Alcohol Abuse Syndrome

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol abuse, or alcoholism, is a chronic disease that affects approximately 17.6 million American adults, and it does not discriminate based on race, gender, social class or nationality. Statistics show that alcohol abuse is highest among people 18 to 29 years old and lowest among those over 65. Alcohol abuse is devastating not only to the abuser but also to her family and friends as well. Although there is no cure for alcoholism, there are a myriad of treatments available.

Stages

• Acohol abuse syndrome is usually be broken into three or four distinct stages. Stage 1 typifies the beginning of alcoholic behavior; drinking elevates from a social behavior to a means of escape, and a tolerance to high levels of alcohol begins to build. Stage 2 is typified by an increasing need for alcohol, and drinking elevates once again, this time from an escape to a physical dependence. By Stage 3, the alcoholic has lost a total lack of control over when and where he consumes alcohol. Typically, at this point, career and relationships begin to suffer clear and dramatic effects. Stage 4, often referred to as late- or end-stage alcoholism, is typified by ongoing binge drinking. At this point, alcohol is all consuming and stay drunk for long periods of time is the alcoholic's primary purpose in life; nothing else will matter but the alcohol.

Causes

• No simple explanation yet exists as to why one person can have single glass of wine to unwind in the evening, and another cannot have that single glass without continuing to drink until she blacks out. However, there are some factors that predispose certain people to alcoholism. People with a family history of alcoholism are at a higher risk of becoming alcoholic themselves. Alcoholism is often comorbid with mental illness; that is, if a person is diagnosed as having or predisposed to a mental disorder such as depression or schizophrenia, the risk for alcohol abuse increases. Other factors that appear to contribute to alcoholism are peer pressure, high stress levels, major life changes and anxiety.

Symptoms

• As the disease progresses, symptoms of alcohol abuse syndrome become easier to recognize. Common signs of alcohol abuse include drinking to relax or escape; inability to control drinking; a focus on buying or hoarding alcohol; keeping alcohol hidden in odd places; allowing alcohol to take priority over family, friends, children or work; abusive or violent behavior; blackouts; confusion and legal trouble. Physical symptoms of alcoholism may include bloodshot eyes, red cheeks and nose, slurred speech, weight loss, painful or upset stomach, numbness in feet and hands and withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, shakiness, dizziness and seizures if alcohol is removed from the system for too long.

Effects

• Alcoholism can have long-term effects on health. Illnesses common to chronic alcohol abuser include liver inflammation or cirrhosis, nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal disorders, heart disease, stroke, neurological difficulties, cancer, diabetes complications, birth defects of offspring and erectile dysfunction. In addition, alcoholism negatively affects personal and professional relationships. Child neglect and abuse and physical and emotional abuse are more common in homes where alcoholism is an issue.

Treatment

• Many rehabilitation and recovery options available including individual, couple, group or family therapy; intensive outpatient treatment; partial hospitalization and residential treatment. A doctor or mental health practitioner should be consulted when choosing a program. The first step to alcohol recovery is alcohol detox, or "getting sober." The severity of the withdrawal symptoms during detox will depend on the severity of the alcohol dependence, and typically takes between one to five days and is sometimes accomplished under medical care to monitor health issues caused by withdrawal symptoms. Following detox, counseling, rehabilitation and recovery begin.