STATISTICS ABOUT ALCOHOL USE

Six People
Die every day from alcohol poisoning

23 Percent
of admissions to public treatment centers are due to alcohol abuse

14.5 Million
people suffered from alcohol use disorders in 2019

5 FAST FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL

1. Alcohol abuse is associated with an increased risk for health problems such as liver disease, pancreatitis, high blood pressure and heart attack.

2. Alcohol use disorder is linked to several mental illnesses, such as major depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

3. Too much alcohol affects the vital centers of your brain. A heavy drinking binge can even cause coma or death.

4. Heavy drinking lowers your judgement skills and inhibitions, which can lead to dangerous situations such as car accidents, committing crimes and problems with other substance use.

5. Over time, excessive alcohol use can change the parts of your brain that aid in judgment, experiencing pleasure and controlling your behavior.

SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOL ADDICTION

  • Increased quantity or frequency of alcohol use.
  • High tolerance for alcohol
  • Strong cravings to drink alcohol
  • Unsuccessful attempts to reduce drinking.
  • Drinking at inappropriate times such as first thing in the morning.
  • Needing alcohol to function in everyday life.
  • Hiding alcohol
 

SHORT TERM EFFECTS
OF ALCOHOL ABUSE

  • Lowered inhibitions
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Slow reaction time
  • Loss of coordination
  • Loss of judgment
  • Mood swings
  • Passing out
  • Vomiting
 

LONG TERM EFFECTS
OF ALCOHOL ABUSE

  • Memory loss
  • Loss of attention span
  • Trouble learning
  • High blood pressure
  • Cancers of the throat, mouth, larynx,
    Liver, breast, and colon
  • Stroke
  • Irregular heartbeat
 

SIGNS OF ALCOHOL POISONING

  • Confusions
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Unconsciousness
  • Low body temperature
 

STAGES OF ALCOHOLISM

Knowing the stages of alcoholism can help you as you determine what your options are for detoxification and treatment. There are four stages of alcoholism:

TYPES OF ALCOHOLICS

According to American addiction centers, there are five types of alcoholics:

pre-alcoholic

You're still primarily drinking socially but with in-creasing frequency; you begin to build tolerance.

Early alcoholic

Occurs after your first alcohol-related black-out, you begin to experience an inability to resist alcohol, you may be lying about drinking, have increased tolerance and are obsessing about alcohol.

MIDDLE ALCOHOLIC

When you begin missing work or social obligations, become irritable, experience body changes such as weight gain/loss and you may make attempts to stop drinking.

LATE ALCOHOLIC

When serious health problems develop, you experience job loss and drinking is the most important thing in your life.

No matter what stage of alcoholism you are in – you can overcome your alcohol dependence and recover through detox, rehab and therapy.

YOUNG ADULT ALCOHOLIC

The most common type of alcoholic; drinks on a few occasions but engages in binge drinking on those occasions.

YOUNG ANTISOCIAL ALCOHOLICS

Characterized by antisocial personality disorder, this type of alcoholic usually begins drinking around age 15 and is now in their mid-20's; suffers from alcohol cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

FUNCTIONAL ALCOHOLIC

Does not fit into the traditional stereotypes of an alcoholic; has a job and family life, separates their drinking from the rest of their life.

INTERMEDIATE FAMILIAL ALCOHOLIC

Usually middle-aged; has family history of alcoholism; nearly half struggle with clinical depression and use alcohol to self-medicate.

CHRONIC SEVERE ALCOHOLIC

Started drinking at a young age; the majority have a family history of alcoholism; often smoke cigarettes and suffer from dependence on other substances; often experiences legal troubles.

TREATMENT FOR ALCOHOL ADDICTION

Treatment for alcoholism can include various methods but it typically involves three steps

1.Detoxification
This is the first step of alcohol addiction treatment. It should be completed with the help of a medical professional.

2. Rehab
There are two types of rehabs that can help with recovery from alcohol addiction.

  • Inpatient – Intensive treatment programs that require you to check into a facility for a short-period of time.
  • Outpatient – A program in which individuals participate in recovery while living at home and continue with daily life.

3. Maintenance
After completing rehab, you will need to engage in certain methods to maintain your sobriety. This can include attending individual counseling or group therapy/support groups such as alcoholics anonymous.

  • Counseling/Therapy
  • Alcoholics Anonymous and other support groups.