What is Alcohol Abuse?

Signs Of Alcohol Abuse And Dependence

You could be reading this if you’re concerned about a loved one or friend and want to help. Or you may be seeking guidance yourself as you’re fed up with abusing alcohol and want to kick the habit.

Some people go to great lengths to hide a drinking problem as they feel embarrassed and ashamed. Others don’t think they have a problem and get cross if people interfere.

Here are some signs to look out for:  

• Increased tolerance to drinking. You have to drink more to feel the effects of alcohol.
• You’re drinking to excess and your drinking sessions are lasting longer.
• You drink alcohol to stop the effects of a hangover. It’s become routine for you to drink. You’re becoming used to the feeling that alcohol gives you and don’t like to feel sober.
• When you stop drinking, you get withdrawal symptoms such as shaky hands, sweating, mood swings and feeling sick.
• Drinking in secret, hiding alcohol at home or work.
• You’re thinking about alcohol all the time —where to buy it from and when you can have another drink.
• Work, family life and relationships are going downhill. You’re not doing well at work, you’ve lost your job and you’re arguing with friends and family.
• You’re borrowing, stealing or selling things to get money for alcohol.
• Spending time with groups of heavy drinkers rather than your usual social group.

What Are The Long Term Health Risks?

Everyone knows that large and regular amounts of alcohol isn’t good for their health. After drinking, you may feel shaky, have a headache and feel sick. These are often short-term symptoms, and you may brush them off, thinking they are temporary. But did you know that alcohol creates lasting damage to the body? You often can’t see the damage that alcohol is causing, but here’s a list of conditions and diseases:

• Increased mental health problems. Alcohol intensifies pre-existing conditions such as anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. If you’re already struggling to manage your mental health, excess alcohol can make it worse.
• Alcohol poisoning. If you drink too much, you could collapse, be sick and have a seizure due to excess alcohol in your blood.
• Alcohol makes it difficult for your heart to pump blood around your body, causing heart disease, stroke or high blood pressure.
• Liver disease and liver failure. Excess alcohol prevents your liver from producing new cells to filter toxins such as alcohol from your blood.
• Breast, bowel and mouth cancer. Alcohol contains chemicals that damage DNA contained in cells — excess alcohol often leads to cancer.

What Are My Treatment Options?

The type of treatment you receive depends on how long you’ve been abusing alcohol and how much you drink. Whether you’ve been drinking heavily for years or a few months, both are damaging to your health, and you’ll need treatment to help you kick the habit.

• Staying at an alcohol rehabilitation centre – These specialist units provide a package of support that focuses on helping people get off and stay off alcohol. You’ll complete a supervised alcohol detox, assisted by medical staff who monitor any withdrawal effects. They sometimes prescribe medicines to help you stop drinking.

After your detox, you’ll receive individual counselling such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) to help you get to the roots of your alcohol abuse. CBT also gives you strategies to change your feelings, thoughts and actions. Group counselling is encouraged, as you’ll find inspiration and support from others in the same situation.

• Medicines – Your doctor can prescribe medication that stops alcohol withdrawal symptoms and helps curb urges to drink alcohol. These medicines have proven to be very effective in assisting people in staying away from alcohol.
• Counselling – individual, as part of a group or with your family. Alcohol abuse can damage relationships and cause massive family rifts. Family therapy brings together members of your family that have been affected, helping each other heal and understand each other better.