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| Prevention Home » |
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| UBH Prevention Program for Alcohol Abuse & Dependence |
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What is Alcohol Abuse & Dependence?
Alcohol abuse means having unhealthy or dangerous drinking habits, such as drinking too often or drinking too much. Alcohol abuse can harm your relationships, cause you to miss work, and make it hard to meet your obligations. It can lead to legal problems, such as being arrested for disorderly conduct or driving while intoxicated.
Alcohol dependence (alcoholism) means that you are not able to quit drinking on your own, even when you want to. If you are dependent on alcohol, you are physically and emotionally addicted to it. You might feel compelled to drink, and alcohol might take over your life. You might drink secretly or hide the amount that you drink. Over time, it will take larger amounts of alcohol before you feel its effects. You might get irritable or shaky or have other withdrawal symptoms when you are not able to drink or when you try to quit on your own.
Over time, drinking too much alcohol can cause or make worse health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, liver disease, gallstones, pancreatitis, and cancer. It can also cause problems at school or work and with relationships. If you have trouble with alcohol, cutting back or quitting can help you live a happier, healthier life.
What Causes Alcohol Abuse & Dependence?
It is not clear why some people develop alcohol use problems and others do not, although experts know that alcoholism can be passed down in families (genetic link).
Experts believe that alcohol problems are also caused by cultural values (such as being part of a group of people who drink a lot) and mental health issues (such as drinking as a way of coping with stress or problems).
What You Can do if You Think You Have a Problem with Alcohol
If you are physically dependent on alcohol, the first step of treatment is to relieve withdrawal symptoms. Treatment for withdrawal symptoms must be provided by your doctor. If your withdrawal symptoms are severe, your doctor might recommend that you stay in a hospital until they pass. Your doctor may give you medicines that can help you through withdrawal symptoms.
Once your withdrawal symptoms are treated, the second step of treatment is to work on staying sober. A combination of counseling, support groups, and sometimes medicine can help you do this.
Visit our "If You Think You Have a Problem with Alcohol..." page to use our confidential alcohol screening tool, or if you want to learn how to access treatment.
In an emergency, go to the nearest Emergency Room or call 911.
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