Alcohol use disorders are patterns of alcohol use in which a person is unable to control their use of alcohol, becomes addicted to alcohol, or continues to use alcohol even when it causes them problems. This disorder includes...
Overview
Alcohol use disorders are patterns of alcohol use in which a person is unable to control their use of alcohol, becomes addicted to alcohol, or continues to use alcohol even when it causes them problems. This disorder includes having to drink more to get the same effect and having withdrawal symptoms if you lose weight too quickly or stop drinking. Alcohol use disorders include levels of alcohol use, sometimes called alcohol dependence.
Unhealthy alcohol use includes alcohol consumption that endangers health or safety or causes other alcohol-related problems. This includes binge drinking—a drinking pattern where the man has five or more drinks in her two hours, or the woman has at least four drinks in her two hours.
Alcohol use disorders may be present when the drinking behavior repeatedly causes significant stress and problems in daily life. From easy to difficult. However, early treatment is important because even minor disorders can develop into serious problems.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms may include:
- Not being able to control how much you drink of alcohol
- having the desire to cut back on your drinking or making fruitless attempts to accomplish so
- having a strong inclination or desire to consume alcohol
- repeatedly abusing alcohol and failing to complete important duties at work, school, or home
- using alcohol while being aware that it is harming your health or interfering with your relationships, career, or social life.
- giving up or decreasing social, professional, and recreational activities in favor of drinking
- Drinking alcohol in unsafe conditions, such as while driving or swimming
- gaining a tolerance to alcohol, which results in a reduced or increased response while drinking.
- When you stop drinking, you may experience withdrawal symptoms like nausea, sweating, and shaking. You may also drink to prevent these symptoms.
An alcohol use disorder might include episodes of alcohol intoxication and withdrawal symptoms.
- You get drunk when the level of alcohol in your system increases. With a higher blood alcohol level, negative effects are more likely to occur. Alcohol consumption affects how people think and behave. Inappropriate behaviour, erratic moods, poor judgement, slurred speech, memory or attention issues, and lack of coordination are a few examples. There could also be "blackouts" where no memories of the event are retained. Blood alcohol concentrations that are extremely high can cause death, lasting brain damage, and comas.
- Alcohol withdrawal can occur when alcohol use is heavy and prolonged, and then stopped or significantly reduced. It can appear after a few hours to 4-5 days. Sweating, an elevated heart rate, trembling hands, difficulty sleeping, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, restlessness and agitation, anxiety, and possibly seizures are some of the signs and symptoms. Your capacity to operate in social and professional settings may be negatively impacted by symptoms that are severe enough.
What is a single drink?
Any of the following constitutes a standard drink, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:
- 5 ounces (148 milliliters) of wine (approximately 12% alcohol)
- 1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) of hard liquor (approximately 40% alcohol)
When to see a doctor?
If you occasionally drink too much alcohol, feel that your drinking is causing problems, or have family members concerned about your drinking, see your doctor. Other ways to get help include seeing a psychologist. This includes consulting or seeking help from support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and similar types of support groups.
Because of the rampant denial, it may feel like there is nothing wrong with drinking. It’s possible that you are unaware of how much alcohol you consume or how many problems alcohol consumption contributes to in your life. If someone asks you to check your habits or ask for help, listen to them. Consider talking to someone who had a problem drinking but quit.
When a loved one needs help
Many people with alcohol use disorders are reluctant to seek treatment because they are unaware that they have a problem. Family intervention can help some people recognize and accept the need for professional help. If you are concerned about someone who is drinking too much, ask a specialist with experience in treating alcoholism for suggestions on how to approach that person.
Cause
Genetic, psychological, social, and environmental factors can influence the physical and behavioral effects of alcohol consumption. Theory suggests that drinking alcohol has different and more potent effects in certain people that may lead to alcohol use disorders.
The normal operation of brain regions connected to pleasure, making decisions, and behaviour regulation can be changed over time by excessive alcohol consumption. It can lead to cravings for alcohol in order to reduce feelings of anxiety.
What negative impacts might excessive drinking have?
Drinking too much alcohol might be bad for your health. Associated with:
- Brain damage, including dementia.
- Despair, depression, and suicide.
- breast cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, oral cancer.
- Alcoholism during pregnancy (if exposed to alcohol before birth). Accidents (falls, burns, etc.) and injuries (broken bones, drowning, etc.). Cirrhosis, hepatitis, and fatty liver are examples of liver conditions. Blackouts, assaults, DUIs and even murders.
- Frequent or heavy drinking can also lead to personal problems such as: B. The following issues:
- money.
- personal relationship.
- work. Risk factor
Alcohol use can begin in his teens, but alcohol use disorders can begin at any age, although alcohol use disorders are more common in his 20s and his 30s.
What is alcoholic liver disease?
There are 3 types. Many heavy drinkers progress through his three types over time:
- Fatty liver -A fatty liver is characterized by fat deposits in the cells of the liver. It leads to an enlarged liver. The most typical liver issue associated with alcohol is this one.
- Alcoholic hepatitis - The liver is severely inflamed by alcohol-related hepatitis. Liver cell death occurs, often followed by permanent scarring. Cirrhosis brought on by alcohol. The loss of healthy liver tissue is cirrhosis brought on by alcohol. Scar tissue remains in place of functioning liver tissue.
- The liver is a large organ located on the right side of the stomach (abdomen) under the ribs.
Liver functions
- Helps filter waste products from the body.
