alcoholic behaviour

8/4/2019 Alcoholic Behaviour

1/21

Alcoholic Behaviour

Alcoholism is a progressive degenerative disease that can be broken down into four

stages of classic alcoholic behavior. Unfortunately, classic alcoholic behavior typicallyincludes an increase in drinking problems, deteriorating health, denial, and a loss ofcontrol as an individual's alcohol dependency progresses.

Classic Alcoholic Behaviour in the First Stage of Alcoholism

In the first stage of alcoholism, drinking is no longer social but becomes a

means of psychological escape from inhibitions, problems, and stress. Stated

differently, early in the disease the problem drinker starts to depend on the

mood altering capabilities of alcohol.

Also at this first stage of alcoholism, a gradual increase in tolerance develops,

meaning that increasing amounts of alcohol are required in order for the person

to "feel the buzz" or to "get high."

It is typical for people in the first stage to start gulping a few drinks before

attending a social function and increasing social drinking to 3 to 5 drinks per

day.

The following represents some of the classic alcoholic behaviors, alcohol

effects, and drinking problems experienced by problem drinkers in the first

stage of alcoholism

Boasting and a "big shot" complex

Gross Drinking Behavior - more frequent drinking of greater amounts

An ability to drink great amounts of alcohol without any apparent

impairment

Increasing tolerance

Drinking is not social but a psychological escape from stress and

problems


2/21

Lack of recognition by the person that he or she is in the early stages of a

progressive illness

A conscious effort to seek out more drinking opportunities

Classic Alcoholic Behavior in the Second Stage of Alcoholism

In the second stage of alcoholism, the need to drink becomes more intense. And

as the drinking becomes more extreme, the person's drinking problems usually

increase.

Typically at this stage, the problem drinker starts to drink earlier in the day. As

tolerance increases, the person drinks because of dependence on alcohol, ratherthan because of psychological stress relief. During this stage, loss of control

does not yet happen on a regular basis; it is, however, gradually observed by

others such as friends and family members.

Also at this stage of the disease, the person with the drinking problem may

begin to feel shame and to worry about his or drinking. Frequently, problem

drinkers in this stage unsuccessfully attempt to stop drinking. At times they

may change brands of alcohol to switch from hard liquor or wine to beer. To

help quiet the internal conflict they now experience, they start to resort to denial

of their drinking problems.

During this stage, physical symptoms such as hand tremors, blackouts,

hangovers, and stomach problems increase. Rather than focusing on their

drinking as the cause of the many drinking problems they face, many problem

drinkers start to blame others and things external to themselves.

The following represents some of the drinking problems, classic alcoholic

behaviors, and alcohol effects suffered by problem drinkers in the second stage

of alcoholism:

Denial

Chronic hangovers


3/21

Drinking because of dependence rather than for stress relief

More frequent blackouts

Blaming problems on others and on things external to themselves

Physical problems increase

Feelings of guilt and shame

Sneaking extra drinks before social events

Sporadic loss of control

Gulping the first few drinks to feel the "buzz" faster

Increasing tolerance

Unsuccessful attempts to stop drinking

Classic Alcoholic Behaviour in the Third Stage of Alcoholism

In the third stage of alcoholism, the loss of control becomes common, meaning

that the person with the drinking problem is unable to drink according to his or

her intentions. For instance, once the problem drinker takes the first drink, he

or she can no longer control what will happen, even though the intention might

have been to have two or three drinks. During this stage of the disease, the

individual with the drinking problem starts to experience serious employment,

financial, and relationship, and legal difficulties that are directly associated with

the person's drinking problems.

In addition, the problem drinker starts to avoid friends and family and

experiences a loss of interest in things that used to be important. Also common

during this stage are "eye-openers," that is, drinks that are taken whenever the

person with the drinking problem awakens. Eye-openers are usually taken to

calm the nerves, lessen a hangover, or to quiet their feelings of remorse the

drinker experiences after a period of time without a drink.


