Problematic drinking differs from binge drinking in that it exhibits patterned behaviors related to alcohol use. This is not to say that binge drinking may be a sign of problematic drinking, but that an individual scenario of binge drinking is not enough to qualify the behavior as problematic.
Some signs that someone’s drinking is becoming problematic include:
- Risk of bodily harm, such as drinking and driving, or swimming while intoxicated.
- Negatively impacting personal relationships
- Lawful consequences of actions and behaviors while drinking
- Loss of control over alcohol, such as not being able to maintain limits.
- Increased tolerance to the effects of alcohol
Concerned about yourself or a friend? Use this quick screening tool.
Sources:
- Rethinking Drinking: http://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov
- Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/295/17/2100.full.pdf