Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Using alcohol or drugs does not mean that a person has a substance use disorder. However, as soon as a person’s use leads to problems at work or at home, or causes damage to his or her health, it is probably time to seek help.

Alcohol

Men who drink five or more standard drinks (12 oz of beer, 4 oz of wine, or 1 oz of hard liquor) in a day (or 15 or more per week) and women who drink 4 or more in a day (or eight or more per week) are at increased risk for alcohol-related problems. About 3 in 10 adults drink at levels that increase their risk for problems, which may include hypertension, GI bleeding, sleep disorders, depression, stroke, cirrhosis of the liver, and several cancers.

There are two main alcohol disorders: alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. Alcohol abuse is less severe, but can lead to physically risky behavior, interpersonal problems, inability to function appropriately at home or work, and legal troubles. Alcohol dependence is more severe and is characterized by preoccupation with drinking, inability to cut back, and symptoms of physical need and withdrawal, including increased tolerance.

Using alcohol or drugs does not mean that a person has a substance use disorder. However, as soon as a person’s use leads to problems at work or at home, or causes damage to his or her health, it is probably time to seek help.

Alcohol
Men who drink five or more standard drinks (12 oz of beer, 4 oz of wine, or 1 oz of hard liquor) in a day (or 15 or more per week) and women who drink 4 or more in a day (or eight or more per week) are at increased risk for alcohol-related problems. About 3 in 10 adults drink at levels that increase their risk for problems, which may include hypertension, GI bleeding, sleep disorders, depression, stroke, cirrhosis of the liver, and several cancers.
There are two main alcohol disorders: alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence.

Alcohol abuse is less severe, but can lead to physically risky behavior, interpersonal problems, inability to function appropriately at home or work, and legal troubles. Alcohol dependence is more severe and is characterized by preoccupation with drinking, inability to cut back, and symptoms of physical need and withdrawal, including increased tolerance.

Symptoms of alcohol dependence:

  • Drinking alone or in secret
  • Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
  • Not remembering conversations or commitments, sometimes referred to as “blacking out”
  • Making a ritual of having drinks before, with or after dinner and becoming annoyed when this ritual is disturbed or questioned
  • Losing interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring pleasure
  • Feeling a need or compulsion to drink
  • Irritability when your usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol isn’t available
  • Keeping alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work or in the car
  • Gulping drinks, ordering doubles, becoming intoxicated intentionally to feel good or drinking to feel “normal”
  • Having legal problems or problems with relationships, employment or finances
  • Building a tolerance so that you need an increasing number of drinks to feel the effects
  • Experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating and shaking

People who abuse alcohol may experience many of the same signs and symptoms, however alcohol abusers don’t feel the same compulsion to drink and usually don’t experience physical withdrawal symptoms.

Use and abuse of drugs and alcohol by teens is very common and can have serious consequences.Drugs and alcohol also contribute to physical and sexual aggression such as assault or rape.Some teenagers regularly use drugs or alcohol to compensate for anxiety, depression, or a lack of positive social skills.

Warning signs of teenage drug or alcohol abuse may include:

  • A drop in school performance
  • A change in groups of friends
  • Delinquent behavior
  • Deterioration in family relationships.

There may also be physical signs such as red eyes, a persistent cough, and change in eating and sleeping habits.

Alcohol or drug dependency may include blackouts, withdrawal symptoms, and further problems in functioning at home, school, or work.
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