4/21

As the drinking increases the person starts to neglect most things of importance,

even necessities such as food and shelter. Ironically, at this stage of the disease,

rather than experiencing an increase in tolerance, the problem drinker

experiences a DECREASE in alcohol tolerance, meaning that less alcohol is

needed to feel the effects of alcohol.

And finally, during this stage, the drinker with the drinking problem frequently

makes half-hearted attempts at seeking medical aid. Due to the fact that

problem drinkers will not admit the extent of their drinking problems, however,

they rarely receive any lasting medical treatment. Even when they disclose a

small part of the "truth" regarding their drinking behaviors with their doctor or

with a health care practitioner, moreover, they usually fail to follow through

with the medical instructions, thus accomplishing little, if anything of value

regarding their disease.

The following represents some of the alcohol effects, drinking problems, and

classic alcoholic behaviors experienced by problem drinkers in the third stage of

alcoholism:

Loss of interests

Half-hearted attempts at seeking medical aid

The start of physical deterioration

The development of an alibi system - an elaborate system of excuses for

their drinking

Increased tremors

Aggressive and grandiose behavior

Loss of willpower

Avoidance of family and friends

Frequent violent or destructive behavior


5/21

A decrease in alcohol tolerance

Loss of willpower

Unreasonable resentments

Problems with the law (e.g, DUIs)

Neglect of necessities such as food

An increase in failed promises and resolutions to one's self and to others

Eye-openers

Serious financial, relationship, and work-related problems

Loss of control have become a pattern

Classic Alcoholic Behavior in the Fourth Stage of Alcoholism

The fourth and final stage of alcoholism is characterised by a chronic loss of

control. In the earlier stages of the disease, the problem drinker may have been

successful in maintaining a job. Now, however, drinking starts earlier in the day

and usually continues throughout the day. Few, if any, full-time jobs, however,

can be maintained once a person is in this state. In the earlier stages of

dependency, the alcoholic had a choice whether he or she would take the first

drink. Once the alcoholic had the first drink, he or she usually lost all control

and would then continue drinking. In the last stage of alcoholism, however,

alcoholics no longer have a choice: they must drink so they can function

throughout the day.

During the last stage of alcoholism, benders are typical. That is, in this stage,

the alcoholic gets helplessly drunk and may remain in this condition for days at

a time. The unattainable goal for the alcoholic at this time is to find the feeling

of euphoria they once experienced. In this stage, the alcoholic manifests an

utter disregard for everything, including food, shelter, family, and job. These


6/21

occasional flights into oblivion are best described as drinking to get away from

the problems caused by drinking.

In the second or third stages of alcoholism the alcoholic's hands may have

trembled slightly on mornings after getting drunk. In the final stage of

alcoholism, however, alcoholics get "the shakes" whenever they try or are

forced to abstain from drinking. These tremors are an indication of a severe

nervous disorder that now affects the entire body. When "the shakes" are

combined with hallucinations, the result is known as "the DTs" or delirium

tremens, a potentially fatal form of alcohol withdrawal if the alcoholic does not

receive medical attention. After an attack of the DTs, many alcoholics promise

to never drink again. Sadly, most of them do not and can not fulfill their

promise, and so they eventually return to drinking, and the process starts all

over again.

In the final stage of alcoholism, having an easily accessible supply of alcohol

close at hand (to avoid "the shakes") becomes the most important thing in the

life of the alcoholic. During this stage, the alcoholic will do almost anything to

get the alcohol they require. Once the alcohol is secured, the alcoholic will

usually hide their bottles so that they can get a drink whenever they need it,

which usually means any hour of the day or the night.

