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Health Tips
Alcohol Awareness
How many people use alcohol?
General population
- Approximately 104 million Americans (47 percent of the population) 12 years and older have used alcohol in the past month. Of that number, 12.6 million people report heavy drinking.
Alcohol and youth
- Children 21 years and under drink 25 percent of the alcohol consumed in the U.S.
- More than five million high school students (31.5 percent) admit to binge drinking at least once a month.
- The gender gap that for generations separated alcohol consumption by girls and boys has evaporated. Male and female ninth graders are just as likely to drink (40.2 percent and 41 percent) and binge drink (21.7 percent and 20.2 percent).
Older adults
- It is estimated that over 5 million persons 55 and older are "binge" alcohol users, including more than 1 million who are heavy alcohol users.
Does alcohol affect women differently?
Yes, women become more impaired than men do after drinking the same amount of alcohol, even when differences in body weight are taken into account. This is because women's bodies have less water than men's bodies. Because alcohol mixes with body water, a given amount of alcohol becomes more highly concentrated in a woman's body than in a man's.
What is alcohol abuse?
Alcohol abuse (sometimes referred to as an alcohol problem) differs from alcoholism in that it does not include a strong craving for alcohol, loss of control over drinking or physical dependence. Alcohol abuse is defined as a pattern of drinking that results in one or more of the following situations within a 12-month period:
- Failure to fulfill major work, school, or home responsibilities.
- Drinking in situations that are physically dangerous, such as while driving a car or operating machinery.
- Having recurring alcohol-related legal problems, such as being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or for physically hurting someone while drunk.
- Continued drinking despite having ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by the drinking.
Are there different types of alcohol abuse?
Yes, alcohol problems occur along a continuum of severity. The most common alcohol problems include binge drinking, alcohol abuse, and alcohol dependence (also referred to as alcoholism).
Binge drinking is defined as the consumption of five or more drinks at one sitting for males and three or more drinks at one sitting for females.
What to do when your child has been drinking?
When you discover your child has been drinking, wait until you're calm-and your child is completely sober-before trying to talk to him or her. Be sure you and your spouse are consistent in your reactions. It may be tempting to dismiss your child's drinking as a natural part of growing up, but early disciplinary measures, such as suspension of privileges-may help avoid more serious problems in the future. Make the disciplinary measure meaningful enough so that your child can use it as an excuse not to drink whey they are around other kids who are drinking.
How can you tell whether you're abusing alcohol?
Answering the following four questions can help you find out:
- Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
- Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
- Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
- Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning (as an "eye opener") to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?
One "yes" answer suggests a possible alcohol problem. If you answered "yes" to more than one question, it is highly likely that a problem exists.
Even if you answered "no" to all of the above questions, if you encounter drinking-related problems with your job, relationships, health, or the law, you should seek professional help.
What is alcoholism?
Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol dependence," is a disease that includes four symptoms:
- Craving: A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
- Loss of control: The inability to limit one's drinking on any given occasion.
- Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
- Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to "get high."
How widespread of a problem is alcoholism?
- For most people who drink, alcohol is a pleasant accompaniment to social activities. Moderate alcohol use-up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and older people-is not harmful for most adults. (A standard drink is one 12-ounce bottle or can of either beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.)
- It is estimated that nearly 14 million Americans-1 in every 13 adults-abuse alcohol or are an alcoholic. In addition, more than half of all adults have a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking.
Things to consider when getting help
- Accepting the fact that help is needed for an alcohol problem may not be easy. But keep in mind that the sooner you get help, the better are your chances for a successful recovery.
- Alcoholism is a chronic disease that is no more a sign of weakness than is having asthma or diabetes.
- Taking steps to identify a possible drinking problem has an enormous payoff-and a chance for a healthier, more rewarding life.
Can Alcoholism Be Cured?
- Although alcoholism can be treated, a cure is not yet available.
- Even if an alcoholic has been sober for a long time and has regained health, he or she remains susceptible to relapse and must continue to avoid all alcoholic beverages. "Cutting down" on drinking doesn't work-it is necessary to cut out all alcohol for a successful recovery.
What does getting help mean?
Successful treatment from alcoholism is possible and available. The type of treatment one receives depends on the severity of alcoholism and the resources that are available in one's community. Treatment may include a combination of the following:
- Detoxification, the process of safely getting alcohol out of your system.
- Taking doctor-prescribed medications, such as disulfiram (Antabuse®) or naltrexone (ReVia™) to help prevent a return (or relapse) to drinking once drinking has stopped.
