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Alcohol Abuse - Meaning, Causes, Symptoms, Effects, Treatment, Medication

APSARA KATUWAL DANGOL

In our society, we have seen many people drinking alcohol. Usually, we find alcohol intake in celebration time and when a person is depressed. There is a rumor that alcohol brings additional happiness during the celebration and makes a person get relief when there is a pain. There is no any evidence that how much these things have reality but it is 100 percent true that our society is mixed with Alcohol Abusers.


 Alcohol 
Alcohol (ethanol or ethyl alcohol) is the ingredient found in beer, wine, and spirits that cause drunkenness. Alcohol is formed when yeast ferments (breaks down without oxygen) the sugars in different food.

Abuse
Abuse means the use (something) to bad effect or for a bad purpose; misuse.

Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol Abuse is generally characterized by a maladaptive pattern of alcohol use leading to significant impairment or distress.

Causes
According to Talbott Recovery, there are five main causes of alcohol abuse and they are listed below:

  • Stressful Environment
  • Drinking at an early age
  • Mental health problems like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc
  • Taking alcohol with medicine
  • Family history(if there is record of family members being alcoholic)

Symptoms

  • •    Loss of interest in work or school.
  • •    Depression.
  • •    Less interactive with family or friends.
  • •    Restlessness.
  • •    Unable to control drinking.
  • •    Erratic behavior.
  • •    Violent behavior.
  • •    Less involvement in extracurricular activities.
  • •    Preoccupation with drinking.


Effects
Whenever a person drinks alcohol, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and shows an effect in every body part. Healthline has listed its 23 effects as follows:

  • Pain in Pancreas
  • Diabetic Danger Zone
  •  Problem in coordination while walking
  • Blackouts
  • Shifty eyes
  • Dependence on alcohol
  • Damaged digestive tract
  • Fighting Fatigue
  • Infertility-difficult to conceive
  • Skinny Skeleton
  • Susceptible to lung infection
  • Muscle Cramps
  • Birth Defects in child due to alcoholic mother
  • Sexual Dysfunction
  • Damage heart Muscle
  • Malnutrition
  • A loose tooth
  • Hallucination
  • Strange sensations
  • Shrinking frontal lobes
  • Slurred Speech
  • Liver can be destroyed due to harmful substance
  • Stomach distress like bloating, gas, painful ulcers


Treatment
There are options for the patient for their treatment and still, a hope can change their life.

Alcohol Treatment Centres
It is designed to help the patient to reduce or eliminate their dependency on alcohol and live a peaceful life. Initially, it might be hard to adjust but slowly treatment can really benefit.

Outpatient treatment
Outpatient treatment is also possible if a patient doesn't want to go in treatment centers. They can form the anonymous group to talk about their issues and help each other.

Medications
For alcohol withdrawal - Benzodiazepines, Phenothiazines, Anticonvulsants, Clonidine.
For liver disease - Lorazepam and Oxazepam
For decreasing craving - Naltrexone (blocks opiate receptors)


Note: Please do not take medicines until it is prescribed. Above medications are only for information.

About Writer

Apsara Katuwal Dangol, is writer, educator, and psychosocial counselor. She writes articles which covers topics related to general and developmental psychology. She teaches to MA Clinical Psychology students as Developmental Psychology Mentor at Tri-Chandra College, and General Psychology at Shubhashree College of Management.



Sources and Citiations
http://drugabuse.com/library/alcohol-abuse/
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/285913-medication
https://psychcentral.com/disorders/alcohol-substance-abuse-symptoms/
https://talbottcampus.com/addiction-and-mental-health-resources/alcoholism-and-drug-abuse-articles/common-causes-alcoholism/
http://www.alcohol.org.nz/alcohol-its-effects/about-alcohol/what-is-alcohol
https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/alcohol
http://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol/effects-on-body
https://www.google.com.np/abuse




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