Alcohol abuse can be a tricky term to use, considering that ‘abuse’ can have different meanings to different people.
However, it is often understood as referring to the excessive use of alcohol, and causing problems or negative consequences. While it may not automatically mean addiction to alcohol, alcohol abuse remains as one of the topmost public health concerns facing our society today and is in fact, the most common substance that often causes chemical dependency.
Is it alcohol abuse or alcoholism?
Can you have an alcohol problem is still not be labeled as an alcoholic? Some experts say yes, alcohol abuse can occur without a person actually becoming an alcoholic. In alcohol abuse, the intake of alcohol can occur often and in big quantities but may not often result to alcohol dependency.
Alcoholism, on the other hand, is characterized by physical and psychological dependence, the lack of control over the frequency and amount of drinking, along with the strong craving to drink. Alcoholism is also marked with tolerance, a state where the amount of alcohol needed by the body to get the feeling of ‘high’ continually increases. Alcoholism is also chronic and may exhibit certain withdrawal symptoms.
Can alcohol abuse be inherited?
There are certain research studies that show the tendency of alcoholism or [tag-self]alcohol abuse[tag-self] to occur in families. It seems that a gene exists that predisposes an individual toward addiction to substances such as alcohol. However, this is not always the case. While certain genes may be to blame for alcohol abuse, lifestyle and the environment are also strong contributing factors.
Is there a specific group of people who are more likely to develop alcohol abuse?
Alcohol abuse does not depend on sex, race or nationality. However, certain generalities exist. More men, for example, have alcohol problems than women. There is also a higher incidence of alcohol abuse among people between 18 to 29 years old compared to people 60 years old and older.
Young people who start drinking alcohol earlier, say, at 13 or 14 years old, are more likely to develop alcohol problems when they get older, compared to people who start drinking when they are already adults.
Is there such thing as safe drinking?
Alcohol isn’t all bad, provided it is taken in moderate amounts. By moderate, we mean 1 to 2 drinks a day for men and less for women and people who are older. This type of alcohol drinking is possible if you do not have the proclivity toward addiction.
People taking medication or have certain diseases, for example, are advised to stay away from alcoholic drinks. For informational purposes one serving of alcoholic drink should consist of:
1.5 oz. of 80-proof drinks (few people measure with tis accuracy)
5.0 oz of wine
12 oz. of beer, wine coolers and mixed spirits
Is there a cure for alcoholism and alcohol abuse?
There is no magic pill, drug, cream or ointment that will cure alcohol abuse. However, it can be treated, although the efficacy of treatments is highly dependent upon an individual’s willingness to avoid or control alcohol intake and the frequency of exposure to circumstances that lead to alcohol use.
More from aroud the Web:
- Alcoholism: The Genetic Puzzle (Cont.) (addiction-dirkh.blogspot.com)
- Alcohol Poisoning (marginalrevolution.com)
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I thank God am not a alcoholic. I’ve seen alot of my friend and cousins love to drink beer, red horse and etc. Those drinks i hate most. Because I don’t want to have a body ache and head ache. Its sucks my day more power to your site ! thanks for reminding me of my college days God bless
I agree that environmental circumstances could play a contributing factor in alcohol abuse or alcoholism. I grew up with an older brother and father who abused alcohol. My brother consumed large quantities of alcohol on evenings after work and on weekends and lost his life to heart failure due to his excess drinking. As I grew older alcohol started having a different effect on me than in my younger years. I started drinking more often and began falling into depression. Through outside help and support of my family I have been able to get back on my feet and stop abusing alcohol. I don’t know if I can drink in moderation anymore and I enjoy my life so much more now that I wouldn’t even care to find out. There was a point in my life where I could not imagine my life without an alcoholic drink and now I don’t even consider my life with one. Alcohol is a subtle foe and by the time a person realizes they have a problem there usually has been damage done. I urge any one who abuses alcohol or is alcoholic to seek outside help and support for there recovery. Going it alone usually leads to failure.
Alcohol abuse is far more common than people realize. A recent study states that alcohol consumption is on the increase with the declining economy which means people are turning to alcohol to ease the pain of their problems.
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My cousin died of alcoholism way too young in his 40′s. He was bright, good looking an attorney with a great wife and two kids, but he couldn’t stop drinking. He would lose job after job. One night he wrecked his car and died in the accident. I always remember as a kid my Uncle Walter (his father) making fun of his own brother who was an alcoholic. Only to have his own son years later become an alcoholic. It certainly was tragic. I am of the firm opinion that heredity certainly plays a part here.