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77% of all USC students have between 0-5 drinks per
week and 1 out of 5 students never drink alcohol.
(Office of Alcohol and Drug Programs,
Department of Student Life, Division of Student and
Alumni Services)
The total average cost of a first conviction DUI is
13,500 dollars.
(Office of Alcohol and Drug Programs,
Department of Student Life, Division of Student and
Alumni Services)
Alcohol and you...
For many people, drinking alcohol is nothing more than a
pleasant way to relax. People with alcohol-related
disorders drink to excess, endangering both themselves
and those around them. This question-and-answer fact
sheet explains how psychotherapy can help people recover
from these potentially life-threatening disorders.
When does drinking become a problem?
For most adults, moderate alcohol use-no more than two
drinks a day for men and one for women and older
people-is relatively harmless. (A "drink" consists of
1.5 ounces of spirits, 5 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of
beer, which contain equal amounts of alcohol.) Moderate
use, however, lies at one end of a continuum that moves
through alcohol abuse to alcohol dependence:
Alcohol abuse is a drinking pattern that results in
adverse consequences that are both significant and
recurrent. Alcohol abusers may fail to fulfill major
school, work or family obligations. They may have
drinking-related legal problems, such as drunk driving
arrests. They may have relationship problems related to
their drinking.
People with alcoholism-technically known as alcohol
dependence – have become compulsive in their alcohol
use. Although they can control their drinking at times,
they are often unable to stop once they start. As their
tolerance increases, they may need more and more alcohol
to achieve the same "high." Or they may become
physically dependent on alcohol, suffering withdrawal
symptoms such as nausea, sweating, restlessness,
irritability, tremors and even hallucinations and
convulsions when they stop after a period of heavy
drinking. It doesn't matter what kind of alcohol someone
drinks or even how much: alcohol dependent people simply
lack reliable control over their drinking.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism (NIAAA), one in 13 American adults is an
alcohol abuser or alcoholic at any given time. A 1997
government survey revealed that drinking problems are
also common among younger
Americans-despite the fact that most states outlaw
drinking under age 21. Almost five million youths aged
12 to 20 engage in binge drinking, for example, with
females downing at least four drinks on a single
occasion and males at least five.
What causes alcohol-related disorders?
Problem drinking has multiple causes, with genetic,
physiological, psychological and social factors all
playing a role. For some alcohol abusers, psychological
traits such as impulsiveness, low self-esteem and a need
for approval prompt inappropriate drinking. Others drink
as a way of coping with emotional pain. Still others use
alcohol to "medicate" psychological disorders. Once
people begin drinking excessively, the problem can
perpetuate itself. Heavy drinking can cause
physiological changes that make more drinking the only
way to avoid discomfort. Genetic factors render some
people especially vulnerable to alcohol dependence.
(Contrary to myth, being able to "hold your liquor"
means you're probably more at risk-not less.) Yet a
family history of alcoholism doesn't mean that children
of alcoholics will automatically grow up to become
alcoholics themselves. Environmental factors such as
peer pressure and the easy availability of alcohol can
also play key roles. Although alcohol-related disorders
can strike anyone, poverty and physical or sexual abuse
also increase the odds.
How do alcohol-related disorders affect people?
While small amounts of alcohol may have some beneficial
physical effects, heavy drinking can cause serious
health problems and even death. In fact, 100,000
Americans die from alcohol-related causes each year.
Short-term effects include distorted perceptions, memory
loss, hangovers and black-outs. Many problems aren't
apparent until they become serious, however. Over the
long term, heavy drinking can cause impotence, stomach
ailments, cardiovascular problems, cancer, central
nervous system damage, serious memory loss and liver
cirrhosis. It also increases the chances of dying from
automobile accidents, homicide and suicide. Although men
are much more likely than women to develop alcoholism,
women's health suffers more even at lower levels of
consumption.
Although moderate drinking may result in relaxation and
euphoria, heavy drinking also has a very negative impact
on mental health. In fact, alcohol abuse and alcoholism
can worsen existing conditions, such as depression or
schizophrenia, or induce new problems, such as serious
memory loss, depression or anxiety.
