It's hard to tell the difference between heavy drinking vs alcoholism, so we often meld the two together, but a federal study has shown that only 10% of U.S. adults who drink too much are alcoholics, according to the NY Daily News.

For those wondering what makes heavy drinking and alcoholism different, signs of alcoholism reportedly include an inability to stop or reduce drinking, continuing to drink even after it causes problems with family or work, and excessive time spent drinking each day.

Many people think that most of those who are frequently involved in heavy drinking are alcoholics; however, medical specialists have reportedly suspected that this belief is incorrect, stated Robert Brewer, an author of a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that analyzed self-reported data from 138,100 U.S. adults.

"The reality of the situation is that most adults who drink, they're drinking may be a couple drinks during the week and then typically [larger] amounts on weekends," stated Brewer.

The study reportedly found that 90% of heavy drinkers fell short of the criteria for alcoholism. The cutoff that separates heaving drinking and alcoholism has to do with the amount of drinks one has as well.

Women who have eight or more drinks per week and men who have 15 of more are reportedly considered heavy drinkers.

Those who are not alcohol dependent don't experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking, nor do they report an increased tolerance of alcohol, according to the Wyoming Public Media.

Drinking too much is reportedly responsible for 88,000 deaths per year and costs the U.S. more than $200 billion, according to the CDC. Health effects reportedly include breast cancer, liver and heart disease and auto accidents.

"Anybody who takes from this paper that excessive drinking is not dangerous unless you are dependent is simply not getting the message, which is that drinking too much is bad, period," stated Brewer.