Alcohol Dependence

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What is Alcohol Dependence?

What is Alcohol Dependence?

Alcohol Dependence also known as Alcoholism refers to conditions that appear from the continued or excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol Dependence is a disease which results in an excessive use of alcohol, no matter the negative consequences which may appear. Alcoholism also refers to the inability of the person who consumes alcohol to see the negative aspects of it. The factors which lead to Alcohol Dependence are generally considered to be the following:

  • The quantity of alcohol intake
  • The frequency of the alcohol intake
  • The regularity of alcohol consumption which varies among persons
  • Genetic factors can make the patients to be vulnerable to alcoholism.
  • Psychological factors such as depression make persons to be more attracted of the alcohol consumption.
  • Emotional state – stress, anxiety, and emotional pain can lead to alcohol consumption.
  • Social and cultural factors – the way that the commercials about alcohol are mare may stimulate some people to drink, as they think that alcohol is not harmful in high quantities.

Here is a list of the possible complications of Alcohol Dependence / alcoholism – medical and social:

  • Liver disorders
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Cardiovascular problems
  • Diabetes complications
  • Sexual and menstruation dysfunctions
  • Birth defects
  • Fatigue
  • Short time memory loss
  • Impairs speech
  • Impairs muscle coordination
  • Bone loss
  • Life threatening coma
  • Neurological complications
  • Increases the risk of developing esophagus, larynx, liver and colon cancers
  • Domestic abuse
  • Poor performances in school, or at the job
  • Suicide or even murder
  • Accidental injuries
  • Vehicle accidents
  • Arrest

For a good video explaining what Alcohol Dependence is check this:

Alcohol Dependence Symptoms

It is well known the fact that any medical disorder (including Alcohol Dependence) can trigger a variety of symptoms. Therefore, some of this medical condition's most uncommon symptoms have not been listed here. This is why we strongly recommend you to contact your personal health care provider whenever you develop any unusual, bothersome or unpleasant alcohol dependence symptoms. Your personal physician will be able to tell you if you are suffering from Alcohol Dependence or from any other medical disorder.

Here is a list of the most common Alcohol Dependence symptoms and signs:

  • Feeling the need of drinking
  • The inability to limit the quantity of alcohol intake
  • Drinking alone
  • Drinking in secret
  • Making a drinking program before, while and after the meals.
  • The lost of interest in the daily activities, hobbies and job
  • Irritability
  • Gulping drinks
  • Legal problems
  • Tolerance to alcohol that will lead to bigger quantities of alcohol intake
  • Keeping the alcohol in the care, at work, or in weird places at home
  • Nausea
  • Sweating
  • Shaking
  • Anxiety
  • Agitation
  • Insomnia
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Fever
  • Tachycardia
  • High or low blood pressure
  • Mental disturbances
  • Multiple seizures
  • Delirium which can include: hallucinations, confusion etc.
  • Loss of control
  • Craving for alcohol
  • Physical dependence
  • Abdominal pain
  • Numbness of the hands and legs
  • Swelling of the liver
  • Red eyes
  • Puffy face
  • Vomiting
  • Heart failure
  • Brain damage
  • Obesity
  • Muscle diseases
  • Skin problems

Alcohol Dependence Treatment

The first step in treating Alcohol Dependence is to determine the grade of the dependence. The treatment is usually based on controlling the desire of drinking, reducing drinking, abstinence and group therapy such as Alcoholics Anonymous (also known as AA).  The Alcohol Dependence treatment can involve the following steps:

  • Detoxification – the treatment is form four to ten days, and may include taking sedatives in order to stop the delirium or seizures.
  • Medical assessment – treating the high or low blood pressure, the increased sugar levels in the blood, liver diseases and even heart diseases, if they exist.
  • Psychological and psychiatric treatments – include the group therapy, in which the patients receive advices and support to quit drinking.
  • Accepting the abstinence – an effective treatment is based on the patients acceptance of abstinence, and this involves recognizing that they are alcohol addicts and that they are unable to control the intake of alcohol.
  • Making new friends may also help in the Alcohol Dependence treatment’s course.
  • Living in a “safe” environment, where there is no alcohol which may tempt the patients to drink again, especially in the first weeks of the treatment.
  • Drug treatments – here is a list of the most recommended drugs used in the Alcohol Dependence treatment:
  • Disulfiram (also known as Antabuse) – while patients are under treatment with this drug, it is recommended to avoid the alcohol intake, as the medication in combination with alcohol can lead to severe physical reactions, such as flushing, nausea, headaches, vomiting.
  • Naltrexone (also known under brand names Revia, Vivitrol, Nalorex and more)
  • Acamprosate (also known as Campral)
  • Lorazepam (also known as Ativan)
  • Diazepam ( also known as Valium)
  • Sertraline
  • Fluoxetine (also known as Prozac)
  • Continuing support – family, relatives and friends should support the patient to abstain from drinking and should help them to recover from alcoholism.

