Alcohol AbuseAlcohol Abuse

AlcoholismAlcoholism

Also known as alcohol dependencyAlso known as alcohol dependencyAlcoholism is drinking alcoholic beverages Alcoholism is drinking alcoholic beverages

at a level that interferes with physical at a level that interferes with physical health, mental health, family, social, or job health, mental health, family, social, or job responsibilitiesresponsibilities

What is Alcohol?What is Alcohol?

Alcoholism is a diseaseAlcoholism is a diseaseThe craving that an alcoholic feels for The craving that an alcoholic feels for

alcohol is as strong as the need for food alcohol is as strong as the need for food and waterand water

Like many other diseases, alcoholism is Like many other diseases, alcoholism is chronic, meaning it usually lasts a persons chronic, meaning it usually lasts a persons lifetimelifetime

It follows a pretty predictable course and It follows a pretty predictable course and its symptoms that is life ruiningits symptoms that is life ruining

The risks of developing alcoholism is a person’s The risks of developing alcoholism is a person’s genes and life stylegenes and life style

Research shows that developing alcoholism Research shows that developing alcoholism does indeed run in familiesdoes indeed run in families

Just because alcoholism runs in family doesn’t Just because alcoholism runs in family doesn’t necessarily mean a child of an alcoholic parentnecessarily mean a child of an alcoholic parent

Some people develop alcoholism even though Some people develop alcoholism even though there are no alcoholism in the familythere are no alcoholism in the family

Symptoms of AlcoholismSymptoms of Alcoholism

ConfusionConfusionAbdominal painAbdominal painDrinking aloneDrinking aloneEpisodes of violence with drinkingEpisodes of violence with drinkingHostility when confronted about drinkingHostility when confronted about drinkingLack of control while drinking – being Lack of control while drinking – being

unable to stop or limit your intakeunable to stop or limit your intakeMaking excuses to drinkMaking excuses to drink

Symptoms of AlcoholismSymptoms of Alcoholism

Nausea and vomitingNausea and vomitingNeed for daily or regular use of alcohol to Need for daily or regular use of alcohol to

functionfunctionNeglecting to eatNeglecting to eatNot caring for physical appearance Not caring for physical appearance Numbness or tinglingNumbness or tinglingSecretive behavior to hide alcohol useSecretive behavior to hide alcohol useShaking in the morningShaking in the morning

If I’m not an alcoholic I don’t If I’m not an alcoholic I don’t have a problem?have a problem?

This is not exactly trueThis is not exactly true Alcohol abuse can be just as harmfulAlcohol abuse can be just as harmful A person can drink too much and too often A person can drink too much and too often

but not be dependent on alcoholbut not be dependent on alcohol some incidents of alcohol abuse can be not some incidents of alcohol abuse can be not

being able to meet work, friend or family being able to meet work, friend or family responsibility, drunk driving crashes or responsibility, drunk driving crashes or arrests, drinking related medical conditionsarrests, drinking related medical conditions

How Do I know if I have a How Do I know if I have a problem?problem?

Have you ever felt you should cut down on Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?your drinking?

Have people annoyed you by criticized Have people annoyed you by criticized your drinking?your drinking?

Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?drinking?

Have you ever had a drink first thing in the Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to rid your body of a hang over?morning to rid your body of a hang over?

Health Risks with drinkingHealth Risks with drinking

Cancer of larynx, colon, esophagus and Cancer of larynx, colon, esophagus and liverliver

DepressionDepressionHeart muscle damageHeart muscle damageHigh blood pressureHigh blood pressureSevere memory lossSevere memory lossCirrhosis of the liver – scarring and poor Cirrhosis of the liver – scarring and poor

functioning, a chronic liver diseasefunctioning, a chronic liver disease

DetoxificationDetoxification

Detoxing from alcohol usually takes 4-7 Detoxing from alcohol usually takes 4-7 daysdays

Eating a balanced diet with vitamin Eating a balanced diet with vitamin supplements is very importantsupplements is very important

After detox is rehab recovery – this is a After detox is rehab recovery – this is a program to guide the alcoholic to a life program to guide the alcoholic to a life style changestyle change