According to the World Health Organization, alcohol addiction is defined as a use disorder resulting from the repeated or continuous use of alcohol. According to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria determined by the American Psychiatric Association, alcohol addiction is a problematic pattern of alcohol use that, within a twelve-month period, is characterized by at least two of the following, leading to significant distress or impairment in daily life.
The main symptoms of alcohol addiction include:
Impairment in the ability to control use,
A persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use,
Giving more priority to alcohol use over other activities,
Failure to fulfill major obligations at work, school, or home,
A strong desire to use alcohol despite encountering harm or negative consequences,
Developing tolerance as alcohol gradually loses its former effect,
Often consuming more alcohol or for a longer period than intended,
Continuing alcohol use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of alcohol,
Repeatedly using alcohol in situations where it is physically hazardous,
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms after reducing or stopping alcohol use
What is Alcohol Withdrawal?
One of the frequently encountered situations related to alcohol use disorder is alcohol withdrawal. It typically occurs within the first 24 hours after the blood alcohol level begins to decrease 6-8 hours after stopping or reducing prolonged high alcohol consumption. Alcohol withdrawal is defined as the development of all or at least two of the following symptoms for up to two weeks. In short, withdrawal is the emergence of mental and physical problems during periods when alcohol is not consumed. Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening conditions.
During the alcohol withdrawal process;
Increase in temperature (hyperthermia)
Changes in heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
Increase in sweating and trembling
Nausea or vomiting
Headache
Insomnia
Anxiety, restlessness, etc.
Distress (inner discomfort)
Perceptual disturbances (hallucinations or illusions)
Epileptic seizures (seizures)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Disorientation, concentration, and attention disorders are observed
What Health Problems Does Alcohol Addiction Cause?
Risky alcohol use is one of the leading risk factors for the health of the world population and leads to many diseases, creating many social and economic burdens on societies. Alcohol addiction is often seen alongside different psychological or physical problems. Individuals diagnosed with alcohol addiction may experience mental problems such as addiction to different substances, mood disorders, depression, anxiety issues, schizophrenia, personality disorders, as well as physical issues such as liver enlargement, fatty liver, jaundice, cancer and cirrhosis, high blood pressure, heart enlargement and sudden crisis, vascular blockages.
Risky alcohol use causes impairments in brain functions, and as a result, balance disorders, difficulty in performing skill-requiring tasks, alcohol-related dementia, and memory impairment are very common.
Alcohol reduces testosterone (male) hormone while increasing estrogen (female) hormone. It disrupts the vitamin balance in the body. It causes dehydration. Since it increases fat storage, it leads to weight problems and also causes muscle wasting and weakness in muscles.
Risky alcohol use damages the nervous system, causing tremors in the hands and tingling, numbness in the legs.
Alcohol use may be used in some processes thinking it has a positive effect on sexuality or facilitates sexuality; however, contrary to popular belief, it causes many problems.
Alcohol use during pregnancy causes retardation in the growth and development process of the baby.
According to research, it is known that 3 million deaths worldwide are due to risky alcohol use. The harms caused by alcohol affect both the person using alcohol and their family members and those around them, leading to various health disorders and social problems.
Did you know?
According to the World Health Organization's 2018 Global Alcohol and Health Status Report, in 2016;
It is estimated that approximately 3 million deaths were due to harmful alcohol use, representing 5.3% of all deaths.
It is projected that 7.2% of premature deaths among those under 69 years old worldwide are due to alcohol.
Alcohol is thought to be responsible for 13.5% of deaths among those aged 20-39.
Harmful alcohol use is associated with more than 200 health problems.
Not only high levels of alcohol consumption but also low and moderate levels of alcohol consumption are significant risk factors for the development of heart diseases and stroke, liver cirrhosis, and some types of cancer. (European Commission and OECD's Health at a Glance: Europe 2020)
Quitting is Possible!
Alcohol is a brain disease that can be cured. Quitting alcohol can be difficult, but you can learn more about the quitting process and make it easier by getting support from a team of experts on addiction. The improvements you experience and observe when you quit alcohol will increase your motivation to stick to the quitting process.
What to Do?
Help the addicted person see the consequences of their actions.
Remember that the alcohol problem is a disease, change takes time.
Learn the correct way to communicate with the individual and try to be patient for change.
Be informed about addiction treatment methods.
Talk to the addict about these.
You can motivate them by emphasizing that you can accompany them to a center during the treatment process.
What Not to Do?
Avoid approaches such as hatred, hostility, speaking ill, cursing, giving moral lessons, and remember that you are trying to help them.
Addiction can continue and increase in secrecy. Hiding it, trying not to show it to the environment will cause the problem to deepen.