol will take precedence over it.

Neglect

Related to the above, a person may also neglect other aspects of their life in favor of alcohol. Their hygiene, their health, and their hobbies can all fall by the wayside in favor of alcohol.

Drinking to Self-Medicate

Another sign of addiction is when a person begins using alcohol as an emotional crutch. Some people can be in circumstances where stress, anxiety, or depression may be overwhelming, so they may drink to cope.

Escalation

A major signifier of addiction is when a person’s drinking escalates. They may drink more and more frequently, and they may drink stronger liquors, such as going from beer to vodka.

Differences in Treatment for Dependence and Addiction

Treatment for alcohol dependence and addiction often overlap, largely because the goal of treatment is to help a person get control over their drinking habits. But they do differ in several respects. Treating alcohol dependency is focused on stabilizing a person physically and puts a heavy emphasis on managing withdrawal symptoms.

Treating alcohol addiction, on the other hand, is focused on managing the psychological aspects of drinking. Treatment places a heavy emphasis on addressing the underlying causes of drinking, changing a person’s relationship with alcohol, and preventing relapse.

That said, many treatment programs integrate both approaches when addressing someone’s drinking, as it’s often the case that a person has both a physical and mental dependence on alcohol, and many treatment providers tailor their approach to each patient.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

When a person’s body is acclimated to the presence of alcohol, its absence can often throw the body off its rhythm, which can cause withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can include anxiety, nausea, tremors, chills, sweating, insomnia, headaches, loss of appetite, increased heart rate, and fatigue.

However, if a person’s alcohol misuse is severe, then their withdrawal symptoms may include hallucinations, seizures, severe confusion, and extreme agitation.

Delirium Tremens (DTs)

Delirium Tremens (DTs) is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can include many of the severe symptoms outlined above. DTs are potentially life-threatening and will require immediate medical attention.

Get Support for Addiction and Physical Dependence 

Alcohol dependence and addiction. are relatively easy to acquire. After all, alcohol is freely available and legal to purchase. Most merchants aren’t going to have any qualms about selling alcohol to someone as long as they have the money for it and can prove they’re of legal age. 

At Luxe Recovery, we know how hard it can be to maintain sobriety. That’s why we provide the highest level of care and comprehensive treatment. Our goal is to give our guests the tools they need to manage their addictions. Contact us now, and we’ll get started on your recovery.