ALCOHOLISM

General Information

DEFINITION--A psychological and physiological dependence on alcohol, resulting in chronic disease and disruption of interpersonal, family and work relationships.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Brain; central nervous system; liver; heart.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes, but occurs 4 times more often in men than women. The incidence of alcoholism in children is increasing.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Early stages:

• Low tolerance for anxiety.
• Need for alcohol at the beginning of the day or at times of stress.
• Insomnia; nightmares.
• Habitual Monday-morning hangovers and frequent absences from work.
• Preoccupation with obtaining alcohol and hiding drinking from family and friends.
• Guilt or irritability when others suggest drinking is excessive.

Late stages:

• Frequent blackouts; memory loss.
• Delirium tremens (tremors, hallucinations, confusion, sweating, rapid heartbeat). These occur most often with alcohol withdrawal.
• Liver disease.
• Neurological impairment (numbness and tingling in hands and feet, declining sexual interest and potency, confusion, coma).
• Congestive heart failure (shortness of breath, swelling of feet).

CAUSES--

Not fully understood, but include:

• Personality factors, especially dependency, anger, mania, depression or introversion.
• Family influences, especially alcoholic or divorced parents.
• Social and cultural pressure to drink.
• Body-chemistry disturbances (perhaps).

> Genetic factors. Some ethnic groups have high alcoholism rates--

either for social or biological reasons.

• Use of recreational drugs.
• Crisis situations, including unemployment, frequent moves, or loss of friends or family.
• Environmental factors such as ready availability, affordability and social acceptance of alcohol in the culture group, work group or social group.

> Use alcohol in moderation--if at all--to provide a healthy role model. Set limits, drink slowly, dilute drinks and don't drink alone.

> Help a spouse, friend or co-worker to admit when an alcohol problem exists and seek help.

• Learn other ways to cope with problems.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Medical history and physical by a doctor.
• EEG (See Glossary) and laboratory studies of blood and liver function.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care. The first and most difficult step of treatment is admitting the problem exists.
• Doctor's treatment, psychotherapy or counseling.
• May require detoxification.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Chronic and progressive liver disease.
• Gastric erosion, stomach inflammation.
• Neuritis, tremors, seizures, memory loss and brain impairment
• Pancreas and heart inflammation.
• Impotence and other sexual problems.
• Mental and physical damage to the fetus if a woman drinks during pregnancy (fetal alcohol syndrome).
• Loss of job, friends and breaking up of family.
• Premature death.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--With abstinence (absence of alcohol or drugs), sobriety is a way of life. The change in lifestyle is difficult and relapses occur. If you are determined to give up alcohol, you can.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Treatment involves short-term care that stops the drinking and long-term help to treat the problem that caused the alcoholism.
• Join a local Alcoholics Anonymous or other support group and attend regularly. Members help each other to stay away from alcohol.
• Reassess your lifestyle to identify and alter factors that encourage drinking.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe disulfiram (Antabuse), which causes several extremely unpleasant physical symptoms when alcohol is consumed.

ACTIVITY--Don't drink and drive.

DIET--Normal, well-balanced diet.

Call Your Doctor If

You or a family member have symptoms of alcoholism.