It is estimated that one in thirteen people in the UK are
dependent upon alcohol. Nearly everyone knows of someone
who has, to some extent, battled with this particular
addiction, one that drives those affected to drink large
amounts of alcohol, and to experience withdrawal symptoms
if they do not take it regularly. It is also well known
that over time the excessive consumption of alcohol can
have a detrimental affect on a persons health. Short-term
affects include anxiety, memory loss and nausea, while
long-term alcohol abuse can increase the risk of a person
contracting cancer, liver disease and pancreatitis as well
as potentially developing some form of mental illness, such
as depression or memory loss.
The good thing is that recovering from alcohol addiction is
possible, but first and foremost is that of admission; that
a person recognises that they have a problem with alcohol.
Only once a person admits that they have a problem can they
begin on the road to recovery.
Alcohol Dependency
In moderation, alcohol can, for some, enhance the quality
of life. Often consumed with friends and family in social
situations, where we celebrate, commiserate and relax.
However, for many people the regular consumption of alcohol
turns into a habit, the real problem being caused when they
have to drink more and more to have the desired effect
(e.g. complete relaxation and forgetting about the 'real
world'). A person who is alcohol dependent will display
the following:
- A strong compulsion to drink; - Continued extreme use of
alcohol despite being aware of its damaging affects; -
Withdrawal symptoms when decreasing or stopping alcohol
consumption; - A pre-occupation with acquiring and
consuming alcohol.
How to tell if you are addicted
One of the most comprehensive tests is that developed by
the World Health Organisation (WHO). If you are concerned
rate yourself in the test below:-
1. How often do you drink alcohol? a. Never 0 b.
Monthly or less 1 c. Two to four times a month 2 d. Two
to three times a week 3 e. Daily or almost daily 4
2. How many standard drinks do you have on a typical day
when you are drinking? (A standard drink is half a pint of
beer; a single measure of spirits or a small glass of
wine.) a. 1 or 2 0 b. 3 or 4 1 c. 5 or 6 2 d. 7
to 9 3 e. 10 or more 4
3. How often do you have six or more drinks on any one
occasion a. Never 0 b. Less than monthly 1 c. Monthly
2 d. Weekly 3 e. Daily or almost daily 4
4. How often during the last year have you found that you
were unable to stop drinking once you had started? a. Never
0 b. Less than monthly 1 c. Monthly 2 d. Weekly
3 e. Daily or almost daily 4
5. How often in the last year have you failed to do what
was expected of you because of drinking? a. Never 0 b.
Less than monthly 1 c. Monthly 2 d. Weekly 3 e.
Daily or almost daily 4
6. How often in the last year have you had a feeling of
guilt or remorse after drinking? a. Never 0 b. Less
than monthly 1 c. Monthly 2 d. Weekly 3 e. Daily or
almost daily 4
7. How often in the last year have you been unable to
remember what happened the night before because you had
been drinking? a. Never 0 b. Less than monthly 1 c.
Monthly 2 d. Weekly 3 e. Daily or almost daily 4
8. Have you or someone else been injured because of your
drinking? a. No 0 b. Yes, but not in the last year 2
c. Yes, during the last year 4
9. Has a relative or health worker been concerned about
your drinking or suggested you cut down? a. No 0 b.
Yes, but not in the last year 2 c. Yes, during the last
year 4
Your score: - Add up the scores for each question to give a
total out of 40. - If it is eight or above, you are a
'hazardous' drinker at risk of conditions such as liver
disease and depression. - If your total is over 16 you are
a 'harmful' drinker and your health is likely to be harmed.
If you feel you are at risk, then please be aware that
there are a number of different treatment options available
to you, most popular and successful including
detoxification, one-to-one and group therapy, residential
rehabilitation and self help. There are also many
organisations that are ready and willing to assist, these
including counselling services (both private and the NHS),
and many abstinence based 12 step programmes such as used
by Alcoholics Anonymous. Also for families and friends,
there is Families Anonymous.
Remember that help is out there and recovery is achievable.
----------------------------------------------------
Graham Baylis has been working with Tony Harrison of
InExcess for sometime now and together they are spreading
the word about how anyone with a dependency on alcohol or
drugs can break the habit and recover if they want to. For
more information on this increasingly socially important
topic, see their website at http://www.inexcess.tv
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