ALCOHOLISM AND ALCOHOL ABUSE

ALCOHOLISM AND ALCOHOL ABUSE

Alcoholism (alcohol dependence) and alcohol abuse are two different forms of problem drinking.

Alcoholism is when you have signs of physical addiction to alcohol and continues to drink, despite problems with physical health, mental health, and social, family, or job responsibilities. Alcohol may control your life and relationships.

Alcohol abuse is when your drinking leads to problems, but not physical addiction.

CAUSES

There is no known cause of alcohol abuse or alcoholism. Research suggests that certain genes may increase the risk of alcoholism, but which genes and how they work are not known.

You have an increased risk for alcohol abuse and dependence if you have a parent with alcoholism.

You may also be more likely to abuse alcohol or become dependent if you:

-Are a young adult under peer pressure

-Have depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, or schizophrenia

-Have easy access to alcohol

-Have low self-esteem

-Have problems with relationships

-Live a stressful lifestyle

-Live in a culture alcohol use is more common and accepted

Alcohol abuse is rising. Around 1 out of 6 people in the Africa have a drinking problem.

SYMPTOMS

People who have alcoholism or alcohol abuse often:

-Continue to drink, even when health, work, or family are being harmed

-Drink alone

-Become violent when drinking

-Become hostile when asked about drinking

-Are not able to control drinking -- being unable to stop or reduce alcohol intake

-Make excuses to drink

-Miss work or school, or have a decrease in performance because of drinking

-Stop taking part in activities because of alcohol

-Need to use alcohol on most days to get through the day

Neglect to eat or eat poorly

-Do not care about or ignore how they dress or whether they are clean

-Try to hide alcohol use

-Shake in the morning or after periods when they have not a drink

SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE INCLUDE:

-Memory lapses after heavy drinking

-Needing more and more alcohol to feel "drunk"

-Alcohol withdrawal symptoms when you haven't had a drink for a while

-Alcohol-related illnesses such as alcoholic liver disease

EXAMS AND TESTS

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical and family history, including use of alcohol.

The following questions are used by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to screen for alcohol abuse or dependence:

-Do you ever drive when you have been drinking?

-Do you have to drink more than before to get drunk or feel the desired effect?

-Have you felt that you should cut down on your drinking?

-Have you ever had any blackouts after drinking?

-Have you ever missed work or lost a job because of drinking?

-Is someone in your family worried about your drinking?

TESTS THAT MAY BE DONE INCLUDE:

-Blood alcohol level (this can tell whether someone has recently been drinking alcohol, but it does not necessarily confirm alcoholism)

-Complete blood count (CBC)

-Liver function tests

-Magnesium blood test

TREATMENT

Completely stopping the use of alcohol is the ideal goal of treatment. This is called abstinence. A strong social network and family support are important in achieving this.

Completely stopping and avoiding alcohol is difficult for many people with alcoholism. There will be times when it is difficult. You should aim to avoid drinking for as long as possible.

Some people who abuse alcohol may be able to simply reduce the amount they drink. This is called drinking in moderation. If this method does not work, you should try to quit drinking completely.

DECIDING TO QUIT

Many people with alcohol problems do not recognize when their drinking gets out of hand.

The ideal approach to treatment is to help the person realize how much their alcohol use is harming their life and those around them.

Studies find that more people with alcohol problems opt for treatment when their family members or employers are honest with them about their concerns, and try to help them see that drinking is preventing them from reaching their goals.

Withdrawal from alcohol is best done in a controlled, supervised setting. Complications from withdrawal can be life threatening. 

Your health care provider should order blood and urine tests to check for health problems that are common in people who abuse alcohol.

LONG-TERM SUPPORT

Alcohol recovery or support programs can help you stop drinking completely. These programs usually offer:

Counseling and therapy to discuss alcoholism and its effects and how to control your thoughts and behaviors

Mental health support

Medical care

You may be treated in a special recovery center (inpatient), or you may attend a program while you live at home (outpatient).

Depression or other mood or anxiety disorders may be noticed after you stop drinking. These should be promptly treated.

It is important that the patient has a living situation that supports their need to avoid alcohol. Some programs offer housing options for people with alcoholism or alcohol abuse.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can increase your risk of many health problems, including:

-Bleeding in the digestive tract

-Brain cell damage

-Brain disorder called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

-Cancer of the esophagus, liver, colon, and other areas

-Changes in the menstrual cycle (period)

-Delirium tremens (DT's)

-Dementia and memory loss

-Depression and suicide

-Erectile dysfunction

-Heart damage

-High blood pressure

-Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

-Liver disease, including cirrhosis

-Nerve damage

-Poor nutrition

-Sleeping problems (insomnia)

Alcohol use also increases your risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and violence.

Drinking alcohol while you are pregnant can lead to severe birth defects in the baby.