DRINKING PROBLEM

DRINKING PROBLEM

Drinking alcohol is considered normal, social behavior. Andfor most people it is a way of relaxing and enjoying themselves. And consumingalcohol can be fun. The problem is alcohol drinking can become a real problemand concern.

Determining whether someone has a drinking problem is notthat difficult, this is not rocket science.
Consequences are often the measure of having a DrinkingAlcohol Problem

A drinking problem can sometimes be a hard thing todetermine. The general rule of whether there is a problem with drinking is ifthe individual is starting to suffer any sort of consequences as a direct orindirect result of their drinking alcohol. These problems can be financial,social, family, job, and career, personal, physical, legal or any other area ofsomeone's life.

Anyone at any age can have a drinking problem. Great UncleGeorge may have always been a heavy drinker--his family may find that as hegets older, the problem gets worse. Grandma Betty may have been a teetotalerall her life, just taking a drink "to help her get to sleep" afterher husband died--now she needs a couple of drinks to get through the day.These are common stories. Drinking problems in older people are often neglectedby families, doctors, and the public.
Normal drinkers of alcohol

Most "normal" drinkers never get drunk or eventipsy.

Normal drinkers can take it or leave it.

They are not focused on drinking alcohol as a part of theirlives.

They can drink 1/2 a beer or 1/2 a glass of wine or 11/2 acocktail and put it down

Normal drinkers can go for days, weeks or even monthswithout wanting or needing to drink

Alcohol does not impair or change their behavior in any realway

They have never suffered any consequences as a result ofdrinking alcohol

Types of Problem Drinkers

There are two types of problem drinkers--chronic andsituational.


Chronic Problem Drinkers
Chronic Problem Drinkers

Chronic abusers have been heavy drinkers for many years.Although many chronic abusers die by middle age, some live well into old age.Most older problem drinkers are in this group.
Situational Problem Drinkers

Other people may develop a drinking problem late in life,often because of "situational" factors such as retirement, loweredincome, failing health, loneliness, or the death of friends or loved ones. Atfirst, having a drink brings relief, but later it can turn into a problem.
How to Recognize a Drinking Problemthis is what a drinkingproblem looks like

Not everyone who drinks regularly has a drinking problem.

You might want to seek help if you answered YES
to 2 or more of the following questions:

* Drink to calmyour nerves, forget your worries, or reduce depression

* Lose interest infood in favor of drinking alcohol

* Gulp your drinksdown fast

* Lie or try tohide your drinking habits

* Drink alone moreoften

* Hurt yourself,or someone else, while drinking

* Were drunk morethan three or four times last year

* Need more andmore alcohol to feel the effects

* Feel irritable,resentful, or unreasonable when you are not drinking

* Have medical,social, or financial problems caused by drinking

* Suffer anyhangovers the day after drinking any alcohol

Physical Effects of a Drinking Alcohol Problem

Alcohol slows down brain activity. Because alcohol affectsalertness, judgment, coordination, and reaction time, drinking increases therisk of falls and accidents. Some research has shown that it takes less alcoholto affect older people than younger ones. Heavy drinking can permanentlydamages the brain and central nervous system, as well as the liver, heart,kidneys, and stomach. Alcohol's effects can make some medical problems hard todiagnose. For example, alcohol causes changes in the heart and blood vesselsthat can dull pain that might be a warning sign of a heart attack. It also can causeforgetfulness and confusion, which can seem like Alzheimer's disease.
Mixing Drugs and Alcohol

Alcohol, itself a drug, is often harmful when mixed withprescription or over-the-counter medicines. This is a special problem forpeople over 65, because they are often heavy users of prescription medicinesand over-the-counter drugs.

Mixing alcohol with other drugs such as tranquilizers,sleeping pills, pain killers, and antihistamines can be very dangerous, evenfatal. For example, aspirin can cause bleeding in the stomach and intestines;when aspirin is combined with alcohol, the risk of bleeding is much higher.

As people age, the body's ability to absorb and dispose ofalcohol and other drugs changes. Anyone who drinks should check with a doctoror pharmacist about possible problems with drug and alcohol interaction