An illness marked by consumption of alcoholic beverages at a level that
interferes with physical or mental health, and social, family, or
occupational responsibilities. People with alcohol dependence, the most
severe alcohol disorder, usually experience tolerance (a need for markedly
increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or the desired
effect), and withdrawal symptoms when alcohol is discontinued or intake is
decreased. They also spend a great deal of time drinking alcohol, and
obtaining it. Alcohol abusers are "problem drinkers", that is,
they may have legal problems, such as drinking and driving, or binge
drinking (drinking six or more drinks on one occasion). People who are
dependent on or abuse alcohol return to its use despite evidence of
physical or psychological problems, though those with dependence have more
severe problems and a greater compulsion to drink.
Alcohol abuse is one of our
nations great health problems. It can cause irreversible liver damage
as well as serious harm to other vital functions of the human
body
When someone is drinking
excessively, look for these warning signs;
Trouble or difficulties at work, at home,
with money or in their personal relationships...
The situation
will, more than likely, only get worse unless steps are taken to get
the person into treatment and recovery.
What
is Alcoholism?
For most people, alcohol is a pleasant accompaniment to social activities.
Moderate alcohol use--up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per
day for women and older people (a standard drink is one 12-ounce bottle of
beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof
distilled spirits) -- is not harmful for most adults. Nonetheless, a
substantial number of people have serious trouble with their drinking.
Currently, nearly 14 million Americans--4 in every 10 adults--abuse
alcohol or are alcoholic. Several million more adults engage in risky
drinking patterns that could lead to alcohol problems. In addition,
approximately 63 percent of men and women in the United States report that
one or more of their close relatives has a drinking problem.
The consequences of alcohol misuse are serious--in many cases,
life-threatening. Heavy drinking can increase the risk for certain
cancers, especially those of the liver, esophagus, throat, and larynx
(voice box). It can also cause liver cirrhosis, immune system problems,
brain damage, and harm to the fetus during pregnancy. In addition,
drinking increases the risk of death from automobile crashes, recreational
accidents, and on-the-job accidents and also increases the likelihood of
homicide and suicide. In purely economic terms, alcohol-related problems
cost society approximately $200 billion per year. In human terms, the
costs are incalculable.
Alcoholism has little to do with what kind of alcohol one drinks, how long
one has been drinking, or even exactly how much alcohol one consumes. But
it has a great deal to do with a persons uncontrollable need for alcohol.
This description of alcoholism helps us understand why most alcoholics
cant just "use a little willpower" to stop drinking. He or she
is frequently in the grip of a powerful craving for alcohol, a need that
can feel as strong as the need for food or water. While some people are
able to recover without help, the majority of alcoholic individuals need
outside assistance to recover from their disease. With support and
treatment, many individuals are able to stop drinking and rebuild their
lives.
Why Drinking Excessively is Dangerous
Ethyl alcohol or ethanol is the type of alcohol that is found in alcoholic
beverages. Ethyl alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that
affects regions in the brain that control behavior, so naturally people
feel more outgoing and talkative. But, if a person continues to drink, the
alcohol will slow the responses of the brain and nervous system, which
could lead to sleep or unconsciousness. Unlike other tablet-form drugs,
alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Typically, a drink will
reach the bloodstream within 15 minutes of consumption and peak in 30
minutes or so. The rate of alcohol consumption depends on how strong the
drink is, if there is food in the stomach, and the persons weight, size,
sex, age, race, and family history.
Alcohol is a drug and it is addictive. If you drink too much, your body
will build up tolerance, and you will have to drink more and more alcohol
to get drunk or intoxicated. If a person suddenly stops drinking, he or
she can suffer from withdrawal. Heavy drinking affects almost every system
in the body including the nervous, digestive, cardiovascular,
musculoskeletal, and endocrine systems.
The Risks and Complications
Liver
Disease
Cardiovascular
System
Cancer
Brain
Damage
Vitamin
Deficiencies
Digestive
Problems
Reproductive/Sexual
Dysfunction
Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome
Higher
Mortality
Withdrawal
Dangers
How Common is Alcoholism?
Alcohol dependence and abuse are among the most common mental disorders.
The recent National Co morbidity Survey says that 23.5% of Americans may
become dependent or abuse alcohol sometime in their lives. According to
the American Psychiatric Association, 15 million adults and 4 million
children are alcoholics. The first episode of alcohol intoxication usually
occurs in the early to mid-teens and alcohol dependence usually peaks
between the ages of 20 to mid-30s. Alcoholic dependence often follows
family patterns. The risk is 3 to 4 times higher for someone to develop
alcohol dependence if he or she has close relatives who are alcohol
dependent.
Alcohol Use
Definition
Alcohol, specifically ethyl alcohol (ethanol), is produced by fermenting
the starch or sugar in various fruits and grains. Alcoholic beverages
produced by fermentation and distillation include beer (usually about 5%
alcohol), wine (usually 12 to 15% alcohol), and hard liquor (which is
about 45% alcohol). Related topics include: alcohol and diet, alcoholism,
and alcohol withdrawal state.
