When does alcohol use become a problem?
The problem of drinking can manifest itself in many ways, from just having a well-spent evening that ends badly, to frequently recurring nights that rarely end well. When drinking gets in the way of important things in life, such as health, family, friends, work, school, etc., there is cause for concern. Alcohol problems are not always related to the amount and frequency of drinking, it may be more related to what happens when the person drinks.
When does alcohol use become an addiction?
Alcohol dependence is progressive. This means that over time it increases and the consequences gradually become more serious.
Below are the main criteria for identifying alcohol dependence. (Criteria are taken from Diagnostic Criteria for 303.90 Alcohol Dependence, American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 1994, pp. 195-198.).
Alcohol dependence typically presents with three or more of the criteria below, occurring at any time over a 12 month period:
- Withdrawal symptoms: sweating or high heart rate, increased hand tremors, insomnia, nausea or vomiting, and in some cases temporary visual, tactile, or auditory hallucinations or visions, psycho-motor agitation, restlessness, and major seizures.
- Noticeably increased addiction: the need for much more alcohol to achieve the state of intoxication or the desired effect, or finding that the same amount of alcohol does not have the same effect as before.
- Excessive use: a longer period or more. For example, drinking until vomiting or fainting.
- Unsuccessful attempts to reduce or control alcohol use: Inability to stop drinking.
- Alcohol Necessity , Addiction : Time spent purchasing alcohol or recovering from exposure to it. A person may be drinking in several places on the same evening, spending excessive time purchasing alcohol, or planning how to get alcohol, or spending significant time recovering from the effects of a hangover.
- Reducing the time spent on other non-alcoholic activities. Finding and finding people who abuse alcohol as new friends; Reduced academic performance and productivity at school or work due to alcohol consumption, absenteeism, tardiness, and decreased time spent on sports or other recreational activities.
- Continued alcohol use despite negative consequences: Recurrent problems caused or aggravated by continued alcohol use, such as memory loss , depression or suicidal tendencies, personality change, legal problems, health problems, mood swings, financial problems, relationship problems or in the family.
Other serious risk factors related to alcohol dependence:
Health problems, bruises and cuts; frequent illnesses, alcohol abuse , along with the presence of chemical dependence among close relatives.
The presence of parents, siblings, or other relatives with alcohol or drug addiction is a warning sign. The presence of closer relatives with chemical dependence indicates a risk group. Recent studies in brain chemistry suggest that alcoholism may have a genetic predisposition, and 90% of alcohol addiction is inherited. Studies show that children of alcoholics generally do not notice intoxication, unlike most people. Their brain chemistry is already genetically altered, making them more susceptible to addiction and addiction.
Indicators of alcohol or other drug abuse
The following indicators indicate possible problems associated with alcohol or other drug abuse.
Alcohol consumption rates:
- Indication of signs of abuse characterized by repeated intoxication
- Deliberate use of alcohol for the purpose of getting drunk
- Denying the severity, frequency, or amount of actual alcohol consumption
- Dependence of normal life functions on alcohol or other drugs
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Continued use despite negative consequences
Physical indicators:
- Observed pathological changes in the skin, eyes, impaired coordination and speech
- Signs of frequent physical ailment or hangover
- Sleep disturbance
- Indigestion
- Signs of a hangover
- Decreased interest in caring for your own appearance
- Loss of consciousness, fainting
Emotional indicators:
- Emotional alcohol or other drug use
- Feelings of guilt for their own behavior while intoxicated
- Decreased emotional control
- Sharp mood swings
- Feelings of guilt from drinking alcohol
- Anxiety reactions
- Indecent behavior
- Enabling defensive reactions when communicating
- Depression
- Cognitive impairment
- Decreased focus and unstable concentration •
- Increased forgetfulness
- Loss of problem solving skills
- Memory lapses (loss of memory for some time )
- Failure to Make Good Judgments and Decisions
- Decreased academic performance
- Decreased motivation and / or ability to get things done
Social indicators:
- Difficulty in family or other relationships
- Irresponsible behavior
- Financial difficulties
- Legal problems
- Self-esteem problems
- Reducing time for rest and other interests
- Poor work performance / reduced performance
- Truancy
- Drakija / or physical or verbal aggression
- Personality change
- Aggressive behavior or suppression of others