Understanding the Signs of Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol is the most used addictive substance in the United States. Through promotion of alcohol in media, online and entertainment arenas, alcohol abuse has become a major issue across the country.

Alcohol abuse becomes more severe as a person becomes dependent on it. Some side effects of alcohol abuse include slurred speech, memory loss, blackouts, coma, breathing issues and even death. The Centers for Disease Control reports 40% of alcohol related deaths in the United States occur because of binge drinking, a major sign of alcohol abuse.

Understanding the signs of alcohol abuse in yourself or a loved one can greatly help in the treatment of the issue. Here are a few of the signs of alcohol abuse and how to treat the problem before it becomes a life-threatening issue.

Alcohol Abuse vs. Alcoholism

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism refer to harmful drinking patterns, but they differ in a few ways. Some of the main differences between alcohol abuse and alcoholism include dependency, severity and signs of abuse. Understanding these differences can help in deciding on a suitable treatment plan.

Dependency

Not every person who chooses to use alcohol becomes dependent. However, those who become dependent on alcohol are more susceptible to alcoholism. Dependency is a person’s physical reliance on alcohol. People who become dependent on alcohol experience withdrawal symptoms like nausea, the strong urge to drink, insomnia and sweating.

Severity

Alcohol abuse is a milder form of the broader issue of alcohol use disorder. A person who doesn’t seek treatment is at higher risk of developing a serious drinking problem, resulting in addiction, dependence and higher tolerance. Someone who has built up a dependency to alcohol will have a higher tolerance, resulting in more alcohol intake. This can lead to health issues such as heart disease, weight gain and problems with breathing.

Signs

People who casually drink alcohol are not likely to feel as reliant on it as someone with alcoholism. This results in different physical signs of alcohol use. In addition to dependency with someone suffering from alcoholism, key signs include craving alcohol, the inability to control drinking and continuing to drink despite negative mental and physical health issues.

Health Effects of Extreme Alcohol Use

Over time, extreme alcohol abuse can lead to chronic diseases and other serious health problems including memory loss and depression. Other health conditions linked to alcohol abuse and alcoholism include high blood pressure, liver disease, cancer and heart disease. Health issues like liver disease can be extremely hard to treat if not at all. Therefore, recognizing the early signs of alcohol abuse is important. If not caught in the early stages and the alcohol abuse turns into full blown alcoholism, diseases like cirrhosis can occur leading to death.

Treatment

A person struggling with a drinking problem can have negative effects on multiple areas of their life, ranging from health-related issues to relationship problems with friends and family. Common treatments for alcohol abuse include behavioral therapies, medications and support groups. It is always important to speak with a physician to determine which treatment will best suit the individual for their needs. Each person’s addiction is different, so different treatments may be necessary.

No matter how deep a person gets into alcohol abuse, there are treatments available. Understanding the signs of abuse and getting treatment early will greatly help in overcoming the addiction. Speak with a physician and certified drug and alcohol specialists to find the right treatment plan or plans to help treat this disease. FBN

By Roy DuPrez

Roy DuPrez is the Founder of Back2Basics Outer Adventure Recovery in Flagstaff, Arizona. Back2Basics is an adventure recovery program, up to six months, for young adult males ages 18-30 with substance abuse issues looking for a positive and meaningful life. In our program, clients are exposed to a weekly combination of both wilderness adventures and residential programming. For more information, visit back2basicsoutdooradventures.com, call 928-814-2220 or email rduprez@b2badventures.com.