Alcohol Problem vs. Alcohol Dependency
When is Alcohol Use Becoming a Problem?
Drinking problems come on many levels, from a single evening when something bad happens, to frequent nights when less good things happen. If drinking is getting in the way of those things that should be more important, (health, family, friends, work, academics, etc.), there is a cause for concern.
Drinking issues are not always related to amount and frequency, it can be related more to what happens when a person drinks.
When is Alcohol Use Becoming a Dependency?
Remember that development of a dependency on alcohol is progressive. That means that it gets worse over time indicated by a pattern of gradually more serious effects.The following are the main criteria to identify possible alcohol dependency. The criteria are taken from the ’Diagnostic criteria for 303.90 Alcohol Dependence, American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 1994. p.195-198.
Alcohol dependency is usually manifested by three or more of the following criteria occurring at any time in the same 12 month period.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: Examples include sweating or high pulse rate, increased hand tremor, insomnia, nausea or vomiting, and in some cases, transient visual, tactile, or auditory hallucinations or illusions, psycho-motor agitation, anxiety, and grand mal seizures.
- Markedly Increased Tolerance: Need much more alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect, or notice that the same amount doesn’t affect you like it used to.
- Unintended Use: for longer period or larger amount. Examples include drinking to the point of vomiting or passing out.
- Unsuccessful Efforts to Cut down or Control use: Cannot stop drinking at any point without difficulty, unable to stop drinking alcohol after 1 or 2 without a struggle.
- Preoccupation with Use: Time spent obtaining substance or recovering from its effects. May include drinking at multiple locations in one evening, spending inordinate time purchasing alcohol, or planning how to obtain alcohol, or spending significant time recovering from hangover effects.
Diminished time in activities not related to use. Switching peer group and finding other heavy drinkers as friends; not doing well in school or at work due to drinking: decrease in performance, missing class, not studying, late attendance, missing work, spending less time in sports or other recreational activities.
- Continued use despite negative consequences: Recurrent problems either caused by or made worse by continued alcohol use including: blackouts, depression or suicidal tendencies, personality change, legal problems, health problems, mood swings, problems with finances, academics, relationships, or family.
Other Serious Risk Factors Related to Alcohol Dependency Include the Following:
Having health problems, bruises and cuts; often sick, or heavy use, while having a family history of chemical dependency.
Having a parent or sibling or other relative with an alcohol or other drug problem is a warning sign. Having more close relatives with chemical dependencies indicates greater severity of personal risk. Recent research on brain chemistry supports that alcoholism can be genetic and tolerance to alcohol can be 90% inherited. Research supports that children of alcoholics tend to not notice the intoxication effects of alcohol like most individuals do. They seem to already be set up with tolerance, thus not experiencing this drug like many of their peers. Their brain chemistry is already altered on the genetic level, making them more susceptible to addiction.
Indicators of Mis-use, Abuse of Alcohol or Other Drug Problem
The following indicators may provide clues to problems that may exist related to use of alcohol or other drugs. Although the presence of a single indicator is inconclusive, proving nothing by itself, it can suggest the possibility of problems related to misuse of alcohol or other drugs.
Usage:
- Indication of a pattern of abusive use, characterized by repeated intoxication
- Intentionally drinking to get drunk.
- Denial of seriousness, frequency, or amount of actual usage.
- Reliance on alcohol or other drugs for normal life functions
- Usage to stop withdrawal symptoms
- Continued usage in spite of negative consequences
Physical:
- Observed abnormalities of skin, eyes, coordination, and speech
- Pattern of frequent physical illness or hangover
- Sleep disturbances
- Digestive disturbances
- Evidence of withdrawal
- Decreased concern about grooming and appearance
- Passing out
Emotional:
- Use of alcohol or other drugs to deal with emotions
- Guilt about actions during intoxication
- Reduced emotional control
- Dramatic mood swings
- Guilt about use
- Anxious reactions
- Self-abusive behavior
- Defensiveness when discussing use
- Depression
- Cognitive
- Decreased attention and concentration spans
- Increased forgetfulness
- Decreased problem-solving skills
- Blackouts (memory loss for a period of time)
- Poor judgment and decision making
- Lowered or inconsistent academic performance
- Decrease in motivation and/or ability to follow through
Social:
- Family and other relationship difficulties
- Irresponsible behavior
- Financial problems
- Legal problems
- Self-esteem problems
- Decreased leisure time activities and interests
- Poor work performance/record
- Missed classes
- Fighting and/or physical or verbal aggression
- Personality change
- Offensive behavior or interference with the rights of others.
- Repeated drinking and driving, and/or traffic violations or motor vehicle crashes