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Alcohol abuse (sometimes known as problem drinking) is the voluntary abuse of alcohol. Alcohol dependency (commonly known as alcoholism) is further down the line and involves the compulsive abuse of alcohol. Abuse is defined as unhealthy drinking, such as drinking too much and too often and alcohol abuse, if left untreated, usually leads to dependency.
It is often difficult for friends and family to detect whether someone has an alcohol problem, either dependancy or abuse, but there are signs. Someone who is an alcoholic or abuses alcohol might be:
- Someone who needs to drink to feel confident when they socialise
- Someone who needs to drink to avoid withdrawal symptoms
- Someone who needs to drink to forget personal problems
- Someone who needs to drink to cope with day-to-day living
- Someone who needs to drink to numb or cope with their emotions
- In fact anyone who feels they need to drink in order to feel "better"
A person who has an alcohol problem, also may not admit it themselves. They will make up excuses and blame others for the problem - this is called denial. Denial is a recognised symptom of alcohol dependancy, but while they are denying the problem, there is no chance of getting help. If you suspect maybe you are one of these people, see whether you recognise yourself in any of the following signs:
- Loss of control:
- Repeated failure to give up or cut down on the alcohol, even though there may be a strong desire to do this
- Using alcohol, every day or most days
- Devious behaviour:
- Lying about, hiding or minimising alcohol use
- Stealing or borrowing money to pay for alcohol
- Mixing with other people who abuse alcohol
- Mental obsessions:
- Life centres around getting more alcohol
- Fear of alcohol supply running out
People abuse alcohol for all sorts of reasons, for example to boost confidence, to forget about problems, to relax, to avoid lonliness or to feel better or good. Everyone’s reasons are different, but they all have in common the fact they are about changing the way that person feels. People usually abuse alcohol to replace good feelings that are missing in their lives, or at least to begin with...
Excessive and unhealthy drinking over a long amount of time causes medical, psychological and social problems. The amount a person drinks and how often, added on to the general health of the person before the alcohol, affects the amount and severity of the negative effects. Some of the medical complications are listed below:
- Blood forming:
- Anemia
- Easily bruising
- Cardiovascular:
- Increased/abnormal heart beat
- Heart failure
- Hemorrhoids
- High blood pressure
- Gastrointestinal:
- Diarrhea
- Gastritis
- Inflammation and/or cancer of the esophagus and/or varicies
- Increased risk of infectious diseases (for example, tuberculosis)
- Liver damage, hepatitis, liver cancer
- Low blood sugar
- Pancreatitis and/or pancreatic cancer
- Ulcers<
- Neurological:
- Confusion
- Coordination difficulties/loss of coordination
- Depression (see depression section)
- Nerve damage
- Psychosis
- Short-term memory problems
- Stroke
- Visual difficulties
Other effects include difficulties in relationships with family, friends and collegues; family breakdowns and divorce/separation; increased accidents; poor work performance and attendance; and aggressive and violent behaviour.
If you suffer from or think you suffer from an alcohol problem, then the most important thing is to seek specialist help (see the Help - Uk Contacts section, under 'alcohol'). If you are dependant on alcohol and have been drinking large amounts, then it is important to seek medical advice before you stop drinking because the physical withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be dangerous and need medical supervision. Then, the rest is up to you. It takes a lot of self-restraint and determination, but it will be worth it, and the support and help you can get will help you to do this.
If you have a friend/relative who you suspect has an alcohol problem, then the best thing you can do is talk to them about it. Try not to pressure them into talking, lecture them or be really negatively opinionated because this will just make them withdraw from you and be less likely to seek help; just let yourself be available. Then suggest they seek specialist help, and medical superivison if they are alcohol dependant and thinking of giving up. Remember that even when they are recieving help, it will still be a struggle and try to offer as much support as possible.
If you have a friend/relative who’s alcohol problem is directly affecting you in a negative way, then maybe you can think about seeking help for yourself. There are support groups for people in similar situations and it is important that you keep yourself safe, even if they can’t themselves safe.
The Centre For Recovery
Alcoholics Anonymous
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If you have, or have a friend/relative who has any type of alcohol problem, please feel free to email and share your story and feelings. I may want to use quotes from your email, so please state whether I have permission to use to your name. Thankyou!