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Alcohol abuse is no less addictive or potentially destructive than addiction to other drugs. It is a nervous system depressant.
- Street names: Booze, sauce, liquor
- Legal Status: Legal (over the age of 18)
Effects
Alcohol can initially bring about feelings of euphoria, it is a relaxant so, in moderation, it can reduce feelings of anxiety and inhibitions, resulting in increased sociability and confidence. Increased alcohol consumption can cause slurring of speech, impaired judgment, loss of balance and vomiting
Risks of alcohol abuse
Excessive acute consumption can result in alcohol poisoning, possible coma and death.
Long term alcohol abuse can result in many physical and psychological problems ranging from deterioration in family and professional relationships, liver, cardiac and gastric diseases and mental illnesses such as depression. The most serious of the physical implications of chronic alcohol abuse is Korsakoff's syndrome. This is a brain disorder that is usually associated with heavy drinking over a long period. Although it is not strictly speaking a dementia, people with the condition experience loss of short term memory.
Addiction / dependency
Alcohol dependency or alcoholism is the physical and psychological addiction to alcohol. Indicators of addiction may include craving alcohol, an inability to stop drinking and the need for an alcoholic drink in the morning.
Habitual intoxication; prolonged and excessive intake of alcoholic drinks leading to a breakdown in health and an addiction to alcohol such that stopping drinking can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. Tolerance gradually increases if alcohol is consumed excessively on a regular basis, this will result in more alcohol needing to be consumed to achieve an intoxicated state. Increased tolerance can be an indication of a developing problem and potential dependency.
Mild to moderate psychological withdrawal symptoms
- Feeling of jumpiness or nervousness
- Feeling of shakiness
- Anxiety
- Irritability or easily excited
- Emotional volatility, rapid emotional changes
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Difficulty with thinking clearly
- Bad dreams
Mild to moderate physical withdrawal symptoms
- Headache - general, pulsating
- Sweating, especially the palms of the hands or the face
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia, sleeping difficulty
- Paleness
- Rapid heart rate (palpitations)
- Eyes, pupils different size (enlarged, dilated pupils)
- Clammy skin
- Tremors
Severe withdrawal symptoms
- A state of confusion and hallucinations (visual) - known as delirium tremens
- Agitation
- Fever
- Convulsions
- "Black outs" -- when the person forgets what happened during the drinking episode.
The severity of these withdrawal symptoms is usually dependent upon how "chemically dependent" the chronic drinker has become. Those who drink heavily on a daily basis will have developed a high level of dependency, but even those who drink daily, but not heavily and those who drink heavily but not daily, can also be chemically dependent upon alcohol.
When someone who has become "alcohol dependent" decides to stop drinking, they should only do so under medical supervision as they will experience withdrawal symptoms that are potentially dangerous.
“Binge” drinking and heavy alcohol consumption
Binge drinking and drinking to dangerous levels can result in significant short and long term negative physical, social and emotional problems.
Short term effects can include impaired judgment, clumsiness, acute poisoning (possible coma and death), poor sleep, vomiting, aggression, promiscuity and anxiety.
Long term effects can include loss of appetite, vitamin deficiency, gastric ailments such as stomach ulcers, liver damage, deterioration of relationships, loss of employment and financial difficulties.
Treatment for alcohol dependency
You will be given benzodiazepine medication which are very effective at preventing withdrawal symptoms, you will only need these for a limited period and there administration will be supervised by your 1-1 detox clinical nurse specialist who will continuously assess you for withdrawals. You may also be given vitamin tablets or injections to help restore depleted stocks of vitamin B1 (Thiamine) a lack of which can result in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
You will also receive medications to help with any specific withdrawal symptoms such as nausea or vomiting.
Aftercare
During the detox process, the clinical nurse specialist, the consultant psychiatrist, and the care co-cordinator will plan a bespoke home detox aftercare package in conjunction with the client and, if appropriate, the client’s family.
We have developed an extensive network of aftercare resources throughout the world, including Europe’s top exclusive therapeutic retreat - The Causeway.
1-1 detox offers 12 months post detox addiction aftercare support and advice.
Examples of post detox aftercare have been referrals to prominent drug and alcohol counsellors, structured day programmes, personal training, complimentary therapists, nutritional specialists and rehabilitation at The Causeway.
Aftercare is planned during the home detox episode with the client and will reflect your specific needs.
Although 1-1 detox does not endorse one philosophy of aftercare we recognize the importance of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and the role it can play in relapse prevention and long term sobriety.
For confidential help or advice
 Contact 1-1 detox
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