Alcohol Abuse Vs. Dependency
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- It is important to distinguish the difference between alcohol abuse and dependence
- Both can cause significant problems in a persons life, but each one requires a different path of treatment
- Both can cause significant problems in a persons life, but each one requires a different path of treatment
Abuse -
- Occurs when a person consumes alcohol regularly
- Causes substantial difficulties with normal everyday tasks
- Is associated with; poor decision making, difficulty getting along with others, and difficulty caring for oneself and others (children)
- Associated with alcohol abuse but difficulties become more complicated when physical addiction develops
- Two key terms associated with dependency: tolerance and withdrawal
- Tolerance occurs when a person needs more and more alcohol to get the same experience and feeling they had when they first began drinking
- Withdrawal symptoms develop when someone has become physically addicted to alcohol and then stops drinking abruptly
Withdrawal Symptoms -
Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium -
- Withdrawal symptoms can be physical, behavioral, or psychological
- Physical symptoms include rapid heartbeat, sweating, and tremors
- Psychological and behavioral symptoms include: agitation, irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and inability to experience pleasure
- Korsakoff's Syndrome - a memory disorder caused by a vitamin deficiency (thiamine) associated with alcoholism. Alcoholics often fail to get adequate nutrition which results in vitamin deficiencies. This specific deficiency results in short-term memory loss.
- Physical withdrawal symptoms can subside after a few days, however psychological symptoms can linger. If left untreated can be a significant cause of relapse
Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium -
- Can occur 2-3 days after alcohol consumption has stopped
- This is a medical emergency and if symptoms are left untreated can progress to death
- Symtoms include: severe disorientation, psychotic symptoms (hallucinations), rapid increase in blood pressure, heart problems, and delirium
Risk Factors for Developing Alcohol Addiction -
- Social: peer pressure, lack of attachment with family and friends
- Environmental: Attachment to communities that are tolerant of addiction, or lack of involvement in communities
- Emotional: Primary or pre-existing conditions of anxiety, depression, anger, and loneliness