The following represents some of the classic alcoholic behaviors, alcohol

effects, and drinking problems in the fourth stage of alcoholism:

The realization of being out of control

Continual loss of control

Indefinable fears

"The shakes"

the "DTs"

Devaluation of personal relationships


7/21

Persistent remorse

Loss of tolerance for alcohol

Unreasonable resentments and hostility toward others

Nameless fears and anxieties such as feelings of impending doom or

destruction

Auditory and visual hallucinations

Impaired thinking

The collapse of the alibi system

Moral deterioration

Vague spiritual desires

Benders, or lengthy intoxications

The possibility of alcoholic psychosis

Obsession with drinking

Alcoholics Information

People with a "drinking problem and who are addicted to

alcohol are defined as "alcoholics." When some of the basic

alcoholics information is revealed from substance abuse

research, the following characteristics of alcoholic behavior are

observed: alcoholics suffer from alcohol withdrawal symptoms

when they stop drinking; they continue drinking despite

negative consequences such as employment, legal,

relationship problems.

Not only this, but alcohol dependent people also exhibit the

following alcoholic behaviors: their drinking behavior is out of

control; they experience increased tolerance over time; they


8/21

drink more at each sitting and they drink more frequently; their

drinking interferes with their family, friends, or work; and they

experience unsuccessful efforts to reduce their drinking.

If this alcoholic behavior sounds like an unpleasant set of

circumstances, you are correct. The effects of alcoholism are

not only unhealthy and debilitating, but in many instances,

they are lethal. This leads us to articulate the following

message to alcoholics: "alcohol addiction doesn't get better.

It gets worse until someone dies. You need to take action and

get professional alcoholism treatment and you need to take

action now. And by the way, your alcoholic behavior is probably

destroying the lives of those who care for you the most."

A Basic But Essential Question: What is An Alcoholic?

For most people who drink, alcohol is a pleasant experience,especially when engaged in social activities. Moderate alcohol

use can be defined as having up to two drinks per day for men

and one drink per day for women. In most instances, drinking

in moderation is not harmful for most adults.

A large number of people, however, simply cannot drink

because of the problems they encounter when drinking. In fact,

approximately 14 million Americans are alcoholics or chronic

alcohol abusers.

In fact, according to recent studies, it has been discovered that

approximately 53% of adults in the United States have reported

that one or more of their close relatives has a "drinking

problem."


9/21

Definition of Alcoholic. People with a "drinking problem" and

who are addicted to alcohol are defined as "alcoholics." Simply

put, alcoholics, through their irresponsible, excessive and

abusive drinking behavior have developed alcoholism. With

this in mind, some of the characteristics ofalcoholic behavior

are the following:

Withdrawal, that is, unpleasant symptoms similar to having the flu when

drinking is stopped

Unsuccessful efforts to cut down drinking

Drinking larger amounts or over longer periods of time

Continued drinking in site of negative consequences such as a DUI

conviction, divorce, or loss of job

Drinking that interferes with one's job, family, or friends

Increased tolerance, meaning that over time more alcohol is required to

get drunk

Alcoholics Need Help

It is important to point out that if you observe your friends,

relatives, or family members displaying any of these

characteristics, consider them as symptoms or signs of

alcoholic behavior. And if your family members, friends, or

relatives exhibit some of these signs or symptoms, they may

need professional alcoholism help.

Stated differently, they may need alcoholic treatment or they

may need to enter an alcohol rehabilitation facility so that they

stop drinking and get sober. In short, without achieving

sobriety, alcohol recovery is virtually impossible.


10/21

The Alcoholic Personality

Do some people possess an "alcoholic personality"? The notion

that the personality of an alcoholic exists before the onset of

the disease is most strongly articulated by those who advocate

a concept known as the "addictive personality." According to

supporters of this concept, the addictive personality is a

distinct psychological trait that predisposes particular people to

addictions.

In spite of the debate in the psychological, medical, and

neurobiological research communities about the existence as

well as the character of this trait, it is, however, observable and

verifiable that brain functions contribute to various addictions.

Building on this framework, many experts currently believe that

the predisposition to addiction is more accurately a

combination of environmental, psychological, and biologicalfactors.

