Alcohol abuse or dependence can develop very quickly or gradually over your lifetime. In the beginning, your drinking might not appear to be any different from the way other people drink. Some people drink only occasionally but drink a lot (binge drinkers), which can lead to alcohol abuse. Over time, your drinking might become a way for you to feel normal or to cope with life's problems.

People who drink heavily over many years can develop complications of continued alcohol use such as liver disease (cirrhosis), depression, or peptic ulcer. They often have ongoing social problems and legal problems (such as traffic violations or accidents) as a result of drinking.

Many people who have drinking problems also have mental health conditions, such as depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, or anxiety disorders. Although it might seem like drinking helps with symptoms of these problems, it actually makes them worse. Alcohol use sometimes decreases when these conditions are treated.

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