What is Alcohol Abuse?
Alcohol abuse differs from alcoholism in that it does not include an extremely strong craving for alcohol, loss of control over drinking, or physical dependence. Alcohol abuse is defined as a pattern of drinking that results in one or more of the following situations within a 12-month period:
- Failure to fulfill major work, school, or home responsibilities;
- Drinking in situations that are physically dangerous, such as while driving a car or operating machinery;
- Having recurring alcohol-related legal problems, such as being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or for physically hurting someone while drunk; and
- Continued drinking despite having ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by the drinking.
Although alcohol abuse is basically different from alcoholism, many effects of alcohol abuse are also experienced by alcoholics.
What Are the Signs of a Problem?
How can you tell whether you may have a drinking problem? Answering the following four questions can help you find out:
- Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
- Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
- Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
- Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning (as an "eye opener") to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?
One "yes" answer suggests a possible alcohol problem. If you answered "yes" to more than one question, it is highly likely that a problem exists. In either case, it is important that you see your doctor or other health care provider right away to discuss your answers to these questions. He or she can help you determine whether you have a drinking problem and, if so, recommend the best course of action.
Even if you answered "no" to all of the above questions, if you encounter drinking-related problems with your job, relationships, health, or the law, you should seek professional help. The effects of alcohol abuse can be extremely serious—even fatal—both to you and to others.
Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
What to Ask
Questions to ask a potential rehabilitation center:
- Does the drug rehab accept your insurance? If not, will they work with you on a payment plan or find other means of support for you?
- Is the drug rehab run by state-accredited, licensed and/or trained professionals?
- Is the drug rehab clean, organized and well-run?
- Does the drug rehab program encompass the full range of needs of the individual (medical: including infectious diseases; psychological: including co-occurring mental illness; social; vocational; legal; etc.)?
- Does the drug rehab program also address sexual orientation and physical disabilities as well as provide age, gender and culturally appropriate treatment services?
- Is long-term aftercare support and/or guidance encouraged, provided and maintained after leaving the drug rehab?
- Is there ongoing assessment of an individual's treatment plan to ensure it meets changing needs?
- Does the drug rehab employ strategies to engage and keep individuals in longer-term treatment, increasing the likelihood of success?
- Does the drug rehab offer counseling (individual or group) and other behavioral therapies to enhance the individual's ability to function in the family/community?
- Does the drug rehab program offer medication as part of the treatment regimen, if appropriate?
- Is there ongoing monitoring of possible relapse to help guide patients back to abstinence?
- Are services or referrals offered to family members to ensure they understand addiction and the recovery process to help them support the recovering individual?
