Alcoholism

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used drug in Australia today. Drinking alcohol in moderation (up to 4 standard drinks per day for men and 2 standard drinks per day for women) is acceptable for many people, but regularly drinking more than this may be harmful to mental and physical health. One standard drink equals 10 grams of alcohol; which roughly translates into one glass of full strength beer (285 mls) or two 285ml glasses of light beer, or five 285ml glasses of super light beer. It is also equal to one small (100ml) glass of wine, one measure (30ml) of spirits or one 60ml glass of fortified wine such as sherry or port. 

What are alcohol problems?

When you drink more than the recommended limit of alcohol on a regular basis, this may have a harmful effect on many of the body's systems and organs, including the brain. Many illnesses such as heart disease, certain cancers, kidney and liver disease can be caused by alcohol abuse. In terms of mental health, alcohol can become a problem when you continue to drink despite the problems caused by it. Over time, the body builds up a tolerance to alcohol, meaning that you have to drink more to get the same effects – this can lead to physical addiction to the alcohol. Sometimes people use alcohol as an escape from difficult situations or feelings and eventually lose their ability to cope with day to day life without drinking. Areas of the person’s life such as personal relationships, family responsibilities, work, accommodation and education may become neglected as the person's use of alcohol becomes more and more important to them. Many assaults, homicides, accidents and incidents of domestic violence are precipitated by the use of alcohol. Drug use is a factor in about one in five of all deaths in Australia. According to recent statistics in Australia, 23,313 deaths were attributed to drug use in 1998. Of these, 19, 019 deaths were related to tobacco use, 3,271 deaths related to alcohol use and 1, 023 deaths related to illicit drug use (Australian Drug Foundation). Accidents are more common when people are intoxicated and are unable to pay attention to, and respond appropriately to, dangerous situations such as driving a car or crossing a road. A large number of pedestrians involved in traffic accidents in NSW are affected by drugs or alcohol. Some people find it difficult to control their use of alcohol and find themselves drinking more than they intended to. People drink to relax, have fun, fit in with a group, out of curiosity or to escape from physical or emotional pain. 

What are the Symptoms?

Alcohol is a 'depressant' meaning that it slows down the nervous system. Depressants tend to make the person’s thinking slower and can make them drowsy and uncoordinated. Emotions that the person is feeling tend to be intensified, so if they are feeling angry for example, they may feel angrier. Signs that you may have a problem with alcohol include: 

  • drinking heavily when you are disappointed, under pressure or have had a quarrel with someone
  • being able to handle more alcohol now than when you first started to drink – building up a physical tolerance to alcohol
  • memory loss and forgetting what happened when you were drinking
  • drinking alone or 'sneaking in' extra drinks so that other people don't notice how much you are drinking
  • feeling uncomfortable if alcohol is not available
  • feeling guilty about your drinking
  • drinking earlier on in the day, or first thing in the morning
  • a family member or close friend has expressed concern or complained about your drinking
  • having memory 'blackouts' recently
  • often wanting to continue drinking after your friends say they've had enough
  • when you're sober, sometimes regretting things you did or said while drinking
  • trying different ways to stop drinking without success
  • legal problems related to your drinking, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or assaulting someone whilst drunk
  • avoiding family or close friends while you are drinking
  • having more financial, work, school and/or family problems as a result of your drinking
  • eating very little or irregularly during the periods when you are drinking
  • having the 'shakes' in the morning and finding that it helps to have a another drink, tranquiliser or other medication
  • sometimes staying drunk for several days at a time
  • after periods of drinking, sometimes seeing or hearing things that aren't there
  • feeling depressed or anxious before, during or after of heavy drinking Alcohol Dependence

Physical dependence on alcohol occurs when your body becomes so used to alcohol that you have to drink more and more to get the same effect. When there is no alcohol in your body, symptoms of dependence occur, including the following:

  • Nausea, vomiting and headaches
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Sweating profusely
  • Craving for more alcohol
  • Flu-like symptoms

What is the cause of alcohol problems?

