Alcoholism Treatment

The most commonly consumed intoxicating substance in America is alcohol. People over 21 can legally drink, and most people who drink are not addicted. However, there are a variety of problems and risks associated with alcohol consumption.

Risky Drinking

Drinking excessively or heavy, and even binge drinking, is considered risky. Binge drinking refers to having four or more drinks in a single occasion for women and five or more for men. Drinking alcohol while pregnant or taking prescription medication (e.g. certain sedatives) is considered risky. Recognizing and dealing with risky drinking behaviors can help prevent alcohol abuse and dependence.

Alcohol Abuse

A medical condition known as alcohol abuse refers to regular consumption of alcohol, despite the adverse consequences. If an individual displays any of the following signs, it is considered to be alcohol abuse.

• Recurrent alcohol abuse can lead to failure to meet obligations at home, school, or work.
• Recurrent alcohol consumption in situations that are physically hazardous (e.g. driving a vehicle if impaired by alcohol)
• Recurrent legal issues related to alcohol
• Persistent or recurrent alcohol use, despite persistent or exacerbated social or interpersonal problems

Alcohol dependence

Alcohol dependence is also known as alcoholism, or alcohol addiction. It is a chronic condition with identifiable symptoms. If a person experiences more than three of these symptoms in a 12-month span, it is considered to be alcohol dependent.

• Tolerance and need for more alcohol to intoxicate.
• Drinking more or for a longer time than intended.
• Persistent desire to reduce or control alcohol consumption.
• Spending too much time on alcohol addiction, whether it’s for obtaining, using, or recovering from it.
• Alcohol use can lead to the cessation or reduction of social, occupational, or recreational activities.
• Knowing that you have persistent or recurring psychological or physical problems that are caused or exacerbated through alcohol use is not a reason to continue using.

The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, or the occurrence physical symptoms due to heavy alcohol consumption, may include:

• Tremors
• Sweating
• High pulse rate
• Nausea or vomiting
• Insomnia
• Depression or anxiety
• Seizures
• Stroke or heart attack
• A severe withdrawal can cause transient hallucinations and grand mal seizures.

Factors that may contribute to alcohol dependence

Both genetic and environmental factors can influence alcohol dependence. People with a family history that has been affected by alcohol dependence are more likely to develop it in their lifetime than those who have not. Researchers have also identified genes that can influence the susceptibility of people to alcohol dependence. However, genetic influences alone cannot predict whether or not a person will become dependent on alcohol.

Environment factors play an important role as well. A dependent parent may have a child who is genetically predisposed for alcohol dependence. However, they can prevent it from happening by providing education, support, and self-monitoring. Neurochemical changes in the brain that result from repeated alcohol abuse can lead to neurological substance dependence.

It is crucial to prevent teens and youth from drinking. Not only is it illegal for anyone younger than 21 years old to drink alcohol, but postponing the onset decreases the chance of developing dependency later in life.

Around 40% of people who begin drinking after age 15 develop alcohol dependence. This is compared to approximately 10% for those who start drinking after age 21. There are several factors that can be used to discourage or delay alcohol consumption. The amount of alcohol teens consume, their frequency, and how often they drink is directly related to parental support, communication, and monitoring. Teenage drinking behavior can also be affected by the acceptance of or rejection of alcohol by their friends and whether they drink.

Alcohol abuse and its effects

Alcohol abuse of any severity or degree can cause disruption to family and social relationships, as well as psychological problems, violence, aggression, and legal problems. An increased risk of injury from alcohol abuse includes those caused by automobile crashes, falls, and fires. The risk of injury increases with alcohol intake, and it starts to increase at low levels. Unsafe sex practices can also lead to increased rates of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted illnesses.

A higher level of alcohol abuse is associated with greater health risks, including:

• A weak immune system
• Tuberculosis,
• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Cancer
• Neuropathy
• Kidney disease
• Inflammatory GI tract

Alcohol Addiction Treatment and Detection

Early intervention and prevention of alcohol problems can help to minimize the negative consequences and associated economic and social costs.

Screening – Alcohol screening aims to identify risky drinkers as well as those who have symptoms of alcohol dependence or abuse. Screening tools range from brief self-administered questionnaires to clinician-administered interviews. It is important to screen for co-occurring mental disorders in order to plan an effective intervention.

Assessment – A comprehensive assessment gives a description of the alcohol problem and its severity. To find the best solutions, it is important to consider each individual’s unique circumstances and strengths. Short interventions are most beneficial for those who have been identified as high-risk drinkers (those with mild to moderate alcohol problems). These brief interventions are usually administered by a primary healthcare provider and aim to reduce alcohol consumption and decrease the likelihood of developing alcohol-related issues.

Alcohol Dependence Treatment -Brief interventions may not be sufficient for those with alcohol dependence. These people benefit from more intensive addiction treatment such as supervised detox or sober living programs. This can include pharmacological, psychological, and social services on an inpatient, or outpatient, depending on their needs.