Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Alcohol Abuse

You enjoy drinking now and then; celebrating the completion of an extensive project, at parties and social events, or with friends after a long day of classes. Drinking can be a beneficial or harmful practice depending on how much you drink, with what frequency, and your age and health status. There is a fine line between enjoying an alcoholic beverage and escalated alcohol abuse. The following information is provided by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.

Should you feel you have a problem with alcohol please contact local resources to help you deal with this issue.

How do I know if it’s okay to drink?

The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that if you choose to drink alcoholic beverages, do not exceed 1 drink per day for women or 2 drinks per day for men. According to the guidelines, people who should not drink alcoholic beverages at all include the following:

• Children and adolescents
• Individuals of any age who cannot limit their drinking to low level
• Women who may become pregnant or who are pregnant
• Individuals who plan to drive, operate machinery, or take part in other activities that require attention, skill, or coordination
• Individuals taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that can interact with alcohol
• Individuals with certain medical conditions
• Persons recovering from alcoholism

What does heavy drinking mean?

For men, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming an average of more than 2 drinks per day. For women, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming an average of more than 1 drink per day. Binge drinking, on the other hand, is defined as a pattern of alcohol consumption that brings the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level to 0.08% or more. This pattern of drinking usually corresponds to 5 or more drinks on a single occasion for men or 4 or more drinks on a single occasion for women, generally within about 2 hours.

What is the difference between alcoholism and alcohol abuse?

Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in harm to one’s health, interpersonal relationships, or ability to work. Manifestations of alcohol abuse include the following:

• Failure to fulfill major responsibilities at work, school, or home.
• Drinking in dangerous situations, such as drinking while driving or operating machinery.
• Legal problems related to alcohol, such as being arrested for drinking while driving or for physically hurting someone while drunk.
• Continued drinking despite ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by drinking.
• Long-term alcohol abuse can turn into alcohol dependence.

Dependency on alcohol, also known as alcohol addiction and alcoholism⁴, is a chronic disease. The signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence include:

• A strong craving for alcohol
• Continued use despite repeated physical, psychological, or interpersonal problems
• The inability to limit drinking

Alcohol intoxication can be harmful for a variety of reasons, including:

• Impaired brain function resulting in poor judgment, reduced reaction time, loss of balance and motor skills, or slurred speech
• Dilation of blood vessels causing a feeling of warmth but resulting in rapid loss of body heat
• Increased risk of certain cancers, stroke, and liver diseases (e.g., cirrhosis), particularly when excessive amounts of alcohol are consumed over extended periods of time
• Damage to a developing fetus if consumed by pregnant women⁵
• Increased risk of motor-vehicle traffic crashes, violence, and other injuries

• Coma and death can occur if alcohol is consumed rapidly and in large amounts.

If you choose to drink alcohol try these tips to keep yourself safe:

• Limit yourself to one drink per hour (that’s all your body can metabolize!)
• Alternate each alcoholic beverage with a full glass of water.
• Set a limit before you start and stick to it!
• Count your drinks. Be creative-you can use the tab of a beer can, bottle cap or straw to help you keep count.
• Pour your own drinks and know what a standard drink is. Count accordingly!
• Stay SAFE! Go home with the same group that you left with and keep an eye on each other throughout the night!
• Eat a full meal before drinking to slow down the absorption rate.
• Don’t Accept opened drink containers from anyone you do not know well or trust.
• Be your own person – don't get caught up in peer pressure.

Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is a major public health problem that affects millions of people and places enormous financial and social burdens on society.  It destroys families, damages the economy, victimizes communities, and places extraordinary demands on the education, criminal justice, and social service systems.  Addiction has the possibility of being a life-long condition that can destroy relationship, jobs, finances, and lives.  It is has its roots in genetic susceptibility, social circumstance, and personal behavior. Recognizing and seeking treatment for drug addiction is a difficult and often lengthy process.

If you feel you may have an issue with drug abuse please contact local treatment resources and seek the help you need.

How do I know if I have a drinking or drug abuse problem?

Drinking is a problem if it causes trouble in your relationships, in school, in social activities, or in how you think and feel. If you are concerned that either you or someone in your family might have a drinking problem, consult your personal health care provider.

What can I do if I or someone I know has a drinking or drug abuse problem?

Consult your personal health care provider if you feel you or someone you know has a drinking problem. Other resources include the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service available at 1-800-662-HELP. This service can provide you with information about treatment programs in your local community and allow you to speak with someone about alcohol problems.

Other local resources for substance abuse are: