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Alcohol & Drug Abuse

What is alcohol abuse?

Alcohol abuse is defined by the World Health Organisation as the consumption of more than 21 units of alcohol per week for males, and 14 units of alcohol per week for females. It is believed that on average females are more affected than males to the effects of alcohol abuse. Alcohol is used by many people to form a block to the pain and emotions that are being felt from emotional, physical or sexual abuse.

What are the physical effects of alcohol abuse?

Alcohol abuse can lead to many harmful effects to the body. The most recognised effect of alcohol abuse is damage to the liver leading, in extreme cases, to liver cirrhosis. However, alcohol abuse can damage almost any part of the body. Brain damage caused by alcohol abuse includes dementia and severe memory loss. Alcohol abuse increases the chances of heart attacks occurring and raises blood pressure. Alcohol abuse can even increase the chances of many cancers of the gastro-intestinal tract, including stomach cancer. The pancreas can be severely damaged by alcohol abuse, as can the body’s nervous system.

What are the social effects of alcohol abuse?

Alcohol abuse is well recognised as a cause of loss of relationships. Alcohol abuse is also associated with increases in crime, violence and unemployment. Many people who do abuse alcohol can go on to abuse drugs too, or vice versa.

What are the psychological effects of alcohol abuse?

Alcohol is a depressant and alcohol abuse is a common cause of depression. Frequently depression caused by alcohol abuse resolves itself when the alcohol abuse stops. Alcohol abuse can cause anxiety levels to rise and also the onset of panic attacks. Paranoia and mental confusion can occur in severe cases of alcohol abuse.

Are you an alcoholic?

If you are worried about your drinking, you could ask yourself these questions:

Have you ever made the choice to stop drinking for a week, but this has only lasted for a couple of days?
Have any of your friends and family indicated that you may have a drink problem, and has this caused upset?
Have you taken days off work because of your drinking?
Are you drinking in your bathroom, car, workplace or other public places? Or maybe you have begun to avoid socialising with people you know frown upon your drinking?
Have you had any health problems associated with alcohol and still continued drinking?
Are you unhappy with your current sex life?
Have you started to get drink alone?
Are you drinking more and more just to get that same feeling of comfort you desire?
Is your drinking causing you financial problems?
Have you been lying or deceiving those around you?
Have you ever felt that your life would be so much better if you didn’t drink, but are you also scared of what may happen if you stop?

Hopefully by answering these questions honestly you may be able to seek help and support if you feel you do have an addiction to alcohol.

Understanding Drug Addiction

Drug taking can develop into a drug addiction very quickly and before people have time to recognise that they are needing more and more. Drugs can literally destroy your life, including your relationships, family, work, finances and health. Drugs are often used to escape the traumas of childhood and stop the now adult from feeling the pain and memories they so desperately want to block out. Adults who were physically, emotionally or sexually abused as children have a strong tendency to develop addictions.

Some addictions can be:

Cocaine/Crack Cocaine
Amphetamines/Speed/Crystal Meth
Heroin/Methadone
Cannabis
Prescription Medication

Are you addicted to drugs?

If you are worried about your drug taking, you could ask yourself these questions:

Have you ever made the choice to stop taking drugs for a week, but only managed for a couple of days?
Have any of your friends and family indicated that you may have a drugs problem, and has this caused conflict?
Have you had any health problems associated with drug abuse and still continued to take them?
Are you unhappy with your current sex life?
Have you ever taken more drugs than you wanted to, or taken another drug to overcome the effects of the previous one?
Have you started drug taking alone?
Are you using bigger doses just to get that same feeling of comfort you need?
Have you been lying to others about the amounts you are taking?
Have you ever stolen money to finance your next fix?
Are you controlled by drugs and find it difficult to focus on your daily life?
Have you ever felt that your life would be much better if you didn’t take drugs?
Are you scared of what could happen if you stop?

Hopefully by answering these questions honestly you may be able to seek help and support if you feel you do have a drug addiction.