Alcohol Abuse and the Alcoholic
There is no correct definition for alcohol abuse, as it is quite ambiguous to understand or define. To our satisfaction, we can define alcohol abuse as a boundary line between the two phases namely, normal drinkers and alcoholics. Technically speaking, alcohol abuse is considered as a pattern of drinking that harms one's health, interpersonal relationships, or ability to work.
What is the reason for the abuse of alcohol? One reason is failure to fulfill responsibilities at work, school, or home can result in stress, which tempts one to drink a lot. The act of alcohol abuse under these circumstances satisfies two core needs. The need to feel pleasure, which is often experienced when drinking, at least initially, and the desire to avoid pain, which subsides very quickly when drinking begins. The vicious circle of alcohol abuse is exacerbated by the fact that alcoholic behavior often creates more stress and pain in your life, and the drinker will turn to alcohol to deal with that pain.
What are the Consequences of Alcohol Abuse?
Prolonged and excessive use of alcohol will eventually lead to alcoholism. Again it is quite ambiguous to differentiate the symptoms of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. But there are certain ways to recognize the symptoms of alcohol abuse and take precautionary measures before it is too late. Some of the early signs of abuse are sneaking drinks, frequent memory blanks while engaged in drinking, frequent injuries due to excessive drinking, unwillingness to discuss about the drinking habits with family and friends, and feeling guilty over the drinking habit.
So what are some of the other consequences that occur because of the abuse of alcohol? There are many and some of them include going late for work, trouble with authorities for drinking and driving, and aggressive behavior in public. Also physically a person is often affected due to excessive drinking. The physical signs of abusing alcohol include drunkenness, slurred speech, short attention span, uncoordinated movements, drowsiness, memory problems, and aggression.
Most people who abuse alcohol think that it is not a big issue. They have a thought that they can control their habit easily. But this case does not work in reality, because once a person becomes an alcoholic, it is really hard to bring him back to his normal life.
Alcohol abuse during adolescence, especially during the early adolescent age, may lead to long-term changes in the brain. This has a very bad consequence which leaves teenagers at an increased risk of alcoholism in later years. So, it is highly important that teenagers have to be taken care of at the right time to eliminate alcoholism.
If proper precautionary measures are not taken, drinking to excess regularly might result in suicide or violence. It has been estimated that about 1.8 million deaths have been occurred due to alcoholism and 58.3 million people have been disabled due to the same.
Prevention, Deterrence and Support is Critical
It is better that proper measures are taken to control our intake of alcohol before an alcohol abuser becomes an alcoholic. Alcohol abuse can be prevented through increased taxation of alcohol. Strict regulations have to be implemented for alcohol advertising. Information and education on social norms and the harms associated with abusing alcohol should be delivered to everyone through media, internet, and regular campaigns. Getting help at the right time is vital and it can be provided by a healthcare agency. A healthcare professional can improve the chances of solving the problem of alcohol abuse. The professional will conduct a physical exam and a mental health assessment to know the progress of cure. A lot of advice on limiting or abstaining from drinking habit is provided in seminars or meetings and attending these seminars or meetings can also help someone recover from alcohol abuse.
There is an interesting and very helpful e-book available called "Alcohol Free Forever" from top author Mark Smith and is devoted to this very acute and very real issue of alcohol dependence in our world today.
