Over the past year, Jamie lost three jobs because his alcohol drinking behavior made him late for work too often. He's had three driving while under the influence (DUI) arrests in the past 6 years. Nevertheless, he can stop drinking alcohol for weeks without craving the drug, and when he stops drinking, he doesn't show signs and symptoms of withdrawal. According to this information, Jamie's drinking behavior is typical of someone who

Alcohol abuse is a general term for any level of risk, from increased drinking to alcohol dependence. Alcohol abuse can produce physical or mental health damage, even in the absence of addiction. Alcohol abuse is different from alcoholism because it does not include an uncontrollable urge to drink, loss of control or physical dependence. And yet alcohol abuse is less likely to include tolerance than alcoholism (the need to increase amounts of alcohol to experience the same effects as before). Jamie has alcohol abuse, although he is not alcohol dependent, his alcohol abuse has already caused many problems in his life.