Alcohol:

Alcohol Abuse and Dependence is defined as a “maladaptive pattern of substance abuse leading to clinically significant impairment or distress” (DSM-IV). In reality, my clinical experience has shown that the difference between abuse and dependence can be negligible when considering the consequences to that person’s life as well as to society in general. Substance abuse and/or dependence can result as a way of “self-medicating” from an early history of trauma, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. When substance abuse accompanies another diagnosis, the person may be referred to as having a “dual diagnosis”. This term just refers to the fact that specific considerations must be made with treatment planning efforts.