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   | | Alcohol Use Disorders WHEN DOES DRINKING BECOME A PROBLEM? For many people, drinking alcohol is nothing more than a pleasant way to relax. However, people with alcohol use disorders drink to excess, endangering both themselves and others. Although severe alcohol problems get the most public attention, even mild to moderate problems cause substantial damage to individuals, their families, and the community. Moderate use, however, lies at one end of a continuum that moves through alcohol abuse to alcohol dependence:
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease. The craving that an alcoholic feels for alcohol can be as strong as the need for food or water. An alcoholic will continue to drink despite serious family, health, or legal problems. Like many other diseases, alcoholism is chronic, meaning that it lasts a person's lifetime; it usually follows a predictable course; and it has symptoms. The risk for developing alcoholism is influenced both by a person's genes and by his or her lifestyle. Alcoholism is characterized by the following four symptoms:
Alcoholism is only one type of alcohol problem. Alcohol abuse can be just as harmful. A person can abuse alcohol without actually being an alcoholic--that is, he or she may drink too much and too often but still not be dependent on alcohol. Individuals often hide their drinking or deny they have a problem. How can you tell if you or someone you know is in trouble? Signs of a possible problem include:
Short-term effects include:
Alcohol-related disorders severely impair functioning and health. In addition to the adverse short- term and long-term effects, people suffering with alcohol use disorders are at-risk for other problems. Over 100,000 Americans die from alcohol-related causes each year. Heavy drinkers also markedly increase their chances of dying from automobile accidents, homicide, and suicide. Although men are much more likely than women to develop alcoholism, women's health suffers more, even at lower levels of consumption. Drinking problems also have a very negative impact on mental health. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism can worsen existing conditions such as depression or induce new problems such as serious memory loss, depression, or anxiety. Alcohol problems don't just hurt the drinker. According to National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), more than half of Americans have at least one close relative with a drinking problem. Spouses and children of heavy drinkers are more likely to face family violence; children are more likely to suffer physical and sexual abuse and neglect and to develop psychological problems. Women who drink during pregnancy run a serious risk of damaging their fetuses. Relatives and friends can be killed or injured in alcohol-related accidents and assaults. CAN ALCOHOLISM BE CURED? Although alcoholism can be treated, a cure is not yet available. In other words, even if an alcoholic has been sober for a long time and has regained health, he or she remains susceptible to relapse and must continue to avoid all alcoholic beverages. "Cutting down" on drinking doesn't work; cutting out alcohol is necessary for a successful recovery. However, even individuals who are determined to stay sober may suffer one or several "slips," or relapses, before achieving long-term sobriety. Relapses are very common and do not mean that a person has failed or cannot recover from alcoholism. Keep in mind, too, that each day a recovering alcoholic stays sober prior to a relapse is extremely valuable time, both to the individual and to his or her family. If a relapse occurs, it is very important to try to stop drinking once again and to get whatever additional support you need to abstain from drinking. WHAT IF SOMEONE DOESN'T WANT TO GET HELP? This can be a challenge. An alcoholic can't be forced to get help except under certain circumstances, such as a violent incident that results in court-ordered treatment or medical emergency. But you don't have to wait for someone to "hit rock bottom" to act. Many alcoholism treatment specialists suggest the following steps to help an alcoholic get treatment:
There are several approaches available for treating alcohol problems. No one approach is best for all individuals. 1. Make an appointment with one of our clinicians for a comprehensive professional assessment and to put together a treatment plan for the alcohol use. 2. Make an appointment with your physician to address any physical problems which may be associated with alcohol use. < Back Sources: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. FAQ'S for the General Public. Retrieved on June 22, 2006, from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/FAQs/General-English/default.htm. | |
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