People addicted to alcohol will likely consume alcohol in all kinds of different environments, not just at parties. They may have a problem using alcohol responsibly and may drink anywhere and anytime. On the other hand, binge drinkers usually drink in a social setting but otherwise remain sober.
Although binge drinking does not necessarily mean that you have a more serious alcohol use disorder (commonly called alcoholism), binge drinking could be a sign that you are developing symptoms of a more serious alcohol use disorder.
Binge drinking—Four or more drinks for women, or five or more drinks for men during an occasion. Heavy drinking—Eight or more drinks for women, or 15 or more drinks for men during a week. Underage drinking—any alcohol use by people younger than 21.
With alcohol abuse, you might drink too much in certain situations, but you can still control your drinking most of the time. Alcoholism, on the other hand, is a chronic, compulsive need to drink, making it hard to stop even when it causes serious problems. Think of Alcohol Use Disorder as a spectrum.
Even binge drinkers are not necessarily alcoholics
…about 29 percent of the population meets the definition for excessive drinking, but 90 percent of them do not meet the definition of alcoholism.…
Usually this is based on behaviour over the last 12 months or more, but alcohol dependence could be diagnosed based on continuous (daily or almost daily) for at least one month.
Signs and symptoms of binge drinking
You might start the night with the intention of drinking one or two beers. But then, you lose track of time and your pace. An hour or two later, you're more intoxicated than you wanted to be. You have a hard time cutting yourself off once you start drinking.
Signs you're drinking too much alcohol
In several studies using the SURP, binge drinkers scored higher in Sensation seeking, Impulsivity and Hopelessness than non-bingers (5, 27, 30), and all the personality traits were related to alcohol problems (30).
If someone loses control over their drinking and has an excessive desire to drink, it's known as dependent drinking (alcoholism). Dependent drinking usually affects a person's quality of life and relationships, but they may not always find it easy to see or accept this.
The 1-2-3 drinking rule is a guideline for moderation: 1 drink per hour, no more than 2 drinks per occasion, and at least 3 alcohol-free days each week, helping to pace consumption and stay within safer limits. It emphasizes pacing alcohol intake with water and food, knowing standard drink sizes (12oz beer, 5oz wine, 1.5oz spirits), and avoiding daily drinking to reduce health risks, though some health guidance suggests even lower limits.
When we discuss binge drinking vs alcoholism, we're looking at two separate but sometimes interconnected forms of alcohol abuse. Someone who's a binge drinker might not be an alcoholic, and the same is true the other way around. However, both can cause considerable health problems, even death.
Recognizing why someone drinks can be a great first step in helping them build healthier habits or offering support when they need it.
A 2009 study found that daily drinking was worse for the liver than occasional binge drinking.
How long do you have to drink before liver damage? People with serious liver damage have usually been drinking for 20 or more years. But complications can develop after 5 to 10 years of heavy drinking. Again, this can be highly variable between individuals and is likely genetic.
People addicted to alcohol will likely consume alcohol in all kinds of different environments, not just at parties. They may have a problem using alcohol responsibly and may drink anywhere and anytime. On the other hand, binge drinkers usually drink in a social setting but otherwise remain sober.
Mood disturbances (which frequently are not severe enough to qualify as “disorders”) are arguably the most common psychiatric complaint among treatment-seeking alcoholic patients, affecting upwards of 80 percent of alcoholics at some point in their drinking careers (Brown and Schuckit 1988; Anthenelli and Schuckit 1993 ...
Stages of the Addiction Cycle
Warning Signs of Substance and Alcohol Use Disorder
The "20-minute rule for alcohol" is a simple strategy to moderate drinking: wait 20 minutes after finishing one alcoholic drink before starting the next, giving you time to rehydrate with water and reassess if you truly want another, often reducing cravings and overall intake. It helps slow consumption, break the chain of continuous drinking, and allows the body a natural break, making it easier to decide if you've had enough or switch to a non-alcoholic option.
The single, unifying symptom for all individuals with alcoholism (Alcohol Use Disorder) is the inability to control drinking, often characterized by intense cravings and a compulsion to drink, even when it causes significant harm, with the core issue being a loss of control once drinking begins, leading to continued use despite negative consequences. While physical dependence (withdrawal) and tolerance are common, the fundamental commonality is this internal struggle to stop or moderate, a concept often called the "phenomenon of craving" in recovery literature.
Warning Signs of Alcohol Addiction
Drinking too much can be the result of social pressures, and sometimes it helps to know there are others who have gone through the same thing. If you're worried, don't hesitate to ask someone for help. A supportive friend or adult could help you to avoid pressure situations, stop drinking, or find counseling.
10 Signs of Alcohol Addiction