Alcohol Abuse/Addiction
Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are due to many interconnected factors, including genetics, how you were raised, your social environment, and your emotional health. Some racial groups, such as American Indians and Native Alaskans, are more at risk than others of developing alcohol addiction. People who have a family history of alcoholism or who associate closely with heavy drinkers are more likely to develop drinking problems. Finally, those who suffer from a mental health problem such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder are also particularly at risk, because alcohol may be used to self-medicate.
Since drinking is so common in many cultures and the effects vary so widely from person to person, it’s not always easy to figure out where the line is between social drinking and problem drinking. The bottom line is how alcohol affects you. If your drinking is causing problems in your life, you have a drinking problem.
Signs and symptoms of alcohol abuseSubstance abuse experts make a distinction between alcohol abuse and alcoholism (also called alcohol dependence). Unlike alcoholics, alcohol abusers have some ability to set limits on their drinking. However, their alcohol use is still self-destructive and dangerous to themselves or others.
Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse include:
Signs and symptoms of alcoholism (alcohol dependence)Alcoholism is the most severe form of problem drinking. Alcoholism involves all the symptoms of alcohol abuse, but it also involves another element: physical dependence on alcohol. If you rely on alcohol to function or feel physically compelled to drink, you’re an alcoholic.
Tolerance: The 1st major warning sign of alcoholismDo you have to drink a lot more than you used to in order to get buzzed or to feel relaxed? Can you drink more than other people without getting drunk? These are signs of tolerance, which can be an early warning sign of alcoholism. Tolerance means that, over time, you need more and more alcohol to feel the same effects.
Withdrawal: The 2nd major warning sign of alcoholismDo you need a drink to steady the shakes in the morning? Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms is a sign of alcoholism and a huge red flag. When you drink heavily, your body gets used to the alcohol and experiences withdrawal symptoms if it’s taken away. These include:
Other signs and symptoms of alcoholism (alcohol dependence)
Since drinking is so common in many cultures and the effects vary so widely from person to person, it’s not always easy to figure out where the line is between social drinking and problem drinking. The bottom line is how alcohol affects you. If your drinking is causing problems in your life, you have a drinking problem.
Signs and symptoms of alcohol abuseSubstance abuse experts make a distinction between alcohol abuse and alcoholism (also called alcohol dependence). Unlike alcoholics, alcohol abusers have some ability to set limits on their drinking. However, their alcohol use is still self-destructive and dangerous to themselves or others.
Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse include:
- Repeatedly neglecting your responsibilities at home, work, or school because of your drinking. For example, performing poorly at work, flunking classes, neglecting your kids, or skipping out on commitments because you’re hung over.
- Using alcohol in situations where it’s physically dangerous, such as drinking and driving, operating machinery while intoxicated, or mixing alcohol with prescription medication against doctor’s orders.
- Experiencing repeated legal problems on account of your drinking. For example, getting arrested for driving under the influence or for drunk and disorderly conduct.
- Continuing to drink even though your alcohol use is causing problems in your relationships.Getting drunk with your buddies, for example, even though you know your wife will be very upset, or fighting with your family because they dislike how you act when you drink.
- Drinking as a way to relax or de-stress. Many drinking problems start when people use alcohol to self-soothe and relieve stress. Getting drunk after every stressful day, for example, or reaching for a bottle every time you have an argument with your spouse or boss.
Signs and symptoms of alcoholism (alcohol dependence)Alcoholism is the most severe form of problem drinking. Alcoholism involves all the symptoms of alcohol abuse, but it also involves another element: physical dependence on alcohol. If you rely on alcohol to function or feel physically compelled to drink, you’re an alcoholic.
Tolerance: The 1st major warning sign of alcoholismDo you have to drink a lot more than you used to in order to get buzzed or to feel relaxed? Can you drink more than other people without getting drunk? These are signs of tolerance, which can be an early warning sign of alcoholism. Tolerance means that, over time, you need more and more alcohol to feel the same effects.
Withdrawal: The 2nd major warning sign of alcoholismDo you need a drink to steady the shakes in the morning? Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms is a sign of alcoholism and a huge red flag. When you drink heavily, your body gets used to the alcohol and experiences withdrawal symptoms if it’s taken away. These include:
- Anxiety or jumpiness
- Shakiness or trembling
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
Other signs and symptoms of alcoholism (alcohol dependence)
- You’ve lost control over your drinking. You often drink more alcohol than you wanted to, for longer than you intended, or despite telling yourself you wouldn’t.
- You want to quit drinking, but you can’t. You have a persistent desire to cut down or stop your alcohol use, but your efforts to quit have been unsuccessful.
