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All You need to know about ALCOHOL ABUSE
Many individuals consume alcohol merely because they like it and find it pleasurable. But, not many of them are aware that alcohol abuse can be harmful to not just themselves but also everyone around them.
This guide offers a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know about alcohol abuse.
Alcohol abuse means drinking in such a way that causes severe and ongoing issues for the drinker. If not handled carefully, alcohol abuse can spiral out of control. People who drink excessively risk failing to achieve their professional, academic, or family obligations.
Clinically Reviewed by: Charee Marquez, LMFT
Review Date: 3/1/2023
Several factors may influence a person’s propensity to misuse alcohol. It is conceivable for someone to start drinking for one reason and gradually develop a dependence on it. The following are just a handful of the more typical reasons for people’s alcohol abuse:
Drinking alcohol to cope with everyday stresses has been related to the development of alcohol abuse later in life. Because alcohol is a depressive and sedative, it produces emotions of pleasure when ingested. Therefore, some individuals use alcohol to withdraw from everyday stress momentarily. However, developing a significant drinking problem is more probable if alcohol is used as a crutch to get through the day or week regularly. Regular alcohol use causes tolerance, requiring more alcohol to provide the same effects.
The death of a close friend or family member may have a wide-ranging impact on a person’s life. When taken in moderation, alcohol may help people cope with stressful circumstances by reducing the intensity of negative sensations. However, even modest alcoholism might lead to major problems in the long term.
Some individuals are naturally very nervous, which causes them to be overly worried all of the time. Alcohol lowers inhibitions, making people feel more at ease in social circumstances. This, however, may lead to addictive behaviors in the future.
Many alcoholics struggle with the notion that they lack sufficient social contact. They mistakenly assume that drinking will make them feel less lonely or make it simpler to approach new people and start discussions. However, the opposite is more frequently than not true.
Many people continually deal with shame and an inferiority complex, which is not only one of the most difficult but also one of the most painful feelings. Although alcohol may momentarily conceal emotions of shame with happy ones, it also encourages many people to engage in dangerous or dumb acts, including alcohol abuse, that may lead them to feel much more embarrassed in the long run.
Almost everyone has suffered some trauma. Although there are many different types of trauma, they all have the same impact on an addict’s mental health: they are devastating. For many people, rehabilitation starts with dealing with prior trauma. But unfortunately, many people ignore the underlying cause of the trauma and try to conceal it with alcohol use.
Heavy alcohol usage has been linked to negative health effects; although some of the effects of alcohol are mild, excessive consumption may have serious and even deadly consequences. Alcohol, for example, might impede your response time, resulting in slower reflexes and worse coordination. This emphasizes the tremendous danger of drinking and driving. Because your impression of speed and distance may change when driving, you and everyone else on the road are in danger.
One of the best choices you’ll ever make is to seek treatment for alcohol abuse. The ideal treatment technique, however, is determined by the individual’s alcohol usage patterns and level of alcohol addiction. Although medicines are constantly changed to match each patient’s unique needs, they normally follow a predictable pattern. Alcohol abuse treatment generally consists of three stages:
Detoxification is the first stage of alcohol abuse treatment. Because of the risk of experiencing severe and excruciating withdrawal symptoms, this phase should be performed under the supervision of medical specialists. Medication is often used to alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol addiction.
Both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs may help with alcohol abuse therapy. Both of these sorts of rehab programs are often available in treatment centers. Inpatient rehabilitation programs are intense treatment options that often last thirty, sixty, or ninety days and necessitate patients living at the facility where they get therapy. However, patients may continue their regular lives in an outpatient rehabilitation program. Discuss your treatment options with your primary care physician so that you can choose the one that will be best suited for you.
Alcohol abuse therapy does not mean the end of attempts to regain health. Long-term sobriety requires ongoing medical treatment and other aid forms, such as meetings with other recovered people and counseling. These will assist you in maintaining your sobriety and keeping you on the path to future happiness and health.
If you desire to minimize your alcohol intake, the following tips may be useful:
Set a limit for yourself and stick to it. You should limit your alcohol consumption to one standard drink per day for women and men over 65 and two standard drinks per day for males under 65. Some people, such as those with impairments or older adults, may find these restrictions prohibitively restrictive. If you talk with your doctor, they may advise you on your next steps.
Make a note of every time you consume alcohol over the next three to four weeks. Details such as what you drank, how much you drank, and where you were are crucial. Consider this in light of your ultimate goals. If you have problems sticking to your plan, talk to your primary care doctor or another qualified health professional.
Choose one or two days each week to avoid alcohol. If you want to see how you’ll feel emotionally and physically without alcohol, try it for a week or a month. Taking a break from alcohol may help you reduce your drinking over time.
Practice saying “no” gracefully to offers. You should not feel obligated to drink simply because everyone else is, nor should you feel obligated to drink as much as everyone else. Keep your distance from anyone who could try to persuade you to drink.
Avoid being with or conversing with people who may entice you to drink. Plan how to manage social situations when alcohol intake is more likely to be troublesome, such as while on vacation or over the holidays. When you’re feeling low, going out for a drink is tempting, but you should resist the urge. Try to find healthy ways to cope with stressful circumstances.
Most individuals must make many efforts to reduce or eliminate their alcohol use before they succeed. You can anticipate failures occasionally, but don’t let them deter you from working toward your ultimate objective.
It may be tough for you to cut down on your alcohol use. You can inform your friends and relatives about your struggle with alcohol abuse. You might also consult your family doctor, a therapist, or a counselor. Taking this precaution will save you from the possibly disastrous effects of alcohol abuse.
At California Prime Recovery, we understand the possible consequences of alcohol abuse. As a result, our comprehensive approach to treating addiction may benefit people struggling with alcohol addiction. Contact us today!
Over time, excessive alcohol use has been connected to a number of health disorders and other major difficulties. Such ailments and concerns include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive issues. Cancers of the breast, mouth, throat, and esophagus; laryngeal cancer; liver cancer; colon cancer; and rectum cancer.
Men binge drink when they consume more than 14 drinks in a week or more than four drinks on any one day. Women put themselves at risk when they consume more than three drinks per day or seven drinks per week.
Several things influence your drinking habits, including your childhood, religious views, family relationships, and occupation. The influence of one’s family is the most important factor in predicting whether or not a person would acquire alcoholism.
The liver: Steatosis, often known as fatty liver, is one of the many liver illnesses that may result from heavy alcohol use. This condition is also connected to a number of other liver illnesses and inflammations.
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