More than 3 million people die yearly from alcohol abuse. Therefore, alcohol abuse is a serious problem. Alcohol abuse is also the first step toward alcohol use disorder.
Also known as alcohol misuse, this refers to repeated patterns of excessive alcohol intake. Most people who abuse alcohol take a lot of drinks daily.
Alcohol abuse can harm your social and personal life. It can also affect productivity at work.
As earlier stated, alcohol abuse is also the first step towards alcohol use disorder (alcoholism). It can also have an impact on your health in the short and long term.
The effect of consistently abusing alcohol is usually felt in the body. A person who abuses alcohol might develop health complications such as
Prolonged excessive intake of alcohol can adversely affect bone density. This might lead to a longer healing time for injuries.
The danger with alcohol abuse is that most adverse effects are not felt immediately. So, people keep abusing alcohol until it is too late.
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Knowing how to measure a drink is important in calculating the acceptable number of drinks. A drink is
Alcohol abuse refers to a few episodes of alcohol abuse. Sometimes, alcohol abuse can be consistent. However, alcohol addiction is a medical condition.
People who suffer from alcohol addiction experience intense cravings. In other words, they depend on alcohol to function. A person who abuses alcohol might not be dependent on it.
Alcohol abuse usually leads to addiction (alcoholism).
Symptoms include
Diagnosis is usually carried out by a health care professional. They will ask several questions to ascertain if your condition has escalated to alcohol use disorder.
Questions they might ask include
They might also ask for physical and mental examinations to rule out any other conditions.
As earlier stated, alcohol can have devastating effects on the body. In addition, it can also affect the absorption of important nutrients. One such nutrient is thiamine.
Thiamine maintains the functioning of the brain. When alcohol is misused, this problem becomes more pronounced.
Thus, supplements containing thiamine can be very helpful.
Exercise is also an important natural remedy. Doing regular aerobic workouts is great for recovery. Abusing alcohol can lead to dehydration. So, make sure you keep yourself hydrated.
Meditating and mindfulness exercises are also great. Activities such as yoga and visualization can help you refocus your thoughts.
FDA has provided guidelines concerning medication for alcohol abuse. Currently, there are three recommended drugs.
They are
Also known as Antabuse, this drug intervenes in the body’s metabolism process. People who take this medication will vomit or suffer from nausea if they take alcohol. Disulfiram is taken orally.
This medication focuses on reducing alcohol cravings. It is administered by injection.
Also known as Campral, this medication tries to restore the brain’s chemical balance. It is taken orally.
Therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help adjust the person’s thinking pattern. Your healthcare expert might also recommend other forms of therapy.
Therapies usually go along with support groups and counseling. Support groups act as a form of good peer pressure.
These support groups usually meet in person or online. They can also be a great source of encouragement.
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You can avoid alcohol abuse by following these tips
Contact your doctor if you feel you are abusing alcohol. Do not let it develop into an alcohol use disorder (AUD). If you have a friend or family member that is abusing alcohol, encourage them to seek help.
The earlier they do, the better.
Alcohol abuse is a serious problem. Yet, it is just the first step toward alcohol use disorder which is much more serious.
So, seek medical help for your condition. Doing so will help you avoid the disastrous consequences that follow.
The road to recovery after addiction treatment takes commitment and will. Our supportive and dedicated team at Golden Gate Recovery is here to assist you every step of the way. If you have any questions about the Aftercare program at Golden Gate Recovery, please call today.
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