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| Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism |
Signs and Symptoms
Alcohol abuses:1. Temporary blackouts or memory loss after heavy drinking.
2. Unusually irritable and aggressive behavior (sometimes).
3. Use of increasing amounts of alcohol to relax, sleep, cheer up , deal with problems, or feel “normal.”
Alcoholism (alcohol addiction):
Same symptoms as those above. Other symptoms can include.
1. Headache, anxiety insomnia, or nausea that develops when you stop drinking.
2. Drinking in the morning.
3. Depression.
4. Trouble maintaining family relationships and holding a job.
5. Drinking alone regularly or drinking in, secret; hiding bottles.
6. Failed attempts to control drinking.
7. Flushed skin and broken capillaries on the face.
8. Trembling hands.
9. Yellowish skin, which may indicate cirrhosis.
What to do now
Alcohol abuse:1. If you suspect that you have an alcohol problem, keep notes of how much you drink over a specified period of time ( a week or more), and don’t misrepresent. If you’re man than you shouldn’t take more than 250 ml alcohol in any particular day, but if you’re a woman you shouldn’t take more than 125 ml. This difference in amount is because of the difference of alcohol metabolization between men and women, according to medical experts. But to keep your health good never drink more than three times a week.
2. Don’t drink on an empty stomach.
3. Never have more than one drink (250ml for men and 125ml for women) in an hour. Liver cannot process more than that an hour.
4. Don’t drink any beer, wine or other alcoholic drinks if you’re pregnant, or trying to get pregnant.
5. Examine your attitude toward your drinking. If you get drunk despite of your best intentions, then take steps to make yourself compel not to take so much. If you react angrily if someone confronts you about your drinking seek professional help.
Alcoholism:
1. If you think that some one you care about is an alcoholic, talk with a doctor or a drug abuse treatment center.
2. If you can’t give up your drinking, acknowledge the problem and resolve to stop drinking on your own. If you don’t succeed in your attempt call on professional help. In most cases, early treatment increases the chance of recovery.
3. Start exercising regularly. Exercise releases chemicals in the brain that provide a sense of well-being.
4. Seek support from your friends and family members who would understand you and keep you away from alcohol.
5. Find new friends who do not drink alcohol. And avoid places and people related with alcoholism.
When to call a doctor
1. If you have symptoms of alcohol abuse or alcoholism.2. If you drink regularly and feel chronic or periodic depression.
3. If you have tried to stop drinking and have experienced withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, headache, nausea or in rare cases, delirium tremens (hallucinations, confusion, shaking).
4. If you can’t give up alcohol and you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
How to prevent it
Alcohol abuse:1. Try not to drink, try to remember that drinking to get rid of your anxiety or depression doesn’t solve anything. Be positive.
2. When it’s social drinking try to substitute other, more healthiful activities.
Alcoholism:
1. Avoid places and events and other people that you associate with drinking alcohol.
2. Tell your family and friends that you are trying to give up alcohol, but can’t just make it. They will help you.
3. Replace your dependence on alcohol with other activities.
4. If you have a relapse, don’t use it as an excuse to give up all your gains. Don’t try to cheat with yourself.
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