- Individual and/or group counseling. There are promising types of counseling that teach alcoholics to identify situations and feelings that trigger the urge to drink and to find new ways to cope that do not include alcohol use. These treatments are often provided on an outpatient basis. Because the support of family members is important to the recovery process, many programs also offer brief marital counseling and family therapy as part of the treatment process. Programs may also link individuals with vital community resources, such as legal assistance, job training, childcare, and parenting classes.
What is recovery and how long does it last?
- Recovery from alcoholism is a life long process that takes place over time, in specific stages. Each stage has tasks to be accomplished and skills to be developed. If a recovering person is unable to accomplish the tasks and gain the skills or lacks adequate treatment, he or she will relapse.
- Recovery frequently requires multiple episodes of treatment similar to other chronic illnesses. Relapses to alcohol use can occur during or after successful treatment episodes.
- Positive outcomes for recovery are related to adequate lengths of treatment. Generally, for residential or outpatient treatment, participation for less than 90 days is of limited or no effectiveness, and treatment lasting significantly longer is often recommended.
What is the role of family, friends, and community in the recovery process?
- Family and friends can play critical roles in motivating individuals with alcohol problems to enter treatment, stay in it, and maintain sobriety. Family therapy is also important, especially for adolescents.
- Community-based recovery groups, most often in the form of 12-step programs, (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous) can complement and extend the effects of professional treatment by supporting individuals throughout the recovery process.
- Research has shown that family and friends also need support programs to help them cope with alcoholism. Upon receiving support, they report strong improvements in their mental health, well-being, and ability to carry on daily activities as a result of attending 12-Step or other support programs.
What is the appropriate age to begin talking to children about drinking alcohol?
Parents of children five-to-nine years old can begin the process of teaching children about alcohol. Children in this age group need rules to guide their behavior and information to make good choices and decisions. Parents should talk about alcohol in the "here and now" and focus on events and people your child knows. It is important to be honest in explaining why you or other adults may choose to drink, but emphasize positive reasons for your child to wait before starting to drink.
Where can one find information on substance abuse treatment in their community?
Call 1-800-662-HELP, a toll-free referral helpline.
Where can one find more information on alcohol or alcoholism?
Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group Headquarters, Inc.
www.al-anon-alateen.org
Phone: Call toll-free 1-888-425-2666
Provides free informational materials and locations of Al-Anon or Alateen meetings worldwide.
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/
Phone: 212-870-3400
Provides information on membership and meetings.
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
www.ncadd.org
Phone: Call toll-free 1-800-NCA-CALL
Offers educational materials and information on alcoholism.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
www.niaaa.nih.gov
Phone: 301-443-3860
Provides free informational materials on all aspects of alcoholism, including the effects of drinking during pregnancy, alcohol use and the elderly, and help for cutting down on drinking.
What other events are happening during National Alcohol Awareness Month?
National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD) will be held April 11, 2002.
What is NASD?
- NASD is an outreach, education and screening program that raises awareness about alcohol misuse and refers individuals with alcohol problems for further evaluation. NASD is easy to implement and can be tailored to the specific needs of each community. The program addresses a range of drinking behaviors from risky drinking to alcohol dependence. This year, the focus of NASD will broaden to include information about the consequences of at-risk drinking and alcohol's effect on general health, as well as specific medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer.
- The program includes an educational presentation, a written screening questionnaire, and an opportunity for participants to meet with a health professional. Referrals are provided when appropriate.
How can I conduct an NASD in my community?
- Local health care facilities and colleges conduct the screening and related organizations such as community advocacy and prevention groups can partner with them by helping to staff and/or promote their screenings. Registered sites contribute the clinicians and administrative staff, provide the physical location for the event and actually promote and implement the program in their local communities.
- Contact the NASD office at 781-239-0071 or nasd@mentalhealthscreening.org for assistance in planning and promoting a screening in your community.
Sources
- Child Welfare League of America. (2001). AOD booklet-highlights [Fact Sheet]. Washington, DC: Author.
- National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. (2002). Teen tipplers: America's underage drinking epidemic. New York: Author.
- National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence [Home Page]. Available from NCADD Web site, http://www.ncadd.org
- National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence. (2001). What should I tell my child about drinking [Brochure]. New York: Author.
- National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism. (2001). Alcoholism-getting the facts [Fact Sheet]. Bethesda, MD: Author.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2001). General facts about drug and alcohol addiction, treatment, recovery, and use [National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month Fact Sheet]. Rockville, MD: Author.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2001). Summary of findings from the 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA Series: H-13, DHHS Publication No. SMA 01-3549). Rockville, MD: Author.
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