Alcoholism is the most severe form of alcohol abuse and involves the inability to manage drinking habits, being preoccupied with alcohol, continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems, having to drink more to urge an equivalent effect, or having withdrawal symptoms once you rapidly decrease or stop drinking.
Unhealthy alcohol use includes any alcohol use that puts your health or safety in danger or causes other alcohol-related problems. It also includes binge drinking a pattern of drinking where a male consumes five or more drinks within two hours or a female downs a minimum of four drinks within two hours. Binge drinking causes significant health and safety risks.
If your pattern of drinking leads to repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your lifestyle, you likely have alcohol use disorder. It can range from mild to severe. However, even a light disorder can escalate and cause serious problems, so early treatment is vital.