Alcohol Abuse – Are you Suffering ?

Need Help for Drug & Alcohol Abuse?

We’re coming to the weekend again, and I know for many, weekends mean drinking because “you deserved it and worked very hard” for the relaxation alcohol provides. If the thought crosses your mind that you might have a drinking problem, the chances are good that you may need help for Alcohol Abuse.

What is meant by alcohol abuse?

There are many examples however it’s not always obvious, because it starts slowly. For instance, if you need a glass of wine (or Whiskey, Brandy, sherry, insert your choice of booze) every evening, you might be in the process of being dependent on alcohol. There’s no definitive exact time we can pin on becoming an alcoholic, or a drug addict for that matter. The alcoholic could be the single mom at the local Spur steakhouse, watching her kids play on the bouncy castle while she drinks a glass of wine, or four. It could be the high school teacher who has a ruddy complexion, arrives late after recess, and smells like vodka

In fact, it’s people you would least expect who are struggling with alcohol abuse and drug addiction. There aren’t set profiles for alcoholics and drug addicts. I’ve counselled alcoholics who are university lecturers, actors, magistrates, motor mechanics, pole dancers, celebrities and multimillionaires and millionairesses.

What is meant by alcohol abuse ? “not being able to stop once you’ve started drinking”, or, “obsessing over when you can have your next drink”. It’s about excess, shame and secret drinking. I use an oversimplified measure of “When you can stop drinking, you don’t want to, and when you really want and need to stop drinking, you physically can’t.

It could also be craving a drink first thing in the morning, or if you need to drink to calm the shaking. The scary thing about Alcohol is that it’s legal, and socially acceptable. Alcoholics also can’t pin the exact time of crossing the invisible line between enjoying a drink and needing a drink.

Definition of alcohol and substance abuse

One source says  the definition of alcohol abuse is ” the habitual excessive use of alcohol”.

Another source says the definition of alcohol abuse is the use of alcoholic beverages to excess, either on individual occasions (this is referred to as binge drinking), or as a regular thing. Some individuals such as children or pregnant women can be legally considered “alcohol abusers”. Heavy drinking can cause physical damage and death. Once the brain is severely damaged from alcohol abuse, there is little chance of recovery.

AUD – Doctors use this term Alcohol Use Disorder when you can’t control how much you drink, and have difficulty with emotions when you’re not drinking.

Reckless drinking could also indicate Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).  AUD (or Alcoholism) is a chronic disease and it affects the brain. Sometimes genes are passed down through your parents and you are at risk. Where you live, who you stay with and your environmental and psychological frame of mind can play a part.

Is there Help for Alcohol Abuse? yes!

Please ask for help! There is no shame in reaching out when you feel overwhelmed and have negative consequences from being addicted to alcohol. We suggest you go to your doctor, and be completely honest with him or her. If your AUD is severe, you may be admitted to a hospital to detox. This is important because withdrawing from Alcohol Use Disorder can cause seizures. Hospitals and detox centers will monitor and assess your withdrawal safely, administering medication if needed.