Drug Abuse
Drug Abuse
A chronic disease characterised by uncontrolled drinking and preoccupation with alcohol.
Alcoholism is the inability to control drinking due to both a physical and emotional dependence on alcohol.
Symptoms include repeated alcohol consumption despite related legal and health issues. Those with alcoholism may begin each day with a drink, feel guilty about their drinking and have the desire to cut down on the amount of drinking.
Treatment involves counselling by a healthcare professional. A detoxification programme in a hospital or medical facility is an option for those who need additional assistance. Medications are available that reduce the desire to drink.
Alcoholism is the inability to control drinking due to both a physical and emotional dependence on alcohol.
Symptoms include repeated alcohol consumption despite related legal and health issues. Those with alcoholism may begin each day with a drink, feel guilty about their drinking and have the desire to cut down on the amount of drinking.
Treatment involves counselling by a healthcare professional. A detoxification programme in a hospital or medical facility is an option for those who need additional assistance. Medications are available that reduce the desire to drink.
Excessive alcohol use can damage all organ systems, but it particularly affects the brain, heart, liver, pancreas and immune system. Alcoholism can result in mental illness, delirium liver cirrhosis and increased cancer risk. Drinking during pregnancy can result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Women are generally more sensitive than men to the harmful effects of alcohol, primarily due to their smaller body weight, lower capacity to metabolize alcohol, and higher proportion of body fat. In a small number of individuals, prolonged, severe misuse ultimately leads to frank dementia.
Environmental factors and genetics are two factors affecting risk for alcoholism, with about half the risk attributed to each. Someone with a parent or sibling with alcoholism is three to four times more likely to become an alcoholic themselves, but only a minority of them do. Environmental factors include social, cultural and behavioral influences. High stress levels and anxiety, as well as alcohol's inexpensive cost and easy accessibility, increase the risk. People may continue to drink partly to prevent or improve symptoms of withdrawal. After a person stops drinking alcohol, they may experience a low level of withdrawal lasting for months. Medically, alcoholism is considered both a physical and mental illness. Questionnaires are usually used to detect possible alcoholism. Further information is then collected to confirm the diagnosis.
Alcohol Misuse
Alcoholism is characterised by an increased tolerance to alcohol – which means that an individual can consume more alcohol – and physical dependence on alcohol, which makes it hard for an individual to control their consumption. The physical dependency caused by alcohol can lead to an affected individual having a very strong urge to drink alcohol. These characteristics play a role in decreasing an alcoholic's ability to stop drinking. Alcoholism can have adverse effects on mental health, contributing to psychiatric disorders and increasing the risk of suicide. A depressed mood is a common symptom of heavy alcohol drinkers.
Warning signs
Warning signs of alcoholism include the consumption of increasing amounts of alcohol and frequent intoxication, preoccupation with drinking to the exclusion of other activities, promises to quit drinking and failure to keep those promises, the inability to remember what was said or done while drinking (colloquially known as "blackouts"), personality changes associated with drinking, denial or the making of excuses for drinking, the refusal to admit excessive drinking, dysfunction or other problems at work or school, the loss of interest in personal appearance or hygiene, marital and economic problems, and the complaint of poor health, with loss of appetite, respiratory infections, or increased anxiety.
The rate of alcohol and drug use is only rising as many are still struggling to cope with isolation, stress and the other impacts of COVID-19. Online alcohol sales reported a 243% increase just two weeks after the nationwide quarantine began. In a recent article published in Annals of Internal Medicine, Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse, stated that persons who are isolated and stressed—as much of the population is during a pandemic—frequently turn to substances to alleviate their negative feelings. Additionally, those in recovery will face stresses and heightened urges to use substances and will be at a greater risk for relapse.
This spike in alcohol sales and overall drinking across the nation has also increased the number of those participating in binge drinking. Studies show than one in six US adults binge drinks about four times a month, consuming about seven drinks per binge. A more in-depth look by NIAAA reveals binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels to 0.08 g/dL. This typically occurs after four drinks for women and five drinks for men—in about two hours.
Consistent events of binge drinking lead many to experience Interrupted Memories, or Alcohol-Induced Blackouts. Alcohol-Induced Blackouts are defined as gaps in a person’s memory for events that occurred while they were intoxicated which often happens when a person drinks enough alcohol (achieving a BAC of .16, two times the legal limit) to temporarily block the transfer of memories from short-term to long-term storage—known as memory consolidation—in a brain area called the hippocampus.
