Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol Abuse- How can I tell if alcohol is a problem for me?

Alcohol is a problem if it affects any part of your life, including your health, your work and your life at home.

You may have a problem with alcohol if you think about drinking all the time, if you keep trying to quit on your own but can’t, or if you often drink more than you plan to or more than is safe for what you are doing (such as driving a car).

What are some of the signs of Alcohol Abuse?

Not all signs are obvious. Many people find it hard to admit when alcohol is a problem. Often, people around you may see your problem before you do. Think about what your friends and family say to you about drinking. Then talk with your family doctor about your concerns.

What are the symptoms of Alcohol Abuse?

Am I drinking too much?

You are drinking too much if one of the following statements is true. You are:

*One drink = one 12-oz bottle of beer (4.5 percent alcohol), one 5-oz glass of wine (12.9 percent alcohol) or 1.5 oz of 80-proof distilled spirits.

• A woman who has more than 7 drinks* per week or more than 3 drinks per occasion
• A man who has more than 14 drinks* per week or more than 4 drinks per occasion
• Older than 65 years of age and have more than 7 drinks* per week or more than 3 drinks per occasion

Am I drinking heavily?

You are drinking heavily if one of the following statements is true. You are:

• A woman who has more than 3 drinks every day or 21 drinks per week
• A man who has more than 5 drinks every day or 35 drinks per week

Am I taking risks with alcohol?

You are taking risks with alcohol if one or more of the following statements are true. You:

• Drink and drive, operate machinery or mix alcohol with over-the-counter or prescription medicine
• Don’t tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are a regular drinker
• Are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant and drink at all (even small amounts of alcohol may hurt an unborn child)
• Drink alcohol while you are looking after children
• Drink alcohol even though you have a medical condition that can be made worse by drinking

Has my drinking become a habit?

Your drinking has become a habit if you drink regularly to:

• Relax, relieve anxiety or go to sleep
• Be more comfortable in social situations
• Avoid thinking about sad or unpleasant things
• Socialize with other regular drinkers

Has drinking alcohol become a problem for me?

Alcohol has become a problem for you if one or more of the following statements are true. You:

• Can’t stop drinking once you start
• Felt the need to cut down on your drinking
• Have tried to stop drinking for a week or so but only quit for a few days
• Fail to do what you should at work or at home because of drinking
• Feel guilty after drinking
• Find other people make comments to you about your drinking
• Felt annoyed by criticism of your drinking
• Have a drink in the morning to get yourself going after drinking heavily the night before
• Can’t remember what happened while you were drinking
• Have hurt someone else as a result of your drinking

Is alcohol taking over my life?

Yes, if you:

• Ever worry about having enough alcohol for an evening or weekend
• Hide alcohol or buy it at different stores so people will not know how much you are drinking
• Switch from one kind of drink to another hoping that this will keep you from drinking too much or getting drunk
• Try to get “extra” drinks at a social event or sneak drinks when others aren’t looking

Other Signs That Alcohol Is a Problem

• Accidents
• Anxiety
• Being unusually suspicious
• Blackouts/memory loss
• Breakdown of relationships
• Depression
• Getting driving tickets while under the influence of alcohol
• Insomnia
• Loss of self-esteem
• Not taking care of yourself
• Poor work performance
• Taking sick days for hangovers
• Trembling hands
• Trouble having erections (men)
• Vomiting

Causes & Risk Factors

What causes alcoholism?

The causes of alcoholism are not fully known. A history of alcoholism in your family makes it more likely. Men seem to be more at risk than women. Some drinkers use alcohol to try to relieve anxiety, depression, tension, loneliness, self-doubt or unhappiness.

Treatment

Why should I quit?

Quitting is the only way to stop the problems alcohol is causing in your life. It may not be easy to quit. But your efforts will be rewarded by better health, better relationships and a sense of accomplishment. As you think about quitting, you may want to make a list of your reasons to quit.

What do I need to know about alcohol abuse treatment and recovery?

The decision to stop using alcohol or other drugs is very important to your health. Talk with your doctor if you’ve decided to quit. He or she can guide your treatment, help you find support and monitor your condition as you recover.

How do I stop?

The first step is realizing that you control your own behavior. It’s the only real control you have in your life. So use it. Here are the next steps:

• Commit to quitting.Once you decide to quit, you can make plans to be sure you succeed.
• Get help from your doctor.He or she can be your biggest ally. Alcoholism is a kind of disease, and it can be treated. Talking with your doctor or a counselor about your problems can be helpful too.
• Get support.Contact Alcoholics Anonymous, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence or the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Call for information about local treatment programs and to speak to someone about your alcohol problem. They will give you the tools and support you need to quit. Ask your family and friends for support too.

