Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a term that conjures up many unsavory images of homeless people or individuals who are constantly intoxicated.  However, in real life it is not so simple.  In medical terms, there are really two distinctions that are made:  substance abuse and substance dependence.

Substance abuse is a situation in which a person continues to use alcohol even though it has clearly become a problem in his or her life.  Examples are declining work / school performance, affects the health or safety, strain on family relationships, the person's spouse objects to the level of drinking, work performance suffers, or legal or financial problems develop.

Many people begin to rely on alcohol because it solves some problems for them.  For example, it helps them relax.  It also tends to have a euphoric effect.  Therefore, people can easily learn that when they use alcohol they feel a lot better than when they do not.  As time goes by, they become ever more accustomed to the idea and to the feeling.

Slowly, however, more and more problems begin to grow out of the alcohol use.  Examples: it has a subtly depressing effect;  it can make people more irritable after the "buzz" goes away;  it can harm relationships or work / school performance;  it can have negative health or safety consequences.  As these problems develop, the individual feels an increasing need to use alcohol to cope with the discomfort.  Then, a cycle begins to develop in which the more alcohol is used, the more problems it creates and therefore is needed to soothe more pain.

Substance dependence begins to develop when this cycle leads to a level of alcohol consumption that causes the body to adjust so that more increasing amounts of alcohol are needed to bring about the "buzz" effect.  Little by little the alcohol begins to play a more prominent role in a person's life and, at some point, the person is unable to avoid drinking even when he or she tries to.  Strong withdrawal symptoms make it very difficult to stop.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Take it seriously when people around you question your drinking.  It tends to sneak up on a person and often the person with the alcohol problem is the last to know.
    
2. Look out for these warning signs:
   
   - periods of time you can't remember
   - embarrassment about what you did when under the influence
   - hiding or lying about alcohol consumption
   - finding it difficult to say no to a drink
   - worrying about not having access to alcohol
   - finding that you are looking forward to your next drink to make you feel better
   - increasing difficulty at work or school
   - becoming aware that you need more alcohol than you used to in order to get the "buzz"
   - drinking even when you are advised by your doctor not to
   - becoming aware that you are spending more money than you should on alcohol, and legal complications such as DUI, public drunkenness, neighbor  complaints to the police
    
3. If you notice any of these signs talk to a doctor, a mental health professional, or use your EAP to find out if there is a problem.

Jeffrey Klunk, M.S., is a Licensed Psychologist and President of LMA Systems Group, Inc.  Contact Jeff at 717.509.8889 or via email jklunk@lmaconsulting.cc