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Drug and Alcohol Information- The Spectrum of Drug and Alcohol Disorders -Drug and Alcohol Abuse Results In a Wide Spectrum of ProblemsSome people have such severe problems with alcohol that they can be easily identified as alcoholics. They cannot control the amount that they drink, causing obvious problems in their lives. They continue to use despite serious negative consequences caused by their excessive use. The social problems they create, losing their jobs or families, or getting arrested, cause them to become isolated and depressed. They minimize or deny these problems or use these problems as an excuse to keep on drinking or using. Other addicted individuals are able to function reasonably well when intoxicated. They can go on for years with out losing a job or getting arrested. They may be identified only when they develop severe medical problems.There is another, larger group of people whose use of alcohol or drugs causes problems but who have not regularly lost control of the amount they use. They drink or use heavily and have legal or social problems due to episodes of intoxication or chronic using. They miss days at work and cause conflicts in their families, but do not experience such severe physical or social difficulty as addicted individuals who are dependent on using. They also ignore and deny the negative consequences of their using. This group abuses drugs or alcohol but is not yet dependent on them. A third group of people, perhaps the largest group, use drugs or alcohol more heavily than is safe or recommended. Such use may occur intermittently or regularly in a manner that is hazardous to them and puts them at risk of developing severe consequences. If these users continue to use heavily, their at risk use will become abuse and they will join the middle group of people have regular problems from using. The use of alcohol or drugs by this third group is called at risk or hazardous. People who develop dependence on drugs or alcohol pass through these three stages at varying speed. Some progress from at-risk drinking to abusing alcohol rapidly and soon become dependent. Others take a longer time to gradually become addicted. Moderate drinking may be defined as one drink a day for women and one or two drinks a day for men. At this level, statistics suggest that there is some positive health benefit from using alcohol. There appears to be a lower risk of heart attacks with the moderate use of alcohol. Beyond this amount, the health benefit disappears and health problems from alcohol use begin to mount. Drinking three drinks a day for men or women causes an increased risk of strokes as well as an increased risk of death from many causes. Studies have shown that about a third of those with alcohol abuse or dependence also have an emotional disorder. Usually they have anxiety or panic disorders, depression, or bipolar or personality disorders. When someone has both an emotional and a drug or alcohol problem, we say they have a dual diagnosis. It is important to recognize when someone has both problems so that each can be treated appropriately. Early identification and treatment of alcohol and drug related disorders minimize the physical, emotional and social damage. We encourage anyone in early stages of alcohol or drug problems to seek treatment to protect themselves from further difficulties. Back to The Risk of Addiction |
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Home | How Online Treatment Works | Drug and Alcohol Informaton | Adolescent Treatment Website FAQs | About Us | Contact Us | Current News | Substance Abuse Professionals | Site Map Call us toll free: 1-877-75-SOBER (1-877-757-6237) | International : +1-408-885-8336   © 2005 eGetgoing, Inc. | Policies, Privacy & Health Information Practices | Last Updated: 11/20/2008  |
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