Office of Addiction Services and Supports Office of Addiction Services and Supports
Content
Alcohol dependence can take from a few years to several decades to develop. For some people who are particularly vulnerable, it can happen within months. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, 3.3 million deaths every year result from the harmful use of alcohol.
- Not everyone who binge drinks has an AUD, but they are at higher risk for getting one.
- The severity of the disorder lies on a spectrum, ranging from mild to severe dependence, also known as chronic alcoholism (although even a mild disorder can spiral out of control without early treatment).
- In the chart we see the average consumption (in litres of ethanol) of different beverage types per person in the USA from 1850 through to 2013.
Depending on alcohol, even temporarily, can spiral into a drinking problem. If a blood test reveals that the red blood cells have increased in size, it could be an indication of long-term alcohol misuse. A person may go to the doctor about a medical condition, such as a digestive problem, and not mention how much alcohol they consume.
Effects of alcoholism and alcohol abuse
A simplistic definition calls alcoholism a disease caused by chronic, compulsive drinking. This definition is inadequate, however, because alcoholics, unlike other drug addicts, do not always need ever-increasing doses of alcohol. A BAC of 0.09% to 0.25% causes lethargy, sedation, balance problems and blurred vision. A BAC of 0.18% to 0.30% causes profound confusion, impaired speech (e.g. slurred speech), staggering, dizziness and vomiting.
Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can also have an impact on your family, friends and the people you work with. Loved ones are an integral part of the addiction recovery process, but they need to balance their own needs in addition to providing support. To do that, they can set boundaries around their emotional, physical, and financial relationship, for example that the house will remain an alcohol-free zone. They can research alcoholism to understand the underpinnings of the disorder, the signs of an overdose, and other important information. They can discuss co-occurring mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. They can seek help from peer support groups and mental health professionals as well.
Self-testing: Do I misuse alcohol?
The map shows the share of all road traffic deaths attributed to alcohol consumption over the national legal limit for alcohol consumption. It’s estimated that globally around 1.4 percent of the population have an alcohol use disorder. At the country level, as shown in the chart, this ranges from around 0.5 to 5 percent of the population. In Russia, for example, the prevalence is 4.7 percent meaning that almost 1-in-20 have an alcohol dependence at any given time.
Why do people drink too much?
One model proposes that negative emotions (e.g., anxiety or depression), the expectation that alcohol will relieve these feelings, and coping styles characterized by avoiding rather than confronting life issues all may increase a person's motivation to drink in order to cope with stress.
As the map shows, the average per capita alcohol consumption varies widely across the world. Because chronic use of alcohol decreases your appetite and keeps your body from absorbing vital nutrients, you may be deficient in a number of vitamins and minerals. Your doctor may tell you to take supplements while you are regaining your health. Beneficial supplements may include vitamin B complex, vitamin C, selenium, magnesium, and zinc. A combination of amino acids, such as carnitine, glutamine, and glutathione, may help reduce cravings, blood sugar fluctuations, and stress that is related to alcohol use.
Older Adults
Once you’re well enough to leave, you’ll need to continue to receive treatment on an outpatient basis. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. While some research suggests that small sober house amounts of alcohol may have beneficial cardiovascular effects, there is widespread agreement that heavier drinking can lead to health problems. Although severe alcohol problems get the most public attention, even mild to moderate problems cause substantial damage to individuals, their families and the community.
Severe AUD is sometimes called alcoholism or alcohol dependence. If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group.