| Alcohol abuse can be tough to determine in this day | | | | emerge over time in some of the more advanced |
| and age. It seems like every 20-something is binge | | | | stages. Common symptoms include "the shakes," |
| drinking on the weekends. Perhaps it's just a rite of | | | | nausea, nervousness, anxiety, sweating and |
| passage? Likewise, it seems like all your coworkers | | | | depression. Often there is a loss of appetite and the |
| are slamming back a few brews after work to let | | | | individual needs to drink more and more to sustain a |
| loose. Where does one draw the line between normal | | | | buzz. |
| and excessive alcohol consumption? | | | | Cravings may drive the person to drinking alcohol |
| While tolerance levels vary, the general rule is that | | | | every weekend or even every day. Delirium Tremens |
| you're drinking too much if you're a woman who has | | | | (DTs) is the ultimate manifestation of severe alcohol |
| more than 7 drinks per week or more than 3 drinks | | | | abuse, with the drinker suffering hallucinations, nausea, |
| per occasion, if you're a man who has more than 14 | | | | agitation, confusion, the shakes and panic attacks from |
| drinks per week or more than four drinks per occasion, | | | | alcohol related withdrawal. In 5-15% of these cases, |
| or if you're over 65 having more than 7 drinks per | | | | the person may die unless treated by a medical |
| week or more than 3 drinks per occasion. | | | | professional. |
| Can problem drinkers simply cut down on alcohol | | | | The good news is that people with addictions can be |
| consumption to combat their abuse of it? The answer | | | | treated if they're willing to accept help. For the most |
| to this popular question all depends upon the individual. | | | | severe recovering alcoholic, alcohol abuse can be |
| For the most successful recovery from alcoholism, | | | | treated with drugs that will reduce cravings and |
| abstinence is really the only cure. | | | | elevate mood levels. Scientists say alcoholism is |
| On the other hand, people who have experienced | | | | perpetuated by imbalances of neurotransmitters and |
| drinking related problems, but aren't actually alcohol | | | | brain chemicals that leave a person feeling unsatisfied |
| dependent, may be able to cut back on their own. | | | | without alcoholic drink. |
| Before hitting "rock bottom," it's recommended that the | | | | Some drugs include Campral, Vivitrex, Naltrexone and |
| drinkers stop covering up their alcohol consumption, | | | | Antabuse. It's highly recommended that the recovering |
| read information on alcoholism to assess the situation | | | | alcoholic also undergo behavioral therapy or attend the |
| and avoid situations where it will be involved. | | | | Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program as well. |
| Some of the physical symptoms of alcohol abuse | | | | |