"While alcoholism and alcohol abuse are different, alcohol abuse is an issue, especially if it affects your day-to-day life," says David C. Rosenker, the Caron Foundation's executive vice president of Treatment Services. "The behaviors associated with alcohol abuse - problems at work or school, problems with family, friends or the law, using poor judgment - indicate that there may be a problem with alcohol that needs to be addressed."
Addiction to a substance is chronic, progressive, and potentially fatal. Therefore, the Caron Foundation recommends early intervention for at-risk and underage drinkers who regularly engage in abusive behavior.
"If you define addiction as compulsion, loss of control and continued use despite the consequences, then someone who regularly and excessively uses alcohol and loses control while drinking, falls into two of these criteria and is at risk of developing alcoholism," explains Rosenker. "There's a fine line between abuse and addiction that is very easily crossed and not easily recognized."
Signs of Addiction
To recognize the difference between abuse and addiction, the Caron Foundation provides the following signs of addiction:
- Mood Swings
- Personality Changes
- Defensiveness
- Strained Communication
- Lack of self-discipline
- School and Work Problems
- Anxious Behavior
- Change in appearance
"Denial skews this data," according to Rosenker. "Most people don't want to admit they have a problem, and do not answer honestly if they feel their answers may reflect one."
The not-for-profit Caron Foundation treats more than 4,000 patients from across the U.S. and abroad. Caron operates a residential treatment center in Wernersville, Pa. and Renaissance Institute of Palm Beach, an extended care treatment center in Boca Raton, Fla. Caron also operates a New York Recovery Center and has a regional office in Philadelphia.