- make bile that digests food.
- store sugars that the body uses for energy.
How are alcohol use disorders treated?
Treatment may include a combination of:
Behavioral therapy:
Counseling and talk therapy by a health care provider, you can learn how to alter your behaviour from professionals like a psychologist or mental health counsellor. Motivation, cognitive behavior, contingency, and 12-step facilitation are the most commonly used techniques.
Medicine:
Naltrexone and acamprosate are both recognized as effective treatments for alcohol consumption disorders by the US Food and Drug Administration. Some people may experience craving reduction from topiramate and gabapentin. Disulfiram, an outdated medication, is no longer often used. These drugs appear to help reduce obsessive thoughts about alcohol.
Self-help groups:
Group meetings with other people with alcohol use disorders can help you stay calm. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings are usually free and available in most communities. Other types of recovery groups are:
celebrate! Recovery with a Christian emphasis, recovery with a non-spiritual rationale, and recovery with a mindfulness/Buddhist emphasis. Treatment settings depend on the stage of recovery and the severity of the condition. Inpatient care (hospital), inpatient rehabilitation (rehabilitation), outpatient intensive care, or outpatient care may be required.
Alcohol use disorders are at risk for:
Drink steadily over time. Regular heavy drinking or regular binge drinking over a long period of time can lead to alcohol-related problems or alcohol use disorders.
Start at an early age. Alcohol use problems are more likely to develop in young drinkers, especially those who binge eat. family history. One's likelihood of experiencing alcohol use issues increases if one has a parent or close family who abuses alcohol.
Depression and other mental health issues. People with mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder often have problems with alcohol and other substances. history of trauma. Alcohol use problems are more likely to develop in those who have experienced psychological or other trauma in the past. Undergo bariatric surgery. Several research studies suggest that bariatric surgery may increase the risk of alcohol use disorders or relapse after recovery from alcohol use disorders.
social and cultural factors. Having friends or close partners who drink regularly may increase the risk of alcohol use disorders. The glamorous way of drinking is sometimes portrayed in the media, and it can also convey the message that it is okay to drink too much. In young people, the influence of parents, peers, and other role models can influence risk.
Complications
Alcohol weakens the central nervous system. However, if you continue to drink, you will become drowsy and lose control of your behavior.
Too much alcohol affects speech, muscle coordination, and vital centers in the brain. This is of particular concern if you are taking certain medications that also affect brain function.
Security impact:
Excessive drinking impairs judgment and inhibition, impairs judgment and can lead to dangerous situations and behaviors such as:
- car accidents and other types of accidental injuries; B. drowning.
- relationship problems
- more likely to commit violent crimes or be victims of crime.
- legal issues or employment or financial issues
- Problems when using other substances.
- engaging in unsafe and unsafe sex or experiencing sexual abuse or rape
- Increased risk of attempted suicide or suicide
Effects on your health
Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol all at once or over an extended period of time might result in health issues like:
- Liver disease - Excessive drinking can lead to an increase in liver fat (fatty liver) and inflammation of the liver (alcoholic hepatitis). Over time, excessive drinking can lead to irreversible destruction and scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis).
- Digestive problems - Drinking excessively can result in ulcers in the stomach and esophagus as well as stomach lining irritation (gastritis). The body's capacity to obtain adequate amounts of B vitamins and other nutrients may also be impacted. Excessive drinking can damage the pancreas and cause inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). There is a nature.
- Heart problems - Alcohol can interfere with the release of glucose from the liver and increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This can be dangerous if you have diabetes and are already taking insulin or other diabetes medications to lower your blood sugar.
- Sexual function and period problems - Excessive drinking can cause problems for men to maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction). For women, excessive drinking can disrupt menstruation.
- Eye problems - Long-term drinking can result in vitamin B-1 (thiamine) insufficiency, which can lead to nystagmus, weakening, and paralysis of the eye muscles. Dementia that is irreversible if not treated immediately.
- Birth anomaly - Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage. FASD can lead to children being born with lifelong physical and developmental problems.
- Bone damage - Bone loss can lead to bone loss (osteoporosis) and increase the risk of fractures. This can lead to a low platelet count, leading to bruising and bleeding.
- Neurological complications - The neural system can be impacted by excessive drinking, which can result in dementia, cognitive disorders, limb discomfort and numbness, as well as short-term memory loss.
- Weakened immune system - Alcohol abuse can weaken the immune system and raise the risk of many diseases, including pneumonia.
- Increased risk of cancer - Excessive long-term alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of many cancers, including mouth, throat, liver, esophagus, colon, and breast cancer. Alcohol consumption, even in moderation, can raise the risk of breast cancer.
- Drug-alcohol interactions - Some drugs interact with alcohol and enhance its toxic effects. Taking these medicines while taking them may increase or decrease the effects of the medicines or make them dangerous.
Prevention
Early intervention can prevent alcohol-related problems in adolescents. If you're a teenager, watch out for signs and symptoms that indicate a drinking problem.
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies or interest in appearance
- Red eyes, slurred speech, coordination problems, memory problems
- Difficulties or changes in relationships with friends. B. Joining a new group.
- bad grades and problems in school
- Frequent mood swings and defensive behavior
- To help prevent teen drinking, you can:
- Set an example with your own alcohol consumption.
- Talk openly with your child, spend time with him or her, and be an active participant in his or her life.
- Make sure your youngster is aware of the expectations for behaviour and the repercussions of breaking the law.
