Alcohol abuse based on a pattern of use

Almost everyone reading this article today has had an alcoholic beverage in his or her lifetime. And I'm sure that many have had or continue to have excessive amounts of alcohol intake. Many terms float around when dealing with alcohol related health problems: alcoholism, dependence, abuse, tolerance and withdrawal. Let me take this time to explain these terms, the impact of alcohol on our health and what you can do if you have a problem with alcohol.

Alcoholism is kind of the umbrella term to describe all alcohol-related disease. And this is a disease. Genetic factors play a role in dependence and abuse, the two “branches” of alcoholism. Alcohol abuse is the less serious form of the problem. It can also be called “problem drinking.” Abuse and dependence can be primary diseases or result from people trying to treat other psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, psychosis or even just stress or relationship issues.

Alcohol abuse is a pattern of use that leads to significant impairment in functioning. This includes drinking that causes problems at school, work or home; drinking in situations that are physically hazardous like driving or when on medication, which can be dangerous when mixed with alcohol; recurrent drinking that causes legal problems or continues despite serious social or interpersonal problems.

Alcohol dependence is classified as someone who fits the category for abuse plus has developed tolerance. This is a state where more alcohol is required to obtain the desired effect whether that is to get drunk, calm down or just fall asleep. Alcohol dependence is also classified by withdrawal. When alcohol consumption is stopped, the body goes through physical symptoms. Alcohol is a depressant. Long-term use causes the brain to create more channels to keep the person awake. This is why it takes more quantity to get the same effect. Similarly, when alcohol is taken away, the alcoholic now has all these extra channels that are not being depressed by alcohol. The result is anxiety, tremors, seizures and even coma or death.

Well you might not have any of these serious problems, but let's look into your drinking habits. “Safe” drinking is defined as one drink daily for women, two for men. And just to further clarify, one drink is a 12-ounce beer, 5-ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor. “Problem” drinking is more than seven drinks a week for women or more than three drinks in any one sitting, 14 drinks a week for men or more than four drinks in any one sitting. “Heavy” drinking is more than three to four drinks per day for women or five to six drinks per day for men. Heavy drinking is a problem.

You may have a problem with alcohol if you drink regularly to relax, relieve stress or fall asleep, if you use alcohol to be more comfortable in social situations or to avoid thinking of sad or unpleasant things. Drinking may be a problem if you have ever worried about having enough alcohol for an evening or weekend, if you hide your alcohol use from people, if you can't stop drinking once you start or if you have tried to cut down or stop drinking but have not been able to.

If you feel you have a problem with your alcohol consumption you can do something about it. Talk to your doctor. They can discuss ways to help stop drinking. Your doctor can assess your risk of going through withdrawal if you were to stop drinking. Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or Recovery Counseling Services offer support and counseling for people with problems with alcohol. If you fall into the categories discussed above as someone who abuses alcohol or is a “problem” drinker, get help now to avoid more serious problems with a dangerous drug.

The Citizen, Auburn NY