Archaeological evidence has shown that humans have consumed alcoholic
beverages since prehistoric times. Neolithic tribes are believed to have
consumed berry wine in 6400 B.C. The discovery of the distillation
process, during the twelfth century, made it possible to make drinks with
higher alcohol content (hard liquor) than may be achieved by fermentation
alone.
Second only to caffeine,
alcohol is used by more people and in larger quantities than any other
substance. It has served a variety of purposes as cultures and societies
have evolved over the years. Alcohol use has been touted, casually
accepted, denounced, and unsuccessfully outlawed.
It is estimated that 70% of American high school seniors have consumed
some form of alcoholic beverage within the past month, despite the fact
that the legal age for alcohol use ranges between 18 to 21 years of age
across the country.
Approximately
20% of adolescents may be categorized as "problem drinkers."
This group includes those adolescents who get drunk and/or who experience
negative consequences as a result of their drinking behavior. Such
consequences may include accidents related to alcohol use or trouble with
the law, family members, friends, school, or dates.
Up to 7%
of adolescents are considered alcoholic or dependent on alcohol. This
means that they experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop or
decrease their drinking and drink compulsively despite negative
consequences.
In the
past, men have traditionally drunk more than women, but this is less and
less true.
Alcohol
use is primarily influenced by attitudes developed during childhood and
adolescent years and therefore associated with parental attitudes and
behaviors toward drinking in or outside the home, peer influence, societal
influences, and family relationships.
Recent
data also suggests a genetic predisposition to alcohol use-related
disorders.
EFFECTS
Alcohol
is absorbed quickly, as it does not require digestion by the stomach.
Roughly 90% of alcohol consumed is absorbed by the small intestine.
Absorption rates for alcohol depend on the amount and type of food in the
stomach. For example, high carbohydrate
and high fat
foods decrease absorption rates. A carbonated or effervescent alcoholic
beverage, like champagne for example, will be absorbed faster.
The
effects of alcohol may appear within 10 minutes after consumption and peak
at approximately 40 to 60 minutes. Alcohol remains in the bloodstream
until it is broken down by the liver. If an individual consumes alcohol at
a faster rate than it can be broken down by the liver, the blood alcohol
concentration level rises. When ingesting the same amount of alcohol as a
man, a woman will have a higher blood alcohol concentration because of
gender-related physiological differences.
Each state has its own legal definition for alcohol
intoxication which is defined by blood alcohol concentration. The BAC
is defined as grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood and the legal limit
usually falls between 0.08 and 0.10 in most states. Different levels lead
to different effects:
0.05
produces disinhibition and facilitates social interactions
0.10
results in slurred speech
0.20
is associated with euphoria as well as motor impairment
0.30
produces confusion
0.40
leads to stupor
0.50
is associated with coma
0.60
results in respiratory paralysis and death
As a central
nervous system (CNS) depressant, alcohol depresses the respiratory
(breathing) rate, heart
rate, and the control mechanisms in the brain. The effects of such CNS
depression may include:
impaired
ability to perform complex tasks (such as driving)
reduction
of inhibitions which may lead to embarrassing behavior
If a pregnant
woman drinks, alcohol can adversely affect the developing fetus causing
birth defects or fetal alcohol syndrome (a devastating disorder marked by
mental retardation and behavioral problems).
ASSOCIATED HEALTH RISKS
alcohol-related
motor vehicle accidents
other
accidents including falls, drowning, and fire-related incidents
increased
risk of head and neck, as well as stomach cancers
WHEN
ABUSE BECOMES DEPENDENCE
Individuals
who consume alcohol (and/or live with individuals who consume alcohol) may
want to seek help for themselves or loved ones if the following occur in
association with drinking behavior:
driving
citations or accidents (DUI)
decreased
interest or performance levels at work, school
increased
absenteeism from work, school
increased
social isolation
increased
tolerance to amount of alcohol consumed: more alcohol is needed to
produce the same effect
inability
to decrease or stop alcohol consumption
signs
of withdrawal, such as tremors, appear when attempting to stop
defensive
or hostile about alcohol use
lying
or being secretive about alcohol use
neglecting
appearance
neglecting
proper nutrition
involved
in violence, either as perpetrator or victim
It is also important to
remember that some individuals are at higher risk for alcoholism due to a
family history of alcoholism, stressful lifestyles, peer or cultural
influences, and psychological factors such as anxiety, depression,
or simply low self-esteem.
CALL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF
you
are concerned about your personal alcohol use or that of a family
member.
you
are interested in more information regarding alcohol use, alcohol
abuse, or support groups.
you
are unable to reduce or stop your alcohol consumption, in spite of
attempts to stop drinking.
Other resources include local
Alcoholics Anonymous or Ala-teen groups (see alcoholism
- support group), SMART Recovery, Moderation Management (for problem
drinkers who want to cut down), public or private mental health agencies,
school or work counselors, student or employee health centers, local
hospitals, and some churches.
