ALCOHOL ABUSE

Alcohol abuse can be influenced by a number of factors. Most people use alcohol socially to change how they feel because they want to feel better or different. They use alcohol for the perceived benefits, or the benefits experienced, not for the potential harm. People use alcohol to relax, have fun, to be part of a group, out of curiosity, and to escape from physical and/or psychological pain. Many of the reasons young people use alcohol are the same reasons adults use alcohol.

What causes alcohol abuse? Many factors influence a person's initial alcohol use. Personality characteristics, peer pressure, and psychological stress can all contribute to the early stage of alcohol abuse. These factors are less important as alcohol use continues and the person repeatedly experiences the potent pharmacological effects.

This chemical action, which stimulates certain brain systems, produces the abuse, while other psychological and social factors become less and less important in influencing the individual's behavior. When the pharmacological action of a drug dominates the individual's behavior and the normal psychological and social control of behavior is no longer effective, the abuse is fully developed. This chemically induced "loss of control" is a common feature of alcohol abuse and reflects the biological nature of the problem. People who are physically dependent on alcohol usually develop a tolerance. This means that they need to drink more and more to get the same effect.

School and job performance may suffer either from the aftereffects of drinking or from actual intoxication on the job or at school; child care or household responsibilities may be neglected; and alcohol-related absences may occur from school or job. The person may use alcohol in physically hazardous circumstances (e.g., driving an automobile or operating machinery while drunk).

Legal difficulties may arise because of alcohol use (e.g., arrests for intoxicated behavior or for driving under the influence). Finally, individuals with alcohol abuse problems may continue to consume alcohol despite the knowledge that continued consumption poses significant social or interpersonal problems for them (e.g., violent arguments with spouse while intoxicated, child abuse). When these problems are accompanied by evidence of tolerance, withdrawal, or compulsive behavior related to alcohol use, a diagnosis of alcohol addiction, rather than alcohol abuse, should be considered.

Alcoholics usually show symptoms of their abuse. Such symptoms include but are not limited to:
• Evidence of withdrawal - when intake is interrupted. (The Shakes)
• Tolerance - to the effects of alcohol.
• Alcohol-associated illnesses - alcoholic liver disease, cerebellar degeneration.
• Continued drinking - despite strong medical and social contradictions, and life disruptions.
• Impaired social and occupational functioning. (Unable to get along with others, unable to hold a job.)
• Blackouts - unable to remember what happened while drinking, in whole or part.
• Depression - A "down or sad mood" is common.