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Alcohol Abuse Classification and external resources
ICD-10	F10.
ICD-9	305.0

Alcohol abuse, as described in the DSM-IV, is a psychiatric diagnosis describing the use of alcoholic beverages despite negative consequences. It is differentiated from alcohol dependence by the lack of symptoms such as tolerance and withdrawal.^[1] Alcohol abuse is sometimes referred to by the less specific term alcoholism. However, many definitions of alcoholism exist, and only some are compatible with alcohol abuse.

There are currently approximately 9 million alcoholics in the United States alone, with comparable numbers in other countries. According to Max Fisher, the author of How I Stopped Drinking, there is little if any difference between the terms alcohol abuse, alcoholic, and alcoholism. Or, significant correlations exist between alcohol abuse and other substance abuse disorders.^[2]

Treatment can vary for Alcohol Abuse but there are many programs that exist from prevention to age and gender specific rehab centers.^[3] Many times there are abuse issues associated with alcoholism and group treatment entirely composed of women, for example, can help tend to issues surrounding male abusers. Rehabilitation centers are recommended for detoxification as there can be serious physical effects, including death, if treated improperly.

References