Alcohol Abuse – When Drinking Becomes A Problem

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You’re guilty of second-degree alcohol abuse if you’re a woman who has more than three drinks every day or more than 21 drinks per week. If you’re a man who has more than five drinks every day or 35 drinks per week, then you’re guilty of abusing the alcoholic drink too. Drinking alcohol becomes a problem when we have to “drink to sleep” or “drink to relax” or when we’re consuming alcohol to avoid sadness, to be more sociable or to overcome a hangover. Alcohol abuse is different from alcohol dependence because there is no withdrawal or physical tolerance involved, but rather, a psychological affinity for drinking.

Can problem drinkers simply cut down on alcohol consumption to combat their abuse of alcohol? The answer to this popular question all depends upon the individual. For the most successful recovery from alcoholism, abstinence is really the only cure. On the other hand, people who have experienced alcohol related problems, but aren’t actually alcohol dependent, may be able to cut back on their own. Before hitting “rock bottom,” it’s recommended that the drinkers stop covering up their alcohol consumption, read information on alcoholism to assess the situation and avoid situations where alcohol will be involved.

Some of the physical symptoms of alcohol abuse emerge over time in some of the more advanced stages. Common symptoms include “the shakes,” nausea, nervousness, anxiety, sweating and depression. Often there is a loss of appetite and the individual needs to drink more and more to sustain a buzz. Cravings may drive the person to drinking alcohol every weekend or even every day. Delirium Tremens (DTs) is the ultimate manifestation of severe alcohol abuse, with the drinker suffering hallucinations, nausea, agitation, confusion, the shakes and panic attacks from alcohol related withdrawal. In 5-15% of these cases, the person may die unless treated by a medical professional.

Perhaps the person with a propensity to engage in alcohol abuse suffered cycles of excess and deprivation as a child, or perhaps trauma and overall unhappiness is causing some people to self-medicate with alcoholic drink. If they’re naturally reckless, impulsive, rebellious, authoritarian or alienated, then perhaps it’s deeply embedded in one’s personality type. Scientists have many theories about what specifically causes one to abuse alcohol. The best treatments are patient-chosen and range from AA meetings, long term alcohol clinics, alcohol drugs, psychotherapy and abstinence.