Alcohol Abuse – Helpful Information
Do you ever worry about not having enough alcohol for the weekend? Have you ever hide alcohol so no one knows how much you drank? Did you ever have to switch from one kind of alcoholic drink to another because one made you sick? Have you ever tried to get “extra drinks” at a social event? If you answered yes to any of the aforementioned questions, then you’re guilty of alcohol abuse that’s taking over your life! If you have a hard time quitting when you’ve pledged to, if someone has had to talk to you about your drinking or drunken shenanigans, if you suffer memory lapses from drinking, or if you feel guilty and out of control, then you should seek help with recovery from alcoholism.
Can problem drinkers simply cut down on alcohol consumption to combat their abuse of alcohol? The answer to this popular question all depends upon the individual. For the most successful recovery from alcoholism, abstinence is really the only cure. On the other hand, people who have experienced alcohol related problems, but aren’t actually alcohol dependent, may be able to cut back on their own. Before hitting “rock bottom,” it’s recommended that the drinkers stop covering up their alcohol consumption, read information on alcoholism to assess the situation and avoid situations where alcohol will be involved.
Some of the physical symptoms of alcohol abuse emerge over time in some of the more advanced stages. Common symptoms include “the shakes,” nausea, nervousness, anxiety, sweating and depression. Often there is a loss of appetite and the individual needs to drink more and more to sustain a buzz. Cravings may drive the person to drinking alcohol every weekend or even every day. Delirium Tremens (DTs) is the ultimate manifestation of severe alcohol abuse, with the drinker suffering hallucinations, nausea, agitation, confusion, the shakes and panic attacks from alcohol related withdrawal. In 5-15% of these cases, the person may die unless treated by a medical professional.
Perhaps the person with a propensity to engage in alcohol abuse suffered cycles of excess and deprivation as a child, or perhaps trauma and overall unhappiness is causing some people to self-medicate with alcoholic drink. If they’re naturally reckless, impulsive, rebellious, authoritarian or alienated, then perhaps it’s deeply embedded in one’s personality type. Scientists have many theories about what specifically causes one to abuse alcohol. The best treatments are patient-chosen and range from AA meetings, long term alcohol clinics, alcohol drugs, psychotherapy and abstinence.
For help and more information about alcoholism and how to stop drinking, visit Alcoholics Anonymous.
By Health Editor
