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Abuse of Alcohol

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is alcohol abuse? Alcohol abuse is defined as drinking too much alcohol regularly, or during single occasions (binge drinking). It is a condition where problems occur as you repeatedly drink alcohol too much and too often. Alcohol is made up of a chemical called ethanol which may come from grains or fruits, such as grapes. It is found in beer, wine, liquor, such as vodka and whiskey, and other adult drinks. With alcohol abuse, abnormal body changes develop causing you not to think, act, or talk properly. These changes may also make it hard to function in your day-to-day activities at work, school, and home. Alcohol abuse may lead to alcohol dependence, which is a very serious drinking problem.

What causes alcohol abuse? Alcohol abuse may start early as a teenager and continue as an adult. The exact cause of alcohol abuse is not known. You may start abusing alcohol after physical or emotional stress, such as the loss of a loved one. You may also abuse alcohol to try to relieve your anxiety, depression (deep sadness), loneliness, or tension. The following are other possible causes and conditions which may increase your chance of having alcohol abuse:

• Age: Drinking at an early age.
  
  
• Family history: Having a close family member with a drinking problem.
  
  
• Genetics: The make up of your genes. A gene is a little piece of information that tells your body what to do or what to make.
  
  
• Sex: Men are more likely to become alcohol abusers than women.
  
  
• Other diseases: Other mental disorders, such as an anti-social personality problem or depression.
  
  
• Other substance abuse: Heavy cigarette smoking or use of illegal drugs.

What are the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse? You are usually intoxicated (drunk) with alcohol. The odor of alcohol may often be smelled from your breath. You may often be absent from school or work. You may also have any of the following signs and symptoms:

• Depression or anxiety.
  
  
• Diarrhea (loose, watery stools).
  
  
• History of frequent traumas, injuries, or accidents.
  
  
• Feeling more sleepy than usual, or having a hard time staying awake.
  
  
• Pain in the abdomen (stomach) especially in the epigastric area (above the belly button).
  
  
• Problems with having sex, such as difficulty having an erection.
  
  
• Weight changes.

How is alcohol abuse diagnosed? Your caregiver will take a detailed health history from you. This may include information on how much, how often, and what kind of alcohol you usually drink. He may also want to know if other family members have alcohol abuse or other substance abuse disorder. He may need to learn how well you are doing in school or at work. He may also want to know if you have problems with the law. You may have to take different tests or rating scales to learn more about your drinking problem. Blood, urine, saliva, or breath tests may also be done to check the amount of alcohol in your body.

• You regularly drink alcohol too much and too often.
  
  
• Repeated alcohol use may have caused one or more of the following symptoms within a 12-month period:
  
  
  • You continue alcohol use despite knowing that it causes problems with your relationships and other people.
    
    
  • You drink alcohol despite knowing that it may be dangerous before doing certain activities. These activities may include driving a car or operating a machine.
    
    
  • You are not able to do what you need to at home, school, or work.
    
    
  • You have broken the law and been arrested while or after drinking.
  
  
• You do not have any of the following:
  
  
  • Tolerance: Tolerance means the amount of alcohol you usually drink no longer causes the effect that you want. You may need to increase the amount of alcohol to get the same effects.
    
    
  • Withdrawal: This happens when symptoms such as shaking, throwing up or sweating develop after you stop drinking alcohol, or drink less than usual.

How is alcohol abuse treated? The aim of treatment is to help you learn how to stop or control your drinking problem. Caregivers will also work with your family, friends, classmates, or co-workers so you may know how to cope with your alcohol abuse. For your safety and the safety of others, do not drive or operate machines if you are drunk. Ask someone who is sober to help you go home or take you to the nearest hospital. Alcohol abuse treatment may include any of the following:

• Detoxification: Your caregiver may need to put you in an alcohol detoxification program. This is done to flush out the toxic residues of alcohol present in your body. During detox, medicines are given to help prevent withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking alcohol. As you improve, your caregiver may slowly change how much detox medicines you are given.
  
  
• IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.
  
  
• Medicines: Your caregiver may give you certain medicines to relieve your symptoms. These may include medicines to treat your intoxication, anxiety, or sleeping problems. He may also suggest certain medicines to help you control your alcohol abuse and other related problems. Ask your caregiver for more information about these medicines.
  
  
• Therapies:
  
  
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy: With a therapist, you will learn how to control your actions and improve your behavior. This is done by teaching you how to change your behavior by looking at the results of your actions. You may also need to know how to cope with situations which make you depend on alcohol use.
    
    
  • Motivational enhancement therapy: Motivational enhancement therapy is used to encourage you to stop using alcohol. A therapist or counselor motivates and helps you set goals so you may change your destructive behaviors. By doing these changes, you may stop depending on alcohol and have a better lifestyle.
  
  
• Respiratory support:
  
  
  • Oxygen: You may need extra oxygen to help you breathe easier. It may be given through a plastic mask over your mouth and nose. It may be given through a nasal cannula, or prongs, instead of a mask. A nasal cannula is a pair of short, thin tubes that rest just inside your nose. Tell your caregiver if your nose gets dry or if the mask or prongs bother you. Ask your caregiver before taking off your oxygen. Never smoke or let anyone else smoke in the same room while your oxygen is on. Doing so may cause a fire.
    
    
  • Ventilator: A ventilator is a special machine that can breathe for you if you cannot breathe well on your own. You may have an endotracheal tube (ET tube) in your mouth or nose. A tube called a trach may go into an incision (cut) in the front of your neck. The ET tube or trach is hooked to the ventilator. The ventilator can also give oxygen to you.
  
  
• Other treatments:
  
  
  • Glucose: This medicine may be given to increase the amount of sugar in your blood.
    
    
  • Mineral and vitamin supplements: Mineral and vitamin supplements, such as Vitamin B1 or thiamine, may be given. They may help prevent other alcohol-related conditions that may affect the brain.

Where can I find support and more information? Alcohol abuse may be a life-changing condition for you and your family. Accepting that you have alcohol abuse may be hard. Talk to your caregiver, family, or friends about your feelings. Your caregiver can help you and your family better understand how to support you. You and your family may also want to join a support group. This is a group of people who may also have alcohol abuse. Contact the following for more information:

• Alcoholics Anonymous
  Web Address: http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.
  

• National Clearinghouse on Drug and Alcohol Information
  Phone: 1-800-7296686
  Web Address: www.health.org
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

References and sources