What does it feel like to quit drinking?

As you drink, your body tries to make up for the depressant effects of alcohol. This built-up tolerance to alcohol can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms when people who drink a lot quit. Serious withdrawal symptoms include seeing things, seizures and delirium tremens (confusion, seeing vivid images, severe shakes, being very suspicious), and can even include death. This is why you need your doctor’s care if you’ve been drinking heavily and are trying to quit.

Complications

How does alcohol affect my health?

Alcohol has many effects on your health. It can cause cirrhosis  , a disease of the liver. It’s a major cause of deaths and injuries because of accidents. It can have severe effects on a baby during pregnancy. It can also cause stomach pain due to a bleeding ulcer or irritated stomach lining.

What other things can alcohol do to my body?

Alcohol can:

• Make you gain weight
• Make you feel sick or dizzy
• Give you bad breath
• Make you clumsy
• Slur your speech
• Make your skin break out
• Make you feel out of control

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• How is alcohol affecting my health?
• What is considered problem drinking?
• How can an alcohol problem be treated?
• I’m pregnant. How can alcohol affect my baby?
• Can I take pain medication while I’m being treated for alcohol dependence?
• Can I take an antidepressant while I’m being treated for alcohol dependence?
• Can you recommend a support group to help me with my recovery?
• Are there medicines that can help alcohol dependence?
• What will alcohol withdrawal be like?
• What can I do to ease symptoms of alcohol withdrawal?

Other Organizations

• National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence  
• Alcoholics Anonymous  
• Women for Sobriety  
• SMART Recovery  
• Adult Children of Alcoholics  
• Al-Anon/Alateen  
• National Association for Children of Alcoholics  
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration  
• National Institute on Drug Abuse  
• Students Against Destructive Decisions  
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving  
• Partnership for a Drug-Free America  

Bibliography

Citations

• Problem Drinking and Alcoholism: Diagnosis and Treatment  by MA Enoch, M.D., M.R.C.G.P. and D Goldman, M.D. (American Family PhysicianFebruary 01, 2002,http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020201/441.html  )

Alcohol Abuse and Nutrition

Alcohol abuse is any pattern of alcohol consumption that harms your health, relationships, or work. Alcohol abuse can affect how your body breaks down and absorbs nutrients from food by causing your liver to work abnormally. Additionally, many people who abuse alcohol do not eat enough carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. This can cause poor nutrition (malnutrition) and a lack of nutrients (nutrient deficiencies), which can lead to further complications.

Nutrients that are commonly lacking (deficient) among people who abuse alcohol include:

• Vitamins.
  • Vitamin A. This is stored in your liver. It is important for your vision, metabolism, and ability to fight off infections (immunity).
  • B vitamins. These include vitamins such as folate, thiamin, and niacin. These are important in new cell growth and maintenance.
  • Vitamin C. This plays an important role in iron absorption, wound healing, and immunity.
  • Vitamin D. This is produced by your liver, but you can also get vitamin D from food. Vitamin D is necessary for your body to absorb and use calcium.
• Minerals.
  • Calcium. This is important for your bones and your heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) function.
  • Iron. This is important for blood, muscle, and nervous system functioning.
  • Magnesium. This plays an important role in muscle and nerve function, and it helps to control blood sugar and blood pressure.
  • Zinc. This is important for the normal function of your nervous system and digestive system (gastrointestinal tract).

Nutrition is an essential component of therapy for alcohol abuse. Your health care provider or dietitian will work with you to design a plan that can help restore nutrients to your body and prevent potential complications.

What is my plan?

Your dietitian may develop a specific diet plan that is based on your condition and any other complications you may have. A diet plan will commonly include:

• A balanced diet.
  • Grains: 6–8 oz per day.
  • Vegetables: 2–3 cups per day.
  • Fruits: 1–2 cups per day.
  • Meat and other protein: 5–6 oz per day.
  • Dairy: 2–3 cups per day.
• Vitamin and mineral supplements.

What do I need to know about alcohol and nutrition?

