Alcoholism is a disease. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if someone is abusing alcohol or is an alcoholic. Here are some signs to look out for:
- Craving: A strong need to drink.
- Loss of control: The inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion.
- Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
- Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to “get high.”
Most alcoholics need professional help. With the appropriate treatment and support from their families and friends, many are able to get better and lead healthy and productive lives.
Alcohol abuse differs from alcoholism in that it does not include an extremely strong craving for alcohol, loss of control over drinking, or physical dependence.
There are many reasons people drink. Common reasons include:
- Escaping from problems
- Numbing pain
- Easing stress and social pressures
- Being outgoing, lively, and social
- Easing the pain of culture shock, loneliness, or homesickness
Yes! Women are more susceptible to the harmful effects of alcohol than men. Medical problems such as brain, heart, and liver damage happen more quickly in women than in men.
Acculturation has a big impact on drinking habits among immigrants to the United States and successive generations. Comparisons of immigrant women with second and third generation Mexican-Americans show drinking rates of successive generations are almost the same as those of the general population of American women. A study found that Hispanic women who are at least second generation Americans have higher rates of social and personal problems than either foreign-born or first generation Hispanic women.
It’s not easy to know when someone is in the early stages of alcohol abuse because each person shows different signs in different ways. Here are some behaviors to watch for:
- Increased tolerance
- Symptoms of withdrawal
- Loss of control over actions
- Neglect of oneself
- Neglect of child care or household responsibilities
- Failure to follow through with obligations and responsibilities
- Too much time spent drinking
- Dangerous actions resulting from drinking, such as driving while under the influence
The more heavily you drink, the greater the risk for problems at home, at work, with friends, and even with strangers. These problems may include:
- Conflicts, separation, or divorce from your spouse and other family members
- Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse toward family members
- Financial burdens or risk of significant financial losses
- Loss of employment
- Committing or being the victim of violence
- Mental health problems, such as severe depression
- Loss of memory and intellectual ability
There is a serious risk of developing health problems from alcohol abuse. Drinking affects every part of your body. Here are some of the health risks associated with alcohol abuse:
- Alcohol related liver disease (cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, and fatty liver)
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Pancreatitis
Drinking alcohol while you are pregnant can cause birth defects, and children exposed to alcohol before birth can have lifelong learning and behavioral problems. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is caused by drinking during pregnancy. Children born with FAS have severe physical, mental, and behavioral problems.
Free Forum Hosting
Important Announcement
First 