- Home
- Parents Home
- Allergy Center
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- Emotions & Behavior
- First Aid & Safety
- Food Allergy Center
- General Health
- Growth & Development
- Flu Center
- Heart Health
- Helping With Homework
- Infections
- Diseases & Conditions
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Play & Learn Center
- School & Family Life
- Pregnancy & Newborn Center
- Pregnancy & Baby
- Q&A
- Recipes
- Sports Medicine Center
- Doctors & Hospitals
- Videos
- Para Padres
- Home
- Kids Home
- Asthma Center for Kids
- Cancer Center for Kids
- Movies & More
- Diabetes Center for Kids
- Getting Help
- Feelings
- Puberty & Growing Up
- Health Problems of Grown-Ups
- Health Problems
- Homework Center
- How the Body Works
- Illnesses & Injuries
- Nutrition & Fitness Center for Kids
- Recipes & Cooking for Kids
- Staying Healthy
- Stay Safe Center
- Relax & Unwind Center
- Q&A for Kids
- The Heart
- Videos for Kids
- Staying Safe
- Kids' Medical Dictionary
- Para Niños
- Home
- Teens Home
- Asthma Center for Teens
- Be Your Best Self
- Cancer Center for Teens
- Diabetes Center for Teens
- Diseases & Conditions (for Teens)
- Drugs & Alcohol
- Expert Answers (Q&A)
- Flu Center for Teens
- Homework Help for Teens
- Infections (for Teens)
- Managing Your Medical Care
- Managing Your Weight
- Nutrition & Fitness Center for Teens
- Recipes for Teens
- Safety & First Aid
- School & Work
- Sports Center
- Stress & Coping Center
- Videos for Teens
- Body
- Mind
- Para Adolescentes
A to Z: Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse happens when someone drinks alcoholic beverages, becomes intoxicated, and behaves in a way that could lead to physical, social, legal, or medical problems.
More to Know
Alcohol (also known as ethanol) is a powerful depressant drug found in beer, wine, and liquor. Alcohol use is divided into three categories — use, abuse, and addiction:
- Alcohol use means drinking in a social manner that doesn't cause the user any problems.
- Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that causes harm to someone's health, relationships, or ability to work.
- Alcohol addiction (alcoholism or alcohol dependency) happens when someone becomes dependent on alcohol and needs to drink repeatedly.
Alcohol is the most widely abused substance in the United States. Common behaviors associated with alcohol abuse include failing in responsibilities at home, school, or work; drinking while driving or operating heavy machinery; having legal problems like being arrested for drinking and driving; and drinking despite alcohol use causing problems in relationships.
Long-term alcohol abuse can eventually lead to alcohol addiction. Over time, this can cause health problems like cirrhosis and cancer of the liver, memory loss, stomach ailments, serious vitamin deficiencies, and damage to the heart and nervous system.
Treatment for alcohol abuse includes counseling and therapy to change the pattern of abusive behavior.
Keep in Mind
Alcohol abuse can be dangerous and destructive, but it doesn't always lead to alcohol addiction. People who frequently abuse alcohol can only change their behavior if they want to. Some people are able to reduce their alcohol use on their own, but a positive outcome is more likely with treatment.
All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995- The Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth® is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.
Images sourced by The Nemours Foundation and Getty Images.