People with alcohol-related disorders don't just hurt
themselves, however. According to NIAAA, more than half
of Americans have at least one close relative with a
drinking problem. The results can be devastating.
Spouses are more likely to face domestic violence.
Children are more likely to develop psychological
problems, suffer physical and sexual abuse and neglect
and-because of the combination of genetic vulnerability
and social learning-grow up to be alcoholics. Women who
drink during pregnancy run a serious risk of damaging
their fetuses. It's not just relatives who suffer. Heavy
drinkers often kill strangers through accidents or
homicide.
When should someone seek help?
Because some in our society view alcohol-related
disorders as a sign of moral weakness, individuals often
hide their drinking or deny they have a problem. How can
you tell if you or someone you know is in trouble? Signs
of a possible problem include having friends or
relatives express concern, being annoyed when people
criticize your drinking, feeling guilty about your
drinking and thinking that you should cut down but
finding yourself unable to do so. Needing a morning
drink to steady your nerves or relieve a hangover is
another warning sign.
Alcoholics usually can't stop drinking through willpower
alone. Most need outside help . They may need medically
supervised detoxification to avoid potentially
life-threatening withdrawal symptoms such as seizures,
for instance. Depending on the problem's severity,
treatment can take place during office visits, hospital
stays or residential treatment programs. Once people are
stabilized, they need help resolving psychological
issues that may be associated with problem drinking.
How can a clinician help?
Clinicians play a vital role in the successful treatment
of alcohol-related disorders, serving as integral
members of the multidisciplinary team that may be
required to provide care. Be sure to choose a service
provider who is experienced in working with
alcohol-related disorders. To improve the chances of
recovery, seek help early.
Using individual, family or group psychotherapy,
clinicians can help people address psychological issues
involved in their drinking. They can help people boost
their motivation, identify situations that trigger
drinking and learn new coping methods. They can also
provide referrals to self-help groups such as Alcoholics
Anonymous, a crucial part of any recovery program. The
treatment process doesn't end once drinking does,
however. To help prevent relapses, clinicians typically
keep working with people as they begin new lives. Even
after formal treatment ends, many people seek additional
support through continued involvement in self-help
groups.
Treatment can't occur in a vacuum. Because families
influence both drinking and recovery, marital and family
therapy are also key. Clinicians can help families
repair relationships and navigate the complex
transitions that occur as recovery begins. They can help
families understand alcoholism and learn how to support
family members in recovery. And they can refer family
members to self-help groups such as Al-Anon and
Ala-teen.
Does treatment really work?
Yes. Evidence strongly suggests that many
people-especially those with jobs, families and other
forms of social stability-recover after their first
attempt. Not everyone is so fortunate. Some cycle
between relapse and recovery several times before
achieving long-term sobriety. What's important is for
the person to stop drinking again and get additional
support.
While alcoholism is treatable, so far no cure has been
found. That means people remain susceptible to relapses
even after they've been sober for a long time. Reducing
alcohol consumption doesn't work. Most experts agree
that the goal should be complete avoidance of alcohol.
Alcohol-related disorders can severely impair people's
functioning and health. But the prospects for long-term
recovery are good for people who seek help from
appropriate sources. Qualified clinicians with
experience in this area can help those who suffer from
alcohol-related disorders stop drinking and start
regaining control of their lives.
This document may be reproduced in its entirety with
modifications.
A publication of the American Psychological Association
Practice Directorate (January, 1999)
The American Psychological Association Practice
Directorate and the APA College of Professional
Psychology gratefully acknowledge the assistance of
Peter E. Nathan, Ph.D., John Wallace, Ph.D., and Joan
Werben, Ph.D., in developing this fact sheet.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
For additional information on alcoholics anonymous and
recovery resources contact:
http://alcoholics-anonymous.org/
http://recovery.org/aa/
http://www.hazelden.org/
http://www.ulifeline.org/
LOCAL RESOURCES IN THE COLUMBIA AREA:
Counseling and Human Development Center, University of
South Carolina (803 777-5223)
Alcoholics Anonymous (803) 254-5301
Lexington/Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council (803)
256-3100
1325 Harden St., Columbia, SC 29204
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