Alcoholism By: Andrew Owens Students in College

What is Alcoholism?  When a person drinks over and over knowing the consequences they will face.  No control over the amount of time they drink  Possible to have a drinking problem without being an alcoholic

The Disease Itself  Anyone can get it  Does Not discriminate  Tough disease to fight  Isn't just a simple fix  Can be different depending on the person

Signs of Alcoholism Neglect responsibilities Use Alcohol in dangerous situation Use of alcohol to relax

Signs of Alcoholism  Repeated arrests due to alcohol  Excess drinking and high tolerances  Loss of control while drinking

Causes Can Be learned through family members who are alcoholics Failure in work school or relationships

Causes Death of a relative or friend Social Pressure

General Statistics  Percentage who have had atleast one drink  Women= 59.6%  Men= 71.8%  Percentage who have never had a drink  Women= 22.5%  Men= 11.6%  Percentage of binge drinkers( consume 4-5+ drinks within 2 hours at least once  Women= 28.8%  Men= 43.1%

Stress Impact People will try to dull side effects with alcohol Stressors can make alcohol abuse worse Students may have a rough week and just want to forget it

Stress Impact People try to hide real life stress with alcohol Stress can cause a relapse Stress of wanting to drink

Complications Motor vehicle accidents Poor work performance or school grades decline Domestic abuse

Health Risks  Liver Disease  Hepatitis, Cirrhosis  Heart problems  High BP  Bone loss  Osteoporosis  Increase risk of Cancer  Mouth, throat, liver, colon, and breast.

Who Gets It?  Anyone can get it!  People surrounded by drinkers  People with a lot of stress  People who try to fit in with the crowd of partiers

How it Develops Develops over time Stress or unhappiness in life can increase drinking People gradually need more alcohol to get the same effect

Chronic Disease  Non communicable- cannot catch it like a cold  People can relapse easily  Disease can run through the a family of drinkers

Treatments Rehab Group Therapy Medication

Rehab  Patients can detox and get help  They go for a certain length of time  Depending on severity  Doctors and staff help patients with withdrawal symptoms  Usually a step by step process to follow

Medication  Disulfiram -produces a physical reaction that may include flushing, nausea, vomiting and headaches  Naltrexone - blocks the good feelings alcohol causes  Acamprosate - may help you combat alcohol cravings

Group therapy  Most well know is AA  Alcoholics Anonymous  Place where people can come together and work out their battles with alcoholism  Usually a meeting setting open and not private  Moderators help patients express their difficulties

Organizations  MADD MADD  NIH NIH  NCADD NCADD

Life Style Changes Alcoholic  Social situation  Make know to your friends you are not drinking  Develop healthy habits  Eat good, sleep well, exercise  Do activities not centered around alcohol  Go outdoors, explore, get away from the city

Prevention  Must set limits for yourself  Couple drinks or DD  Do not succumb to peer pressure  Just Say NO  Reach out to friends and family before alcohol

Works Cited   htm htm  