Alcohol abuse is excessive or problematic alcohol consumption. It can progress to alcoholism.
Alcoholism is chronic alcohol abuse that results in a physical dependence on alcohol (withdrawal symptoms) and an inability to stop or limit drinking.
Several factors can contribute to alcohol abuse and alcoholism, including:
These factors increase your chance of developing alcoholism. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
It is common to deny an alcohol problem. Alcohol abuse can occur without physical dependence.
Alcohol abuse symptoms include:
Symptoms of alcoholism include:
The brain, nervous system, heart, liver, stomach, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas can all be damaged by alcoholism.
Doctors ask a series of questions to assess possible alcohol-related problems, including:
Blood tests may be done to:
Treatment for alcohol abuse or dependence is aimed at teaching patients how to manage the disease. Most professionals believe that this means giving up alcohol completely and permanently.
The first and most important step is recognizing a problem exists. Successful treatment depends on your desire to change. Your doctor can help you withdraw from alcohol safely. This could require hospitalization in a detoxification center. They will carefully monitor you for side effects. You may need medication while you are undergoing detoxification.
Treatments include:
Drugs can help relieve some of the symptoms of withdrawal and help prevent relapse. The doctor may prescribe medication to reduce cravings for alcohol.
Medications used to treat alcoholism and to try to prevent drinking include:
A study showed that an anticonvulsant drug, topiramate (Topamax), may reduce alcohol dependence.
Therapy helps you to recognize alcohol's dangers. Education raises awareness of underlying issues and lifestyles that promote drinking. In therapy, you work to improve coping skills and learn other ways of dealing with stress or pain.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) helps many people to stop drinking and stay sober. Members meet regularly and support each other. Your family members may also benefit from attending meetings of Al-Anon. Living with an alcoholic can be a painful, stressful situation.
Here are some general statistics on treatment outcomes of individuals one year after attempting to stop drinking:
If you are diagnosed with alcohol abuse or alcoholism, follow your doctor's instructions .
Realizing that alcohol causes problems helps some people avoid it. Suggestions to decrease the risk of alcohol abuse and dependence include:
Most professionals who treat alcohol abuse and dependence believe that complete abstinence is the only effective “prevention.”
RESOURCES:
Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
http://www.ncadd.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.aacanada.com/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html/
References:
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. Text Revision. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000.
Dambro M, Griffith JA. Griffith's 5-Minute Clinical Consult . Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2006.
Data/statistical tables. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism website. Available at: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/ . Accessed June 15, 2008.
Goroll AH, Mulley AG. Primary Care Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2000.
JAMA patient page: alcohol abuse and alcoholism. JAMA. 2006;295(17).
JAMA patient page: do you have a drinking problem? JAMA . 1999;281(14).
National epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions. Alcohol Alert (No. 70). National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism website. Available at: http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA70/AA70.htm . Accessed February 19, 2007.
10/25/2007 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Johnson BA, Rosenthal N, Capece JA, et al. Topiramate for treating alcohol dependence: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2007;298:1641-1651.
2/4/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance: Schinke SP, Fang L, Cole KC. Computer-delivered, parent-involvement intervention to prevent substance use among adolescent girls. Prev Med. 2009;49;429-35.
5/14/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Vivitrol (naltrexone). US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm106211.htm. Accessed May 14, 2010.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Theodor B. Rais, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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