Here is a list of reasons to quit drinking and begin the Alcohol Dependence treatments listed above:

  • Pregnancy – it is not safe to drink during the pregnancy as it affects the fetus. The baby whose mother was drinking during pregnancy may be born with mental retardation, behavioral problems and also learning problems.
  • Age – Alcohol Dependence affects people differently in correlation with their age. Older people may develop problems with hearing, seeing, low tolerance to alcohol, slow reaction times.
  • The sex – women are affected differently from men, as they become impaired. The medical problems such as liver, heart and brain damages develop rapidly in women.
  • Heart problems – it is true that the persons who drink moderately have a lower risk of developing a heart problem than those people who do not drink, but these should not be a reason to become an alcoholic.
  • Drug treatment – if the patient is undergoing drug treatment, he must not drink, as almost all the medicines interact harmfully in combination with alcohol. Medicines such as sleeping pills, antihistamines, anti-anxiety, antidepressants and pain killers must not be taken with alcohol, as taking them with alcohol can lead to the depression of the central nervous system.

More on Alcohol dependence

Since you're here on this page you already know that the internet provides a wealth of information on Alcohol Dependence (and just about any other subject you can think of). Finding support groups for alcoholics, treatment centers in your area or just detailed information you can learn from is never more than a few clicks away when you use Google or any other search engine.

Of course you may prefer to learn by reading a book about Alcohol Dependence and if so we can recommend Amazon:

Treating Alcohol Dependence: A Coping Skills Training Guide
Treating Alcohol Dependence: A Coping Skills Training Guide
List Price: $35.00
Sale Price: $28.00
You save: $7.00 (20%)
  Eligible for free shipping!
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Description

This book presents a straightforward, multi-session coping skills training program that has been proven effective in helping alcohol-dependent individuals. The volume provides everything needed to implement the program, including a clear theoretical and empirical rationale, step-by-step session guidelines, helpful clinical pointers, and more than 40 reproducible client handouts, assessment instruments, and therapist forms...

Crossing the Line From Alcohol Use to Abuse to Dependence: Debunking Myths About Drinking Alcohol That Can Cause a Person to Cross the Line
Crossing the Line From Alcohol Use to Abuse to Dependence: Debunking Myths About Drinking Alcohol That Can Cause a Person to Cross the Line

Description

You have likely heard one or more of the following statements:• Drinking coffee sobers a person up.• Alcoholism is not a disease. Cancer is a disease. Alcoholism is a choice - put down the bottle!• Letting your teen drink at home teaches them how to drink safely...

A Choice Theory Approach to Drug and Alcohol Abuse
A Choice Theory Approach to Drug and Alcohol Abuse
List Price: $9.99

Description

A Choice Theory Approach to Drug and Alcohol Abuse offers a new approach to treating drug and/or alcohol abuse. It is valuable not only to an alcoholic or addict, but to those who love or live with one...

Blood-Alcohol Concentration (Drugs 101)
Blood-Alcohol Concentration (Drugs 101)
List Price: $2.99

Description

This concise summary of "need-to-know" information about Blood-Alcohol Concentration answers these important questions. What Is Blood-Alcohol Concentration? What Is "Proof?" How Much Alcohol Do Alcohol Products Contain? How Does Volume Affect BAC? How Does One Calculate BAC? What Determines BAC? How Does BAC Affect The Drinker? How Long Does It Take To Lower BAC? How Can Someone Control BAC? What Happens When Someone Combines Alcohol With Other Drugs? How Can One Prevent Drunk Driving? Where Can I Learn More About BAC?



We hope you've found this page of value and that you can use the information provided about Alcohol Dependence.

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