Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

What Is Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Alcohol abuse is excessive or problematic alcohol consumption. It can progress to alcoholism.

What Causes Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Several factors can contribute to alcohol abuse and alcoholism, including:

Genes
Brain chemicals that may be different than normal
Social pressure
Emotional stress
Pain
Depression and other mental health problems
Problem drinking behaviors learned from family or friends

Risk Factors For Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

These factors increase your chance of developing alcoholism. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:

Sex: male
Family members who abuse alcohol (especially men whose fathers or brothers are alcoholic)
Starting to use alcohol at an early age (younger than 14)
Using illicit Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction or non-medical use of prescription drugs
Peer pressure
Easy access to alcoholic beverages
Psychiatric disorders, such as depression or Anxiety
Tobacco Use Disorder

Diagnosing Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Doctors ask a series of questions to assess possible alcohol-related problems, including:

Have you tried to reduce your drinking?
Have you felt bad about drinking?
Have you been annoyed by another person’s criticism of your drinking?
Do you drink in the morning to steady your nerves or cure a hangover?
Do you have problems with a job, your family, or the law?
Do you drive under the influence of alcohol?

Blood tests may be done to:

Look at the size of your red blood cells and to check for a substance called carbohydrate-deficient transferrin
Check for alcohol-related liver disease and other health problems

Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

It is common to deny an alcohol problem. Alcohol abuse can occur without physical dependence.

Alcohol abuse symptoms include:

Repeated work, school, or home problems due to drinking
Risking physical safety
Recurring trouble with the law, often including drinking and driving
Continuing to drink despite alcohol-related difficulties

Symptoms of alcoholism include:

Craving a drink
Unable to stop or limit drinking
Needing greater amounts of alcohol to feel the same effect
Giving up activities in order to drink or recover from alcohol
Drinking that continues even when it causes or worsens health problems
Wanting to stop or reduce drinking, but not being able
Withdrawal symptoms if alcohol is stopped include:
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Anxiety
- Increased blood pressure
- Seizures ( Delirium Tremens [DTs])

The brain, nervous system, heart, liver, stomach, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas can all be damaged by alcoholism.

Some of the Organs Damaged in Alcohol Abuse

Medication And Treatment

Treatment for alcohol abuse or dependence is aimed at teaching patients how to manage the disease. Most professionals believe that this means giving up alcohol completely and permanently.

The first and most important step is recognizing a problem exists. Successful treatment depends on your desire to change. Your doctor can help you withdraw from alcohol safely. This could require hospitalization in a detoxification center. They will carefully monitor you for side effects. You may need medication while you are undergoing detoxification.

Treatments include:

Medications

Drugs can help relieve some of the symptoms of withdrawal and help prevent relapse. The doctor may prescribe medication to reduce cravings for alcohol.

Medications used to treat alcoholism and to try to prevent drinking include:

Naltrexone (ReVia)-blocks the high that makes you crave alcohol
Disulfiram (Antabuse)-makes you very sick if you drink alcohol
Acamprosate (Campral)-reduces your craving for alcohol

A study showed that an anticonvulsant drug, topiramate (Topamax), may reduce alcohol dependence.

Education and Counseling

Therapy helps you to recognize alcohol’s dangers. Education raises awareness of underlying issues and lifestyles that promote drinking. In therapy, you work to improve coping skills and learn other ways of dealing with stress or pain.

Mentoring and Community Help

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) helps many people to stop drinking and stay sober. Members meet regularly and support each other. Your family members may also benefit from attending meetings of Al-Anon. Living with an alcoholic can be a painful, stressful situation.

Here are some general statistics on treatment outcomes of individuals one year after attempting to stop drinking: