Alcohol Abuse Symptoms and Signs

Alcohol Abuse Symptoms and Signs

by Ronnie Evans

in Self Help / Addictions (submitted 2008-12-05)

Alcohol abuse is not to be confused with alcoholism. Those who abuse alcohol are not necessarily addicted to alcohol; however, prolonged excessive use could eventually lead to alcoholism. Alcohol abusers do not possess a dependence on alcohol, but usually drink more than is considered healthy. Distinguishing alcohol abuse symptoms from alcoholism can be tricky. How do we know if a person is just enjoying a good time or if the alcohol consumption is taking over their life? Fortunately, there are ways to recognize the signs of alcohol abuse and seek help before it becomes too late.

Alcohol abuse symptoms

Many people wonder about recognizing the early signs of alcohol abuse. These can include: sneaking drinks, gulping first drinks, frequent memory blanks while engaging in drinking, unwillingness to discuss drinking habits, and feelings of guilt over drinking. An alcohol abuser will demonstrate a pattern of excessive drinking and usually sets out to drink in order to feel the "high" that excessive alcohol ingestion brings. Other common alcohol abuse symptoms can include: often turning up late for work or school due to hangovers, frequent injuries that occur during times of excessive drinking, trouble with the authorities for drinking and driving or aggressive behavior. Physical signs of alcohol abuse are drunkenness, drowsiness, slurred speech, short attention span, uncoordinated movements, memory problems, and aggression.

Knowing the signs

Many people who routinely abuse alcohol believe that it is not a big deal and that they can control their habit. Most of them do not recognize alcohol abuse symptoms and may need outside help in acknowledging the problem. The following is a series of questions to help you detect whether you or a loved one may have an issue with alcohol abuse.

1. Have you missed work or school more than once due to hangover problems?

2. Have you become angry when others have commented on or criticized your drinking habits?

3. Have you felt that you should curb your drinking?

4. Have you decided to reduce your drinking and found that you cannot?

5. Have you exhibited overly aggressive behavior under the influence of alcohol (i.e. getting into fights)?

6. Have you encountered problems with the authorities in situations when you were drinking?

7. Have you had sexual experiences while under the influence of alcohol that caused you to be regretful?

8. Do you "binge drink" on a regular basis (four or more drinks for women and more than five for men)?

9. Do you have "blackout" periods whereby you cannot remember certain instances while you were drinking or afterward?

10. Is excessive drinking a normal part of your weekly social activities?

If the answer is 'yes' to the majority of these questions, then there is most likely alcohol abuse.

Effects of Alcohol Abuse

Physically, excessive drinking can cause certain cancers, such as those of the throat, esophagus, larynx and liver. It can also cause liver cirrhosis, brain damage, problems with the immune system, and damage to a fetus during pregnancy. Excessive alcohol consumption also increases the risks for automobile accidents and on-the-job accidents. Alcohol abuse can be a detriment not only to your health, but also to your personal relationships, your job or schooling, and can even get you in trouble with the law.

Getting Help

Since an alcohol abuser is not necessarily an alcoholic, that is, not addicted to alcohol, he/she may respond favorably to loved ones who express concern over the drinking issue, and may choose to curb the abusive behavior. However, consulting a healthcare professional about excessive drinking can improve the chances of solving the problem. They can advise you on seminars or meetings, refer you to a support group, and talk to you about limiting or abstaining from drinking. They will provide information on specific alcohol abuse symptoms and the effects of excessive alcohol consumption on the body. A medical doctor will generally give you a physical exam and a mental health assessment. It is to your benefit to always be honest with your doctor; it is imperative to tell the complete truth regarding your symptoms and drinking behaviors in order for a professional to be able to help you.

Loved ones are a key resource; they are usually first to recognize alcohol abuse symptoms and can provide invaluable support to help you cope with alcohol abuse. An important factor in abstaining from alcohol abuse is to avoid situations where alcohol abuse is made easy.

About the Author

Ronnie Evans is an expert in drug rehabilitation

and writes articles to help those who are addicted to drugs. See www.drugrehabadvice.org

for more information.

Overcoming Weed Addiction Does It Have To Be Difficult?

Overcoming Weed Addiction Does It Have To Be Difficult?

by M Porteous

Overcoming weed addiction is often considered a difficult process and when you start out the road ahead may look like a journey filled with pain and problems that may turn you back to marijuana and back to your old way of life until it once more becomes unbearable and the cycle starts again. But does it have to be difficult? Is it as hard as we think when we set upon that path or are we sabotaging our own efforts by imagining the worst and making a self fulfilling prophecy with doubt and imagined difficulties?

The answer in many cases is NO, it does not need to be hard because overcoming weed addiction is mostly in your own mind!

This is not to diminish or belittle the challenges you might face and some people have some very bad situations to be quitting pot in but all the same it is the attitudes you take into the process that will make things go smoothly or not. To be able to get an attitude of confidence and positivity in these situations is the key to turning any difficult situation into solvable problem and turn mountains into molehills in your perception of them. This may not seem possible but it is all in the preparation of your next few weeks trying to quit that counts, if you pack your mind with the right tools and information you will have all you need to tackle the issues and more importantly you will have the confidence to combat them making the process doubly less difficult!

To do this though you need a few things that only you can provide yourself.

An honest assessment of your situation

An honest assessment of why you are addicted

An understanding of how marijuana addiction works

A clear and defined goal to reach

A clear understanding of the benefits of quitting

A commitment to reach that goal and gain those benefits

About the Author

So if you are ready to quit smoking pot and are looking for a foolproof way to overcome your weed addiction visit http://www.kick-addiction.com/marijuana-addiction/treatment/ to find out how thousands of others have kicked the habit and now live happier healthier lives.

Danger of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Danger of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Alcohol addiction is considered one of the most terrible conditions that damage both mentally and physically. An individual becomes hooked on alcohol substance and asks more each day to be satisfied. Likewise, if a person refrain from drinking alcohol, his body’s system starts to displays alcohol withdrawal symptoms that are indeed difficult to deal with.

The signs of withdrawal from alcohol have different exhibitions on individual patients. Similarly, the duration of symptoms also conforms based on the alcohol consumption. It can last from a few couple of days to couple of weeks depending on the tolerance an alcoholic may have. Therefore, it is in fact vital that the individual seek for suitable treatment and ask medical advice from licensed doctors for the intervention of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

I want to discuss with you the things associated on how to calculate the alcohol withdrawal symptoms on people who are diagnosed as alcoholics. Many should consider learning these facts as it is important to help a person to deal with his addiction. For example, a person may have to study the harshness of the condition and how long the person is addicted to alcohol. Once these issues are addressed, it is easy to know what the medications will be and what approach is appropriate.

The more addictive substance of alcohol you consumes, the more extreme symptoms can encounter. Consequently, each person who is suffering alcohol withdrawal symptoms is faced on the reality of life-threatening situation.

Within the first few days of treatment, the involve person might have troubles and feeling of discomfort as well as emotional and psychological disturbances. These symptoms can rapidly increase their extremity and can escalate into a more serious health issues. In many cases, these circumstances may probably shows in individuals after they stop drinking alcohol. However, the seriousness is dependent into the physical tolerance a person may possess.

The moderate indications on alcoholics and patients consist of precariousness, increased blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, agitations, anxiousness, sleeplessness, tiredness and headache followed by more serious symptoms. Though, the more severe symptoms seen on individuals are rare, it is best to seek medical attention once it started.

Constant alcohol abuse is dangerous and a person can intoxicate himself through continues drinking pattern. The best cure for any addiction is prevention. A person may want to stop drinking before he becomes hooked to the habit. Getting rid of the habit earlier on is the best treatment for alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Treatments

It is not easy to quit drinking alcohol. Nevertheless, for many people who have chose to make that positive action will probably still encounter problems and negative issues ahead including withdrawal symptoms. It is true that not all individuals who decide to kick of alcohol habit will encounter alcohol withdrawal symptoms. People who are prone to encounter these signs of withdrawal are those who are long time drinkers and those individuals who are abusive in their drinking pattern. Extreme and heavy drinkers are the most common targets. When these individuals quit the habit abruptly, or in cold turkey approach, their bodies act in response to the immediate action, which will be described as alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol withdrawal signs range from mild to moderate to severe. These symptoms are psychosomatic in nature and are exhibited physically as well. The intensity of extremity depends on a person. Some of the most general mild to modest psychosomatic symptoms consist of, (but are not limited to), rapid disturbing changes in the nervous system, exhaustion, depression and stress, instability, mild confusion anxiety disorder. Harsh psychological symptoms are DTs or delirium tremens, which are associated with hallucinations and a series of confusion episode.

Physical alcohol withdrawal symptoms alcoholics may encounter are migraines, unsettled stomach, vomiting, restlessness, rapid heartbeat, and irregular or spontaneous movements of parts of the body. More severe physical symptoms include high temperature of the body following convulsions, seizures, and shakes.

Unluckily, alcohol withdrawal symptoms are difficult to deal with. Most people start to drink again because of these indications. Most likely, starting the habit again that will bring extreme damages to the body. The duration of time that alcohol withdrawal symptoms last is typically based on the individual’s tolerance to the signs. Many individuals struggle from these episodes only a few days. Nonetheless, other people may suffer from these symptoms for a couple of weeks.

Medical treatment for alcohol withdrawal symptoms is highly necessary. Pharmacotherapy is the management of these symptoms by introducing medicines and synthetic drugs. Common drugs used to fight withdrawal symptoms are:

Benzodiazepines
Diazepam
Propranolol
Atenolol
Carbamazepine

It is significant to know that these types of medicines are taken when a person is experiencing mild or moderate level of withdrawal symptoms. It is recommended to undergo medical supervision to prevent complications. Be aware that these drugs can also lead to addiction and without medical intervention; one may put his health at risk.

How to Stop Drinking Alcohol

How to Stop Drinking Alcohol

Requirements To be left completely to the Drinking Wine

Not easy to stop the habit. Drinking alcohol is one of those things. Insomuch much more there just somewhere drinks. Store sold anywhere. But if you have the items required to be left the habit completely, workable them according to the dictates of your heart and mind.

The first should be done by someone who saw the symptoms of alcoholism are to us in his situation that he needs help. The U.S. real condition itself is a great help to be an individual program to undergo a program. If a person has intense desire to leave his current status as a slave of alcohol, corresponding only to admit to his family and friends of these things. Not be effective in an individual's any program or system to stop drinking alcohol if he is not fully cessation.

Family should be the guide in these situations. They are more appropriate and contribute to such person full recovery in quagmire. AMG moral support, more especially those who came from near the alcoholic will have great things to accomplish the plan should accomplish. The family member can be the means to start a person addicted to vices of drinking in the path of cessation. They also can provide continuous on-going reminder of the person to not give up and continue the treatment. People saw a readiness to stop drinking habit when returning to family and close friends he of further support and assistance.

The amount of reason to say that you should really stop drinking, the positive reasons why you should drink a person. Lung therefore have positive things to drunkenness. The excess alcohol can damage our internal organs. It destroys our liver, gall bladder and heart. If you drink alcohol, you just poison your body can cause serious illness in the future.

The second list is finding people who can help to fully cure the disease alcoholism. It may be doctors who really holds these situations and conditions. Must a physician before stopping the plan to ensure an effective and safe procedure. Doctors often treat it first conducts several tests before the corresponding program for an individual. Always remember that every human situation may be different in terms of one creatures. So it applied only to ensure the system meets your health.

Family Supports In Quitting Alcohol

It is a sad situation yet a truthful fact that excessive alcohol consumption or binge drinking affects not only the life of an alcoholic but also the lives of the people around him especially his family, relatives and friends. An individual with alcohol problems can create damaging effects not only in his daily life but his work and relationships with family and friends as well. In fact, many people with this type of problems affect not only their physical and psychological aspects but their emotional side as well.

The real problem that needs resolving is the openness to the opinions and opinions of others with more knowledge in these situations and conditions. People addicted to drugs or have a tendency to drink too much and abused body was rejecting kinakikitaan he did and circumstances. He may not ready to stop drinking or he did not know her real illness. He may be advised or told his friends about his frequent drinking he deny it and say without having problems. However, we must reiterate that advise him on his manners and his tendency to thoroughly understand his situation. He needed many reminders to be thoroughly its also avoiding alcohol.

The support of the family especially the wife or children will help greatly to be inspired by an individual who wants to stop alcohol abuse. Asikasuhing families need good people with the disease of alcoholism to continue palno to stop drinking alcohol. If family members will help th arrangement of the situation, they benefit more success to be achieved.

The family should be helping and supporting an alcoholic. Family can offer a good recovery if he is being helped by relatives and family members. Quitting drinking and refraining from excessive drinking or binge drinking will become easy if a person gets the support and care from his loved ones.

Also of great help if a family is and sevens agree to assist their members. Members of the family should not divide their ideas and plans for improving the conditions of an alcoholic. Family members should conduct a meeting about this matter and talk about what should be done before the actual quitting takes place.

Always remember that the desire to stop the problem with excessive drinking means actual interruption to remove it thoroughly with alcohol and alcoholic system. The chemical involved in these types of drinks are harmful to the human body more so if abused. The only way to lose the chemical system that is avoiding and stopping drinking alcohol.