Problems are usually caused by a combination of factors unique to each person:

  • Genes – research indicates that alcoholism may have a genetic basis
  • Family history – alcoholism tends to 'run in families' although it is unclear whether this is due to genetic factors or learned behaviour that is passed down through generations
  • Stressful or traumatic life experiences can be the catalyst for the person drinking to excess
  • Social factors – the availability and price of alcohol affects how much it is used, also whether or not alcohol is socially acceptable

What help is available?

Detoxification

If you are physically dependent on alcohol, you may need to get rid of the alcohol in your system. This is known as detoxifying or 'detox'. There are various ways to detox; it can be done at home with assistance from your doctor or in a medical facility such as a hospital or specialised detox service. Medications can sometimes be given to help ease the withdrawal symptoms. NOTE: If you experience delirium tremens (the DTs, or the 'shakes') seek immediate medical help. In extreme cases this can be fatal. 

Rehabilitation

After detoxing, it is important to make life changes that will help you avoid starting drinking again. Rehabilitation involves counselling, education, living skills and other supports. 

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is non-professional, selfsupporting, non-denominational, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. Meetings are attended on a regular basis and members go through their own journey of the '12 step' program. Many people all over the world have found A.A. to be helpful and effective but it is not for everyone. The best thing to do is to learn about it and decide whether the program sounds right for you. 

What can I do to help myself?

  • Educate yourself about drugs and addiction through reading books and reputable websites such as those listed below
  • Take it one day at a time – it may be too overwhelming to think of staying away from drugs forever. Make a promise to yourself not to use drugs today and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. It takes the majority of people more than one attempt to stop using drugs, so don't label yourself a failure if you lapse. 
  • Allow drug treatments, such as rehabilitation, time to work. Staying in treatment for longer periods helps avoid relapse.
  • Society holds a strong stigma against people who are addicted to drugs. Try to remember that you are more than just your drug addiction; you are also a son or daughter, a parent, a friend, someone with their unique set of hopes, fears, dreams, strengths and weaknesses. Getting to know and accept yourself as you are will help you to stop using drugs.

Families and Friends

It can be frustrating when someone you love is using drugs, particularly as it is impossible to force someone to stop using or to receive treatment. There are some things you can do that may help: 

  • Don't try to protect the user from the results of his or her drug use. By making excuses for the person, you are 'enabling' them to continue using without experiencing the consequences. For example, your loved one might ask you to call in sick to their workplace for them when they are suffering a drug ‘come-down’. If you agree, they do not have to accept the consequences of their drug use and may see no reason to stop.
  • Find out about local treatment options and pass this information on
  • When talking to your loved one about the problem, use specific, recent examples of their drug use to support what you are saying. The best time to approach the person may be soon after a drug-related incident has occurred 
  • Maintain your own boundaries and be clear on what you will and will not tolerate. Explain to the person what you will need to do if they don't get help. This should not be done in a 'threatening' way, but in a way that tells the person that you have limits and that there are consequences of their drug use. 
  • Consider finding support and understanding from a support group for the families of drug users, such as Family Drug Support.

Further reading

We sell the following titles through the Mental Health Information Service:

  • Dealing with Heroin Use
  • Dealing with Cannabis Use
  • Mulling It Over (marijuana)
  • Drugs in Focus
  • Double Trouble (dual diagnosis)

Or from bookshops:

How to Quit Drugs for Good: A Complete Self-Help Guide by Jerry Dorsman, Crown Publishing Group, 1998, ISBN: 0761515178

Under the Influence for Parents: The Truth about Kids, Alcohol, and Other Drugs, How to Recognize the Problem and What to Do about It by Katherine Ketcham, Ballantine Books, 2003, ISBN: 034545734X

Ballantine Books, 2003, ISBN: 034545734X

Where to get help