What Is ETOH Abuse? ETOH is a medical or scientific abbreviation for ethanol, the substance found in alcoholic beverages. Thus, ETOH abuse refers to abuse of drinking alcohol. The term alcohol abuse is used in everyday language to describe misuse of or dependence on alcohol. However, it is important to understand the difference in the meaning of alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse, both of which are substance use disorders related to what is popularly considered as alcoholism.