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When to Call for Alcohol Use and Abuse - Problems / Questions

Care Advice

Alcohol Abuse

1. What You Should Know About Alcohol Abuse:
   • Drinking too much alcohol raises your risk for many serious health problems. It can damage your liver, stomach, heart, pancreas and brain. It is also a factor in digestive system cancers. Of most concern, it can lead to suicide and accidental death.
   • Alcohol abuse leads to more than 95,000 deaths a year in the US.
2. Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:
   • Social drinking means you drink once in a while. It can be harmful, even with small amounts, if you go on to drive. It is harmful with some types of medicine.
   • Heavy drinking means you drink more than the suggested limits. For a woman this is 8 or more drinks in a week; for men, 15 or more drinks.
   • Problem drinking means you keep drinking heavily even when you are causing harm to yourself or your family.
   • Binge drinking is defined as 4 or more drinks in one time period for a woman; 5 or more drinks for a man.
   • Alcoholism and Alcohol Dependence are the terms used when someone is addicted to alcohol. Drinking is a priority in their life and there may be withdrawal symptoms if they try to stop. You may be dependent on alcohol if you:
   • have a strong desire to drink alcohol every day
   • often drink alone
   • need a drink to stop trembling
   • drink early or first thing in the morning
   • spend a lot of time in activities involving alcohol or
   • neglect other activities you like because of drinking alcohol
3. Withdrawal Symptoms:
   • If you are dependent on alcohol, you may develop withdrawal symptoms 3-8 hours after your last drink. Symptoms include:
   • Feeling sick (nausea)
   • The ‘shakes’ (trembling)
   • Sweating
   • Craving alcohol
   • Feeling ill
   • Convulsions (rare)
   • Withdrawal symptoms last 5-7 days, if you don’t have another drink. They can be severe and sometimes life-threatening.
4. Alcohol Dependence and Denial
   • It may be hard for you to accept that you are dependent on alcohol.
   • Many people who are problem drinkers deny that they have a problem. They may think they can cope or tell themselves they can stop at any time.
   • The first and most important step of controlling your drinking is admitting you have a problem.
   • If you feel you need (or a friend or relative needs) help to stop drinking, contact your doctor.
5. Drinking in Pregnancy:
   • Alcohol reaches the unborn baby from the mother’s blood.
   • An unborn baby cannot process alcohol very well. Any alcohol in the mother’s system stays in the baby's system longer.
   • The risks to the baby are:
   • Low birth weight
   • Learning, behavior and thinking problems as the baby grows
   • Heart defects and problems with other organs
   • Abnormal facial features
   • Do not drink any alcohol at any stage of your pregnancy. Having a healthy baby should be a good incentive for you to stop.
6. What to Expect:
   • About 1 in 3 people who have a problem with alcohol return to sensible drinking or stop drinking without the help of a professional.
   • Many people who stop drinking go back to drinking heavily again at some point. Support groups or counselling can make this less likely.
   • You may need to avoid alcohol for life.
   • It takes time for your lifestyle changes to make a difference.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • You are showing signs of alcohol dependence (addiction)
   • You are going through withdrawal symptoms
   • You want help to quit drinking or to detox
   • You think you need to be seen.
   • You get worse.

Advice for Drinking Less

1. Take Control of your Drinking Habits:
   • If you don’t already drink, don’t start.
   • You should not drink at all if you are under 21, pregnant, trying to become pregnant or have certain medical problems.
   • If you do drink alcohol, stick to moderate amounts or less.
   • Moderate drinking means one or two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. One drink means one 12-ounce beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits such as bourbon, vodka or gin.
   • Some studies say there are health benefits from drinking wine, mainly red wine. It is as yet unclear. A healthy diet and regular exercise are more likely to benefit you. The American Heart Association does not support drinking red wine to gain health benefits.
   • It is risky to use alcohol as a stress reliever. Staying active, eating a healthy diet and learning to relax techniques (meditation, yoga) will offer more benefits.
2. Stress Management:
   • We live in a fast-paced world and many people feel the need to manage their stress.
   • Stress can lead to poor diet, drinking too much alcohol and high blood pressure.
   • It is risky to use alcohol as a stress reliever.
   • Notice what kind of things in your life cause you to be stressed.
   • Reduce stress by changing your expectations. We are often our own worst enemy when it comes to being stressed and set our expectations of ourselves very high. Quiet your inner critic.
   • Learn to say "No."
   • Be realistic about what you can do.
   • Focus on what you can control (not what you can’t control).
   • Plan time and activities that will allow you to relax.
   • Ask for help if you need it. It may be that a friend or co-worker can help. Your doctor will also be able to refer you to where else you can get help.
3. Tips for Reducing Your Drinking:
   • Try low-alcohol beers.
   • Slow your the rate of drinking. Alternate soft drinks or water with alcohol.
   • If you eat when you drink, you might drink less.
   • Review your social activity and cut back on those that involve alcohol.
   • Reduce the number of days you drink.
   • Resist pressure from people who encourage you to drink more then you really want to.
   • Some people are helped by reading books, websites, brochures and their own discipline.
   • Talking therapies and detox support groups may help you. Ask for help from your doctor.
4. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA):
   • Alcoholics Anonymous is a support group for people who have had a drinking problem. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking.
   • Web site: AA.
5. Al-Anon / Alateen:
   • Al-Anon is a support group for families and friends of alcoholics. It helps them recover from the effects of living with the problem drinker.
   • Toll-free meeting line: 1-888-425-2666.
   • Web site: Al-Anon.
   • Web site: Alateen.

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.