More importantly, the use and overuse of alcohol and drugs can impact individuals differently. These individuals are known as “special populations” – people who face particular risks from drinking alcohol based on personal characteristics such as age or gender. Special populations also include certain ethnic and racial minorities who can experience more negative consequences of illness generally, and who may share certain drinking patterns.
Special populations include: persons 21 years or younger, college-age young adults, senior citizens, women, and ethnic and racial minorities.
Another issue that has been especially pressing during COVID-19 is co-occurring disorders. These consist of problems that often affect people who also suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence. These can include psychiatric problems like anxiety or depression, abuse of other drugs, or other illnesses such as HIV/AIDS.
Causes of Alcoholism
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) can stem from different factors. After a long period of drinking, your brain begins to rely on alcohol to produce certain chemicals. This is what makes it difficult for heavy drinkers to quit and can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Several of the most common causes of alcoholism are: biological factors, environmental factors, social factors and psychological factors. Here’s a breakdown of how each one plays a role in the development of alcohol abuse.
Biological Factors
Research has shown a close link between alcoholism and biological factors, particularly genetics and physiology. While some individuals can limit the amount of alcohol they consume, others feel a strong impulse to keep going. For some, alcohol gives off feelings of pleasure, encouraging the brain to repeat the behavior. Repetitive behavior like this can make you more vulnerable to developing alcoholism.
There are also certain chemicals in the brain that can make you more susceptible to alcohol abuse. For instance, scientists have indicated that alcohol dependence may be associated with up to 51 genes in various chromosome regions. If these genes are passed down through generations, family members are much more prone to developing drinking problems.
Psychological Factors
Different psychological factors may increase the chances of heavy drinking. Every person handles situations in their own unique way. However, how you cope with these feelings can impact certain behavioral traits. For example, people with high stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions are more vulnerable to developing alcoholism. In these types of circumstances, alcohol is often used to suppress feelings and relieve the symptoms of psychological disorders.
How To Prevent Alcohol Abuse
Whatever the reason, there are preventative measures you can put in place to help you avoid alcohol abuse and the risk of developing alcohol addiction.
Don’t Keep Alcohol At Home
If you don’t have alcohol at home, you can’t drink it. Being unable to simply go to the cupboard or the fridge to grab a drink can keep you from developing a pattern of alcohol use that can easily develop into abuse or addiction.
Restricting access to alcohol at home can also work to prevent you from emotional drinking or boredom. Only drinking in social settings helps you maintain some accountability as well.
Know Your Drinking Limits
Often, people try to set their own limits with alcohol consumption. However, the limits of alcohol use and abuse are clearly outlined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
Low-risk drinking for women means no more than seven drinks per week, and no more than three in one day. For men, no more than 14 drinks per week, no more than four per day. The suggested amount, if a person chooses to drink is one per day for women, two for men.
These recommendations are not for people who already have an alcohol use disorder or have completed a substance abuse program. These recommendations may also vary for people who have health problems or different body types.
There is often the argument that no one drinks that little, however the NIAAA has found that 35 percent of people do not drink at all, 37 percent always drink at low-risk levels, and only 28 percent are heavy drinkers.
Surround Yourself With Non-Drinkers
Going out with co-workers to have multiple drinks during the week, and then also going out with friends on the weekend and drinking more than 3-4 drinks places you at a 50/50 chance for developing an alcohol use disorder.
There are people you can spend time with and places you can go where alcohol is not the focal point. If you spend time with people who don’t drink, or don’t drink often, you will be less likely to drink as well.
Socializing does not always mean going to the bar, playing drinking games, doing shots, or partying. Making friends who engage in a variety of activities without drinking can help you control or avoid drinking altogether.
Know The Consequences Of Alcohol Abuse
Sometimes, knowing what excessive drinking can do to you or your body can keep you from drinking to excess.
Excessive drinking can lead to a number of health issues, such as:
- cancer
- liver disease
- stroke
- depression
- heart disease
- sleep disorders
- high blood pressure
- birth defects
Heavy drinking can also result in legal issues, financial troubles, employment problems, and overall displeasure in daily life. Resuming normal daily functioning after a night of heavy drinking can be problematic, especially with a hangover.
Tell Loved Ones Your Concerns
If you believe your drinking to be problematic, or if you simply would like to cut down on the amount of alcohol you consume, tell someone. Putting those intentions out in
the world can help you be more accountable.
Additionally, having the support of those who care about you can also help you maintain your goals.
Overall, it is up to you to make the changes you feel should be made in your own life. Surrounding yourself with people who support those changes will help you stay focused on the life you want.
MADE BY- ANISH MAHAWAR
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