According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcoholism is "a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law." It includes the following symptoms:
- Craving: A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
- Impaired control: The inability to limit one's drinking on any given occasion.
- Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
- Tolerance: The need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects.
Is alcohol abuse different from alcoholism?
Alcohol abuse is a pattern of problem drinking that can have major health and societal consequences. Problem drinkers are prone to violence, automobile accidents and other problems. However, alcohol dependence, or alcoholism, refers to a disease that is characterized by abnormal alcohol-seeking behavior, or lack of control over drinking. Alcohol abuse is basically on a continuum with alcoholism, and it is important to note that many of the same effects are experienced.
Does alcohol abuse cause the same problems as alcoholism?
While the problem drinker or alcohol abuser may not be addicted to alcohol, he or she shares many of the same risks to health and life. Quality of life, in particular, is severely diminished. In addition, alcoholics and alcohol abusers alike may bring havoc on the lives of their loved ones, and on others around them.
The NIAAA reports that alcoholism and alcohol abuse are not only a leading cause of death, but also a significant factor in violent crime, teen pregnancy, date rape and certain other types of crime.
What are the effects of alcohol?
Short-term physical effects of alcohol use include:
- Distorted vision, hearing, and coordination
- Altered perceptions and emotions
- Impaired judgment
- Hangovers
Long-term physical effects of heavy alcohol use include:
- Loss of appetite
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Esophagus/Stomach ailments
- Pancreatitis
- Liver cancer
- Skin problems
- Sexual impotence
- Liver damage
- Heart and central/peripheral nervous system damage
- Memory loss
- Anemia
- Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy (Heart Failure)
How can I avoid developing an alcohol problem?
-
Remove temptation. Don't keep alcohol at home.
-
Drink slowly. Sip your drink slowly. Take a break of one hour between drinks. Drink soda, water or juice after an alcoholic drink. Eat food when drinking.
-
Take a break from alcohol. Pick a day each week when you won't drink at all. Then, try to stop drinking for one week. Eventually you'll start to feel better, which will help you stop for good.
-
Learn how to say NO. You do not have to drink when others drink.
-
Stay active. Do something to replace drinking. Go out to eat, see a movie or go for a walk.
-
Get support. Ask family and friends for support. Your doctor may be able help, too. See a therapist who specializes in helping people stop drinking.
-
Watch out for temptation. Stay away from bars and people who drink a lot. Plan ahead of time what you will do to avoid drinking when you are tempted. Do not drink when you are angry or upset.
-
DO NOT GIVE UP! Most people do not cut down or give up drinking all at once. Just like a diet, it is not easy to change. Sometimes you may relapse. If you do not reach your goal the first time, try again. Get support from people who care about you.
Remember that even if you remain sober and regain your health, you're still susceptible to relapse if you're an alcoholic and must continue to avoid all alcoholic beverages. If a relapse occurs, it is important to try to stop drinking again and to get whatever additional support is needed to abstain from drinking. A relapse should not be looked at as a failure, but as a learning experience.
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
|
