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HomeTopicsSubstance AbuseAlcohol Abuse
Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse: |
a disease. Both conditions require treatment.Warning Signs of Alcoholism or Alcohol Abuse
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Why Does Alcoholism Affect Only Certain People?
Millions of people engage in alcohol abuse or risky drinking habits that could develop into alcoholism. Not all of these people move from alcohol abuse into full-blown alcoholism. What makes one person an alcoholic and not another?
Research suggests genetics and family history play a role in the likelihood that alcoholism develops. Having an alcoholic family member greatly increases an individual's chance of also developing alcoholic symptoms.
Researchers are quick to point out, however, that while genetic factors increase the risk of alcoholism, other factors influence whether an individual becomes an alcoholic. They include:
Research suggests genetics and family history play a role in the likelihood that alcoholism develops. Having an alcoholic family member greatly increases an individual's chance of also developing alcoholic symptoms.
Researchers are quick to point out, however, that while genetic factors increase the risk of alcoholism, other factors influence whether an individual becomes an alcoholic. They include:
- cultural views on alcohol and alcoholism
- friends' and families' attitudes towards alcohol
- peer pressure
- personal lifestyle and personality
- availability and affordability of alcohol
- where a person lives.
Treatment of Alcoholism
No cure exists for alcoholism. Treatment helps the alcoholic control alcoholic symptoms, but once alcoholic, a person is always at risk of relapsing into alcoholic behavior, even after years of sobriety. Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive disease, so alcoholism treatment must be ongoing.
Initial alcoholism treatment usually involves detoxification: a four to seven day process designed to safely remove alcohol from the alcoholic's system. Withdrawal symptoms are common during detoxification, and medication may be required to alleviate symptoms.
Combinations of psychological therapy and medication appear to produce better results than either treatment method alone. Alcoholic counseling may take place in individual or group sessions, and includes a number of strategies:
Combinations of psychological therapy and medication appear to produce better results than either treatment method alone. Alcoholic counseling may take place in individual or group sessions, and includes a number of strategies:
- motivation enhancement therapy to strengthen the alcoholic's commitment to treatment and abstinence
- cognitive-behavioral therapy to identify triggers and develop non-alcohol based coping strategies
- twelve-step facilitation programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Medication and Alcoholism Treatment
Medications are available to reduce the severity of alcoholism symptoms and discourage drinking. Antabuse® (disulfiram) has been used to treat alcoholism since 1949. Antabuse does not alleviate alcoholism cravings; instead it reacts with alcohol, making the alcoholic experience severe nausea when alcohol is consumed.
A more recent medication, ReVia® (naltrexone), targets alcoholism symptoms directly. Naltrexone dulls symptoms of craving and compulsion by affecting the brain's reward system. As a result, the alcoholic is less likely to experience severe cravings.
A more recent medication, ReVia® (naltrexone), targets alcoholism symptoms directly. Naltrexone dulls symptoms of craving and compulsion by affecting the brain's reward system. As a result, the alcoholic is less likely to experience severe cravings.
Alcoholics Anonymous and Alcoholism Recovery
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the original 12-step facilitation program, an international association providing recovering alcoholics an opportunity help and support one another's quest for sobriety.
AA has helped thousands of recovering alcoholics, but is not an alcoholism treatment in and of itself. Most members also receive counseling and/or medication as part of their ongoing alcoholism treatment. Nor do all alcoholics identify with AA's methods of support. Such individuals should ask their health care providers for alternative support groups.
AA has helped thousands of recovering alcoholics, but is not an alcoholism treatment in and of itself. Most members also receive counseling and/or medication as part of their ongoing alcoholism treatment. Nor do all alcoholics identify with AA's methods of support. Such individuals should ask their health care providers for alternative support groups.
Relapse and Alcoholism
Alcoholism symptoms can be controlled, but a recovering alcoholic is never cured of alcoholism. Once in treatment, an alcoholic should avoid all types of alcoholic beverages. Cutting back on alcohol does not work. Complete abstinence is necessary.
Under these circumstances, relapses are common. When they occur, the alcoholic must stop drinking as soon as possible and resume treatment. Alcoholics and their families should not let an alcoholic relapse diminish the importance of the sobriety between relapses: Every sober day is a victory.
Under these circumstances, relapses are common. When they occur, the alcoholic must stop drinking as soon as possible and resume treatment. Alcoholics and their families should not let an alcoholic relapse diminish the importance of the sobriety between relapses: Every sober day is a victory.
Alcohol Abuse Treatment
Alcohol abuse is treated somewhat differently from alcoholism. Cutting down on alcohol is an option for alcohol abusers, although often abstinence is the best course. The goal of alcohol abuse treatment is to alter behavior patterns so alcohol no longer adversely effects life and relationships.
Detoxification and medications are not commonly used to treat alcohol abuse. The focus is on counseling, changing established behavior and developing healthy alternatives to alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse treatment sometimes benefits from Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
Detoxification and medications are not commonly used to treat alcohol abuse. The focus is on counseling, changing established behavior and developing healthy alternatives to alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse treatment sometimes benefits from Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
Health Consequences of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
Over 100,000 Americans die from alcohol-related health complications annually. Fifty percent of all traffic deaths in the US are linked to alcohol use.
Alcohol is a sedative that depresses the body's nervous system. Drunk in large quantities, alcohol is a potentially lethal toxin. Excessive alcohol consumption can impair brain functioning to the point of coma and death. Increased tolerance to alcohol increases the risk of alcohol poisoning, as does the binge drinking often associated with alcohol abuse.
Alcoholism and alcohol abuse cause or worsen a long list of health complications:
Alcohol is a sedative that depresses the body's nervous system. Drunk in large quantities, alcohol is a potentially lethal toxin. Excessive alcohol consumption can impair brain functioning to the point of coma and death. Increased tolerance to alcohol increases the risk of alcohol poisoning, as does the binge drinking often associated with alcohol abuse.
Alcoholism and alcohol abuse cause or worsen a long list of health complications:
- alcoholic hepatitis
- cardiomyopathy
- confusion
- dementia
- fatigue
- fetal alcohol syndrome
- gastritis
- heart failure
- hypertension
- impotence
- liver cirrhosis
- low blood sugar levels in diabetics
- menstrual irregularities
- numbness of the hands and feet
- pancreatitis
- short-term memory loss
- stroke
- weakness or paralysis of eye muscles.
In addition, both alcoholism and alcohol abuse increase the risk of serious or fatal accidents. Performance at work or school is adversely affected by excessive alcohol consumption. Alcoholics and people who abuse alcohol have a greater than normal risk of being involved in assaults, domestic violence, murder and suicide.
Resources
American Psychological Association. (nd). Understanding alcohol use disorders and their treatment.
Enoch, M-A. & Goldman, D. (2002, February 1). Problem drinking and alcoholism: Diagnosis and treatment. American Academy of Family Physicians 98(6), 441-449.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2004). Alcoholism.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (revised 2001). Alcoholism: Getting the facts [NIH Publication No. 96-4153].
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (updated 2003). FAQs on alcohol abuse and alcoholism.
Wikipedia. (updated 2005). 12-step program.
Resources
American Psychological Association. (nd). Understanding alcohol use disorders and their treatment.
Enoch, M-A. & Goldman, D. (2002, February 1). Problem drinking and alcoholism: Diagnosis and treatment. American Academy of Family Physicians 98(6), 441-449.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2004). Alcoholism.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (revised 2001). Alcoholism: Getting the facts [NIH Publication No. 96-4153].
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (updated 2003). FAQs on alcohol abuse and alcoholism.
Wikipedia. (updated 2005). 12-step program.
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