Patterns of Alcohol Abuse

Binge Drinking – periodic excessive drinking. Binge Drinking – periodic excessive drinking. Take form as a social event or contest. Take form as a social event or contest. Don’t think they are in trouble because they do not drink every day. Don’t think they are in trouble because they do not drink every day. Alcohol Poisoning – dangerous toxic condition that occurs when a person drinks a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time. Alcohol Poisoning – dangerous toxic condition that occurs when a person drinks a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time.

Alcoholism Alcoholism – a physical and psychological dependence on the drug ethanol. Alcoholism – a physical and psychological dependence on the drug ethanol. It is a disease. It is a disease.

Traits of an Alcoholic Alcoholics are unable to stop drinking despite the toll it takes on their health and their lives. Alcoholics are unable to stop drinking despite the toll it takes on their health and their lives. Exhibit on or more of the following traits: Exhibit on or more of the following traits: They are preoccupied in one way or another with alcohol. They are preoccupied in one way or another with alcohol. Once they pick up the first drink, the cannot promise predict what they will say or do or how much they will drink. Once they pick up the first drink, the cannot promise predict what they will say or do or how much they will drink.

They cannot manage tension without drinking. They cannot manage tension without drinking. They may have personality changes or memory lapses due to drinking. They may have personality changes or memory lapses due to drinking.

Stages of Alcoholism There are three clearly defined stages of alcoholism that happen over a period of time. There are three clearly defined stages of alcoholism that happen over a period of time. Abuse Abuse Dependence Dependence Addiction Addiction

Stage One Typically begins with social drinking. Typically begins with social drinking. Relax, relieve stress or depression. Relax, relieve stress or depression. Type of drinking increases to relieve stress. Type of drinking increases to relieve stress. A physical and psychological dependency on alcohol develops. A physical and psychological dependency on alcohol develops.

Person begins to drink and become intoxicated regularly. Person begins to drink and become intoxicated regularly. Drinker may have short term memory loss and blackouts. Drinker may have short term memory loss and blackouts.

Drinker makes excuses and tries to rationalize drinking behavior. Drinker makes excuses and tries to rationalize drinking behavior. Tolerance increases. Tolerance increases. May be considered a problem drinker to others. May be considered a problem drinker to others.

Stage Two Person reaches a point where they cannot stop drinking. Person reaches a point where they cannot stop drinking. Physically dependent. Physically dependent. Individual may drink alone and every day. Individual may drink alone and every day.

Craving for alcohol may occur earlier in the day. Craving for alcohol may occur earlier in the day. Physical and mental problems may become evident. Physical and mental problems may become evident. More excuses are made and others are blamed. More excuses are made and others are blamed.

Defensive behavior is evident, the drinker denies or tries to hide the problem. Defensive behavior is evident, the drinker denies or tries to hide the problem. Tolerance is still increasing and it takes more alcohol to become intoxicated. Tolerance is still increasing and it takes more alcohol to become intoxicated. Drinking becomes central in persons life. Drinking becomes central in persons life.

Performance on the job, at school, or at home decreases. Performance on the job, at school, or at home decreases. Frequent absences from school, work, or other commitments occur. Frequent absences from school, work, or other commitments occur.

Stage Three Drinking is more important in the persons life than anything else. Drinking is more important in the persons life than anything else. The problem can no longer be denied, and it is also uncontrolled. The problem can no longer be denied, and it is also uncontrolled. Hallucinations may occur. Hallucinations may occur.

Alcohol is a constant companion. Alcohol is a constant companion. Malnutrition Malnutrition Person has fallen apart physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. Person has fallen apart physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.

Decreased or reverse tolerance. Decreased or reverse tolerance. Withdrawal Withdrawal DT’s : Delirium tremens: the dramatic physical and psychological effects of alcohol withdrawal. DT’s : Delirium tremens: the dramatic physical and psychological effects of alcohol withdrawal.

Alcoholism cannot be cured, can be treated. Alcoholism cannot be cured, can be treated.