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For example, some people try to cover their alcohol abuse by drinking in private and isolating themselves from others. This makes it challenging for family members or friends to intervene and help their loved one. If you’ve had two or sober house three of those symptoms in the past year, that’s a mild alcohol use disorder. While some people with alcohol use disorder can cut back or stop drinking without help, most are only able to do so temporarily unless they get treatment.
Other facts and statistics about alcohol dependence include its pattern of afflicting about 4% of women and 10% of men. It costs more than $200 billion per year in lower productivity, early death, and costs for treatment. Drinking problems also have a very negative impact on mental health. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism can worsen existing conditions such as depression or induce new problems such as serious memory loss, depression or anxiety. Excessive drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking by pregnant women or people younger than age 21.
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Unlike cocaine or heroin, alcohol is widely available and accepted in many cultures. It’s often at the center of social situations and closely linked to celebrations and enjoyment. Long-term alcohol use can affect bone density, leading to thinner bones and increasing your risk of fractures if you fall. Ulcers can cause dangerous internal bleeding, which can sometimes be fatal without prompt diagnosis and treatment. Experts recommend avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol if you have diabetes or hypoglycemia.
Attempts to stop drinking can result in tremors or hallucinations, but therapy, detox, and rehab can help you get your life back. It can cause changes to the brain and neurochemistry, so a person with an alcohol addiction may not be able to control their actions. Alcohol withdrawal can be difficult and, in some cases, life threatening. Depending on how often you drink and how much, you may need support from a healthcare professional if you want to stop drinking. Alcohol use can factor into mental health symptoms that closely resemble those of other mental health conditions.
What causes alcoholic liver disease?
Combined with medications and behavioral treatment provided by health care professionals, mutual-support groups can offer a valuable added layer of support. If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group. Stopping alcohol abruptly after long-term heavy drinking can also lead to alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which commonly manifests as symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Alcohol use disorder is a progressive disease that includes a beginning, middle, and end stage, which can result in life-threatening health conditions.
Psychotherapy and participation in support groups are the usual treatments for codependency. An alcohol abuse problem can include binge drinking, having negative consequences such as hangovers with your drinking but continuing anyway, and drinking despite the desire to stop. Drinking more than three drinks in a single sitting will temporarily cause your blood pressure to rise, but extended binge drinking or regular alcohol consumption can cause a permanent increase in blood pressure.
