Alcoholism

Also known as alcohol dependence or alcohol addiction, it is an illness characterized by consuming alcoholic beverages that interferes with the performance of social, professional and personal responsibilities. Alcoholism is divided into 2 categories:

1. Alcohol Abuse. Less severe than alcohol dependence, alcoholic abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in at least one of the below symptoms within a 1 year period:

• Role impairment or failure to accomplish work, school or home responsibilities
• Hazardous use of alcohol that increases risk to personal injury, such as driving while intoxicated or operating machinery while under the influence of alcohol
• Legal problems due to alcohol use. These problems are usually recurring, such as repeated arrest for driving while under the influence of alcohol or for physically hurting others while drunk
• Social interpersonal problems due to alcohol. The individual continues to drink alcohol despite ongoing relationship problems caused by and aggravated by the drinking.

2. Alcohol Dependence. The most severe alcohol disorder, alcoholic abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in at least three of the below symptoms within a 1 year period:

• Tolerance or the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to achieve the same “high”
• Alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These signs range from mild to severe, and include rapid heart rate and sweating, restlessness, anxiety or agitation, loss of appetite or nausea, insomnia, shaking, tremors, seizures, and delirium tremens – a state of confusion and visual hallucinations, and blackouts – forgetting what he or she did the day or night before. Withdrawal symptoms usually occur 24-48 hours since the last intake of alcohol and if left untreated, can be fatal.
• Tendency to drink more than one intends. An alcoholic cannot stop drinking once he starts.
• Being unable to avoid drinking or to control the amount of alcohol drank in any given occasion. The individual usually drinks alone or in secret and makes excuses to drink.
• Having large blocks of time devoted to or taken up by alcohol use. People with dependence will spend inordinate amount of time obtaining alcohol, choosing to drink at the expense of other more important tasks and activities
• Continued drinking despite negative effects on and / or jeopardizing one’s health, relationships, school, or job

People who abuse alcohol may display the same signs as one who is dependent on alcohol. However, abusers do not experience the craving or the withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking. In addition, dependence creates tolerance and the inability to control the drinking.

Progression from alcohol abuse to alcoholism varies among individuals.

It is not unnatural for recovering alcoholics to have a relapse. Having “slips” or relapses does not mean the person has failed or he or she cannot achieve long-term sobriety. It is during these critical times that friends and family need to show more of their support and care, and to encourage the individual to stop drinking immediately and seek help.

Signs of a Problem
Also known as CAGE, the four questions below serve as a simple tool to help determine whether or not an individual may have a drinking problem. The letter in CAGE is the first letter of each keyword found in each question.

• Have you ever tried to Cut down on your drinking?
• Have you ever been Annoyed by other people’s comments and criticisms about your drinking?
• Have you ever felt Guilty about your drinking?
• Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning as an “Eye opener” to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

If you answered “yes” to one of the above questions, it is possible that you may have an alcohol problem. If you answered “yes” to more than one question, then it is highly likely that there is a problem. It is important that you call your doctor or your health care provider immediately to determine if you do have a problem, and to plan the best treatment that most suit your needs.

“Sometimes, if my friends don’t want to go out to the bar with me, I find myself drinking alone. I also keep some bottles stashed in the apartment, mostly in my room so that my girlfriend doesn’t find them. It’s kind of annoying when she bugs me about drinking too much. She still hasn’t forgiven me for playing body shots with tequila in the bar. She said I lost it but I can’t really remember much of what happened that night. Anyway, it’s not that I can’t handle my alcohol. If I have work the next day and have a hangover, all I have to do is take a shot of vodka and I’m all set.”