Alcohol Misuse

Alcohol Misuse is when you  drink too much,

       Or you are not able to control the amount of alcohol you consume.

       Or drink in a  way that  you drinking  would cause you harm

       Or drink in such a way or amount that you need alcohol to get through the day-Dependence( you depend on alcohol).

There are two terms in alcohol misuse and people tend to use one for the other.

 When you  drink too much, or too often you are not able to control the amount of alcohol you consume or drink in a  way that  your drinking  would cause you harm, that is Alcohol Abuse

 But when drink in such a way or amount that you need alcohol to get through the day-Dependence( you depend on alcohol), that is Alcoholism

When you are drunk,  your speech is slurred, you are not able to concentrate well, you suffer poor memory, your reflexes (ability to react to things) are sluggish, you engage in risky behaviours, a decrease ability to control your bladder and bowels. You may even drink to such extent that you may end up falling unconscious or die.

How do you know you are drinking too much?

Frequent drinking means you are drinking most days and weeks. The chance of harm to your health increases by drinking any amount of alcohol on regular basis.

You are drinking too much when

• Other people start to tell you to cut down on your drinking
• You also feel you should cut down on your drinking
• You would start to feel bad or even guilty about your drinking
• You do not remember what happened the previous night because  you were drinking
• You need a drink first in the morning to stop your hangover,  steady your nerves or to relax
• You stop to do the things that you are expected to do because you were drunk, or you had a hangover. Things like going to work or school, missing appointments, or neglecting your responsibilities.

Please do not deny the problem. Do not hide to drink. Do not lie about the amount you drink. It is important to recognise the problem and start to deal with it early.

How do you feel  or know you have alcoholism (dependant drinking)?

Alcoholism is form of alcohol misuse. It is when you have lost control over your drinking. Once you taste alcohol, you cannot stop.

Have excessive and strong  desire to drink.

Lack the ability to control or stop the desire for alcohol

Able to tolerate and drink  the amount of alcohol that would dangerously affect others or even kill them

Lack ability to get through the everyday activities without drinking alcohol

 Experience certain complaints ( withdrawal symptoms) If you stop drinking or cut down suddenly including

Sweating

Shaking-hand tremors

Nausea

Anxiety

Easily irritated

Difficulty sleeping

Depression

Vomiting

In severe cases- seizures, fevers, seeing things that are not there (hallucinations).

Then you would start drinking to avoid these complaints and the cycle starts.

It is important not to let it get to this severity. Treat the problem earlier.

 Harm caused by alcohol misuse

Alcohol misuse cause harm to people. Some of the harmful effects appear sooner ( short-term effects) while others appear later, after a longer period of time ( long term effects).

Short term effects includes

Accidents  falls and injuries such as head injuries.

Alcohol poisoning-severe vomiting, fits and falling unconscious

Violent behaviours, fights, and victims of violence

Unprotected sex, unplanned pregnancy, and sexually transmitted disease.

Affects sex life – decreased sex drive( libido), and erection problem

Long term effects includes

Heart disease

 Stroke

 liver diseases ( liver damage, Liver cirrhosis which leads to liver cancer)

Pancreatitis( inflammation of the pancreas)

Cancers- It causes cancer of the liver, mouth, oesophagus ( food pipe), breast and bowel.

Brain damage and mental health problem.

Infertility- alcohol misuse can affect the quality of your sperm.

Social problems-Alcohol misuse can cause like divorce, domestic abuse, unemployment,  homelessness

Treatment

Do not let alcohol destroy your life

Seek treatment early by recognising and not denying the problem

Treatment is focused on helping people learn how to control their drinking and develop healthier drinking habits.

Some people who recover from alcohol misuse just have to stop drinking completely because they cannot drink in moderation, they do not just have that self-control and it is too hard for them. For such people not touching alcohol might be the only way to solve the problem.

Treatment options include

Counselling, Medicines, detoxification.

See a doctor early to get the help and support.