Dependencies/ Habit Forming Stuff: Alcohol

Alcohol

Socially accepted way of letting hair down & loosening the tongue

The size of the drink needs to increase over time for the same kick

Potentially addictive

Is it as good as it is made out to be

• Causes numbness ( People assume it relaxes them)
• In moderation good; but soon demand increases
• All types are potentially addictive ( wine/ beer included)
• Depresses nervous system rather than stimulating it
• Causes issues on personal , social, familial & occupational levels

Can alter mood but can be addictive

Alcohol abuse is when the amount ( varies from person to person) consumed is excessive & craving/ deriving pleasure from same

To achieve samepleasure more & more quantities are required

Socially accepted so easily available & tendency to have it socially & escape mechanism from stress = vicious circle

How to become an alcoholic:

Start drinking excessively & don’t stop drinking till you lose all control & make a joke out of yourself

It does not happen overnight; starts with a thought- always assuming this time I will stop in time Issues with Alcoholism

Absenteeism/ performance/ sexual life impaired/social life impaired

Social life starts to suffer/ Family embarrassment/ Occupation hazard: Small thought/ fun derived/ small peg/ habitually evenings/ necessity/ larger pegs/ all the time/ Craving/ Unable to do without it                  ( Morning drinking indicative of dependence)

2 pegs a day 4-5 days a week: Anything over this is an abuse of alcohol

At this stage person has to take a drink to avoid symptoms of withdrawal (tremors/ vomiting / aches / pains)

Effects of alcohol manifest after 5-10 years

Excessive drinking causes harm to all organs of the body

• Irritation in food pipe & stomach  + acidity & ulcers
• Liver damage
• Damage overtime to kidneys, nerves & muscles
• Brain damage overtime
• Impaired judgement

Psychological Disturbances due to drinking

• Depression
• Behavioral disturbances
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Social issues & family life spoilt

Effects on children if father/ mother alcoholic: Child becomes aloof from father

Women roles at home effected (Pregnant time drinking is linked to babies having attention deficit disorders)

Crux of Treatment is MOTIVATION

Can DO (withdrawal symptoms shall be taken care of by doctors)

Need moral support that they can again become productive members of society

Need our affection, consideration & understanding

No one else can help you- they can only help to help you

AA

Restart due to overconfidence

Reduce- Dilute- YNWA- Interests- the company you keep- physically away from regular spots