What’s the Difference Between “Problem Drinking” and Alcohol Dependence?

Question by Jake Bosoc: What’s the difference between “problem drinking” and alcohol dependence?
And what exactly defines “problem drinking”? I’ve seen stats that say that 12-15% of people in the US are problem drinkers, yet only 3-5% of the public is alcohol dependent. What exactly are the differences?

Best answer:

Answer by essentiallysolo
the degree of use, and the definition for that varies from state to state.
Problem drinkers are like those that go out on the weekends get plowed and drive drunk, creating a “problem”. During the week, they work, pay taxes and don’t generally get into trouble.
those that are alcohol dependent, drink daily, they cannot get thru a day without having their “fix”. Many are closet drinkers, many seem to function normally day to day, but they need alcohol to get thru life.
And a great many “problem drinkers” eventually become alcoholics, or alcohol dependent.

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