- You have given up other activities because of alcohol. You’re spending less time on activities that used to be important to you (hanging out with family and friends, going to the gym, pursuing your hobbies) because of your alcohol use.
- Alcohol takes up a great deal of your energy and focus. You spend a lot of time drinking, thinking about it, or recovering from its effects. You have few if any interests or social involvements that don’t revolve around drinking.
- You drink even though you know it’s causing problems. For example, you recognize that your alcohol use is damaging your marriage, making your depression worse, or causing health problems, but you continue to drink anyway.
Effects of Alcohol
Nervous system effects
Short Term:
-lowers nerve and brain tissue functioning
-slows reaction time
-impairs judgment
-impairs motor coordination
Decreases vital functions
Long Term:
-shrinkage in brain size and weight
Cardiovascular system effects
Short Term:
-slowed breathing
-decreased pulse rate
-lowered blood pressure
-irregular heartbeat
-loss of heart rhythm
Long Term:
-higher systolic blood pressure
-high blood pressure
-increased heart rate
-reduced risk of coronary artery disease (when only drinking no more than 2 drinks a day)
Urinary and Gastrointestinal System Effects
Short Term:
-increased urinary output
-slower brain and nervous system activity
-headache
-sensory overload
-irritates and inflames gastrointestinal system
-indigestion
-heartburn
-nausea
Other Short Term affects:
-sexual impairment
-hangover
Liver Effects
Long Term:
-fatty liver
-alcoholic hepatitis
-cirrhosis
Other Long Term Effects:
-cancers of the esophagus, stomach, mouth, tongue, liver and sometimes breast cancer
-chronic inflammation of the pancreas
-inhibits enzyme production
-inhibits absorption of nutrients
-blocks absorption of calcium
-osteoporosis
Short Term:
-lowers nerve and brain tissue functioning
-slows reaction time
-impairs judgment
-impairs motor coordination
Decreases vital functions
Long Term:
-shrinkage in brain size and weight
Cardiovascular system effects
Short Term:
-slowed breathing
-decreased pulse rate
-lowered blood pressure
-irregular heartbeat
-loss of heart rhythm
Long Term:
-higher systolic blood pressure
-high blood pressure
-increased heart rate
-reduced risk of coronary artery disease (when only drinking no more than 2 drinks a day)
Urinary and Gastrointestinal System Effects
Short Term:
-increased urinary output
-slower brain and nervous system activity
-headache
-sensory overload
-irritates and inflames gastrointestinal system
-indigestion
-heartburn
-nausea
Other Short Term affects:
-sexual impairment
-hangover
Liver Effects
Long Term:
-fatty liver
-alcoholic hepatitis
-cirrhosis
Other Long Term Effects:
-cancers of the esophagus, stomach, mouth, tongue, liver and sometimes breast cancer
-chronic inflammation of the pancreas
-inhibits enzyme production
-inhibits absorption of nutrients
-blocks absorption of calcium
-osteoporosis
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Overcoming an addiction to alcohol can be a long and bumpy road. At times, it may even feel impossible. But it’s not. If you’re ready to stop drinking and willing to get the support you need, you can recover from alcoholism and alcohol abuse—no matter how bad the addiction or how powerless you feel. You don’t have to wait until you hit rock bottom; you can make a change at any time. Read to get started on the road to recovery today.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
Alcohol treatment and recovery : Commit to stop drinking
Most people with alcohol problems do not decide to make a big change out of the blue or transform their drinking habits overnight. Recovery is usually a more gradual process. In the early stages of change, denial is a huge obstacle. Even after admitting you have a drinking problem, you may make excuses and drag your feet. It’s important to acknowledge your ambivalence about stopping drinking. If you’re not sure if you’re ready to change or you’re struggling with the decision, it can help to think about the costs and benefits of each choice.
Evaluating the costs and benefits of drinkingMake a table like the one below, weighing the costs and benefits of drinking to the costs and benefits of quitting
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Commit to stop drinking
- Set goals and prepare for change
- Get sober safely
- Find new meaning in life
- Plan for triggers and cravings
- Ask for help and support
- Get started on treatment
Alcohol treatment and recovery : Commit to stop drinking
Most people with alcohol problems do not decide to make a big change out of the blue or transform their drinking habits overnight. Recovery is usually a more gradual process. In the early stages of change, denial is a huge obstacle. Even after admitting you have a drinking problem, you may make excuses and drag your feet. It’s important to acknowledge your ambivalence about stopping drinking. If you’re not sure if you’re ready to change or you’re struggling with the decision, it can help to think about the costs and benefits of each choice.
Evaluating the costs and benefits of drinkingMake a table like the one below, weighing the costs and benefits of drinking to the costs and benefits of quitting