| Basic Information |
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| Description |
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A psychological and physiological dependence on alcohol, resulting
in chronic disease and disruption of interpersonal, family and work
relationships. It affects both sexes, but occurs more often in men
than women. Rough estimates indicate that one in 50 of the USA population
is alcohol-dependent. The incidence of alcoholism in children is increasing.
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| Frequent Signs and Symptoms |
Early stages:
- Increased tolerance to the effects of alcohol.
- Low tolerance for anxiety.
- Need for alcohol at the beginning of the day, or at times of
stress.
- Insomnia; nightmares.
- Habitual Monday-morning hangovers, and frequent absences from
work.
- Preoccupation with obtaining alcohol and hiding drinking from
family and friends.
- Guilt or irritability when others suggest drinking is excessive.
Late stages:
- Frequent blackouts; memory loss; depression.
- Delirium tremens (tremors, hallucinations, confusion, sweating,
rapid heartbeat).
- These occur most often with alcohol withdrawal.
- Liver disease (jaundice, internal bleeding, bloating).
- Neurological impairment (numbness and tingling in hands and feet,
declining sexual interest and potency, confusion, coma).
- Congestive heart failure (shortness of breath, swelling of feet).
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| Causes |
Not fully understood, but include:
- Personality factors, especially dependency, anger, mania, depression
or introversion.
- Family influences, especially alcoholic or divorced parents.
- Social and cultural pressure to drink.
- Abnormal metabolism of alcohol (perhaps).
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| Risk Increases with |
- Genetic factors. Some ethnic groups have high alcoholism rates
either for social or biological reasons.
- Use of recreational drugs.
- Crisis situations, including unemployment, frequent moves, or
loss of friends or family.
- Inadequate, insecure and immature personality types.
- Environmental factors such as ready availability, affordability
and social acceptance of alcohol in the culture group, work group
or social group.
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| Preventive Measures |
- Keep to safe limits of alcohol intake as recommended by medical
authorities.
- Drink slowly, never gulp alcoholic drinks. Do not drink on an
empty stomach.
- Do not drink to relieve stress, anxiety, tension or depression.
- Counseling for people at risk of alcoholism, such as a family
history of the disorder.
- Provide children with a loving, stable family environment. Use
alcohol in moderation if at all to provide a healthy role model.
- Encourage a spouse, friend or co-worker to admit when an alcohol
problem exists, and seek professional care.
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| Expected Outcome |
- Without treatment, alcoholism can lead to progressive brain and
liver disease, job loss, divorce, possibly criminal behavior, premature
death.
- With abstinence (absence of alcohol or drugs), sobriety is a
way of life. The change in lifestyle is difficult and relapses occur.
If you are determined to give up alcohol, you can.
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| Possible Complications |
- Chronic and progressive liver disease.
- Gastric erosion (raw area in stomach lining with bleeding; stomach
inflammation.
- Neuritis, tremors, seizures and brain impairment.
- Inflammation of the pancreas.
- Inflammation of the heart.
- Mental and physical damage to the fetus if a woman drinks during
pregnancy.
- Family members of alcoholics may develop psychological symptoms
requiring treatment and support groups such as Al-Anon.
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| Treatment/Post Procedure Care |
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| General Measures |
- For successful treatment, the alcoholic must recognize the existence
of the problem and be willing to grapple with it.
- No single form of treatment works for all alcoholics. Psychological,
social, and physical treatments may be combined.
- Some patients may require detoxification (medical help in getting
over the physical withdrawal symptoms when drinking is stopped).
- Sometimes requires inpatient care at a special treatment center.
- Keep appointments with doctors and counselors.
- Join a local Alcoholics Anonymous group or other support group
and attend meetings regularly.
- Reassess your lifestyle, friends, work, and family to identify
and alter factors that encourage drinking.
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| Medication |
- Disulfiram (Antabuse), which causes several extremely unpleasant
physical symptoms when alcohol is consumed, is recommended for some
patients.
- Other medications to help control withdrawal symptoms may be
prescribed.
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| Activity |
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There are usually no restrictions. Discuss physical activities with
the doctor.
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| Diet |
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Eat a normal, well-balanced diet. Vitamin supplements, such as thiamine
and folic acid, are often necessary.
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| Notify Your Healthcare Provider If |
- You or a family member has symptoms of alcoholism.
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