• Consume foods that are high in antioxidants, such as grapes, berries, nuts, green tea, and dark green and orange vegetables. This can help to counteract some of the stress that is placed on your liver by consuming alcohol.
• Avoid food and drinks that are high in fat and sugar. Foods such as sugared soft drinks, salty snack foods, and candy contain empty calories. This means that they lack important nutrients such as protein, fiber, and vitamins.
• Eat frequent meals and snacks. Try to eat 5–6 small meals each day.
• Eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables each day. This will help you get plenty of water, fiber, and vitamins in your diet.
• Drink plenty of water and other clear fluids. Try to drink at least 48–64 oz (1.5–2 L) of water per day.
• If you are a vegetarian, eat a variety of protein-rich foods. Pair whole grains with plant-based proteins at meals and snacks to obtain the greatest nutrient benefit from your food. For example, eat rice with beans, put peanut butter on whole-grain toast, or eat oatmeal with sunflower seeds.
• Soak beans and whole grains overnight before cooking. This can help your body to absorb the nutrients more easily.
• Include foods fortified with vitamins and minerals in your diet. Commonly fortified foods include milk, orange juice, cereal, and bread.
• If you are malnourished, your dietitian may recommend a high-protein, high-calorie diet. This may include:
  • 2,000–3,000 calories (kilocalories) per day.
  • 70–100 grams of protein per day.
• Your health care provider may recommend a complete nutritional supplement beverage. This can help to restore calories, protein, and vitamins to your body. Depending on your condition, you may be advised to consume this instead of or in addition to meals.
• Limit your intake of caffeine. Replace drinks like coffee and black tea with decaffeinated coffee and herbal tea.
• Eat a variety of foods that are high in omega fatty acids. These include fish, nuts and seeds, and soybeans. These foods may help your liver to recover and may also stabilize your mood.
• Certain medicines may cause changes in your appetite, taste, and weight. Work with your health care provider and dietitian to make any adjustments to your medicines and diet plan.
• Include other healthy lifestyle choices in your daily routine.
  • Be physically active.
  • Get enough sleep.
  • Spend time doing activities that you enjoy.
• If you are unable to take in enough food and calories by mouth, your health care provider may recommend a feeding tube. This is a tube that passes through your nose and throat, directly into your stomach. Nutritional supplement beverages can be given to you through the feeding tube to help you get the nutrients you need.
• Take vitamin or mineral supplements as recommended by your health care provider.

What foods can I eat?

Grains

Enriched pasta. Enriched rice. Fortified whole-grain bread. Fortified whole-grain cereal. Barley. Brown rice. Quinoa. Millet.

Vegetables

All fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables. Spinach. Kale. Artichoke. Carrots. Winter squash and pumpkin. Sweet potatoes. Broccoli. Cabbage. Cucumbers. Tomatoes. Sweet peppers. Green beans. Peas. Corn.

Fruits

All fresh and frozen fruits. Berries. Grapes. Mango. Papaya. Guava. Cherries. Apples. Bananas. Peaches. Plums. Pineapple. Watermelon. Cantaloupe. Oranges. Avocado.

Meats and Other Protein Sources

Beef liver. Lean beef. Pork. Fresh and canned chicken. Fresh fish. Oysters. Sardines. Canned tuna. Shrimp. Eggs with yolks. Nuts and seeds. Peanut butter. Beans and lentils. Soybeans. Tofu.

Dairy

Whole, low-fat, and nonfat milk. Whole, low-fat, and nonfat yogurt. Cottage cheese. Sour cream. Hard and soft cheeses.

Beverages

Water. Herbal tea. Decaffeinated coffee. Decaffeinated green tea. 100% fruit juice. 100% vegetable juice. Instant breakfast shakes.

Condiments

Ketchup. Mayonnaise. Mustard. Salad dressing. Barbecue sauce.

Sweets and Desserts

Sugar-free ice cream. Sugar-free pudding. Sugar-free gelatin.

Fats and Oils

Butter. Vegetable oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil, and walnut oil.

Other

Complete nutrition shakes. Protein bars. Sugar-free gum.

The items listed above may not be a complete list of recommended foods or beverages. Contact your dietitian for more options.

What foods are not recommended?

Grains

Sugar-sweetened breakfast cereals. Flavored instant oatmeal. Fried breads.

Vegetables

Breaded or deep-fried vegetables.

Fruits

Dried fruit with added sugar. Candied fruit. Canned fruit in syrup.

Meats and Other Protein Sources

Breaded or deep-fried meats.

Dairy

Flavored milks. Fried cheese curds or fried cheese sticks.

Beverages

Alcohol. Sugar-sweetened soft drinks. Sugar-sweetened tea. Caffeinated coffee and tea.

Condiments

Sugar. Honey. Agave nectar. Molasses.

Sweets and Desserts

Chocolate. Cake. Cookies. Candy.

Other

Potato chips. Pretzels. Salted nuts. Candied nuts.

The items listed above may not be a complete list of foods and beverages to avoid. Contact your dietitian for more information.