The Consequences of Alcoholic Behavior

According to alcoholics information from the alcoholism

research literature, the consequences of alcoholic behavior are

not only serious, but in many cases, fatal. Excessive drinking

can increase the risk for certain cancers, such as cancer of the

throat, esophagus, larynx, and of the liver. Chronic, heavy

drinking can also lead to cirrhosis of the liver, brain damage,

harm to the fetus while the mother is pregnant, and problems

with the immune system. Abusive drinking also increases the

risk of death from motor vehicle accidents as well as

recreational and work-related injuries.


11/21

Additionally, abusive drinking increases the risk of death from

motor vehicle accidents as well as recreational and work-

related injuries. Not only this, but suicides and homicides are

more likely to committed by people who have been drinking.

In simple economic terms, alcohol-related issues and problems

in the United States cost society almost $200 billion per year.

In human terms, the cost of the following alcohol-related issues

cannot be calculated: broken homes, child abuse, fatalities,

injuries, illnesses, wife battering, failed health, and destroyed

lives. Moreover, the consequences of alcoholism do not

necessarily stop with the recovery or the death of the

alcoholic. Indeed, evidence to support this claim can be

substantiated by children of alcoholics or adult children of

alcoholics. It is alcoholism and alcoholics information like this

that truly reveals how extensive and how devastating alcohol

addiction is.

The Causes of Alcoholic Behavior

A question that has entered the minds of many people is the

following: why can some people drink alcohol without problems

or any negative consequences while others cannot? In short,

what causes alcohol behavior?

One answer to this question involves genetics. More

specifically, researchers have discovered that having an

alcoholic family member increases the risk of developing

alcoholism.


12/21

In fact, there may be a genetic predisposition for certain

individuals to become dependent on alcohol. In addition,

behavioral scientists have found that various environment

factors can interact with one's genetics. Examples include the

relative ease of obtaining alcohol, peer pressure or peer

influence, where and how a person lives, and one's family and

friends

The Alcoholic Rehab Center: Counseling, Medications, and

Support

Most of the non-12-step alcohol rehab methodologies take

place in an alcoholic rehab center, a rehabilitation hospital, or

in a drug and alcohol clinic.

Healthcare professionals in these treatment facilities emphasize

therapeutic practices that focus on the use of doctor prescribed

medications, extensive counseling, education, and training, and

staff support.

In addition, more than a few these non-12-step rehab

approaches treat alcoholism and alcohol abuse from both a

physiological and an emotional vantage point.

Some of the more effective alcohol treatment programs are

more inclusive than others and accordingly direct their

attention to how alcoholics and alcohol abusers will respond to

and manage their finances, employment issues, and

relationships after they complete rehab, become sober, and

return home.


13/21

Finally, some of the more successful alcoholic rehab centers

operate from a holistic standpoint that helps alcohol abusers

and alcoholics single out and cope with various circumstances

that most probably led to their drinking problems in the first

place.

Some of these important and potentially hazardous issues

include the following:

Poor interpersonal relationship skills

A sense of loss

Pain

Poor anger management skills

Grief

Unemployment

Poor financial management skills

Spirituality issues

Poor coping skills

Career indecision

The Need for Outpatient Follow-Up Treatment

When a problem drinker undergoes alcohol rehab, it becomes

vitally important to concentrate on what he or she will do after

he or she has finished treatment.


14/21

Indeed, overcoming one's alcohol withdrawal symptoms and

getting through the detoxification process are indispensable to

the treatment process, but so is the follow-up counseling,

training, and education that highly competent alcoholic rehab

centers commonly begin as soon as the problem drinker

completes inpatient, residential treatment.

Some of the more successful non-12-step alcoholic rehab

centers, for instance, provide follow-up outpatient counseling,

education, and training for one year after the residential part of

rehab is finished.

Simply put, the higher quality and more broad-based alcoholic

rehab centers focus their rehab on methodologies that are

developed and put into practice for long-lasting success rather

than on short-term, quick and easy therapeutic results.

How to Treat Alcohol Withdrawals At Home

One of the first things that many alcoholics ask others about

when they are trying to quit drinking is how to treat alcohol

withdrawals at home. The answer to this question is very

simple: you don't.

Do Not Treat Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms At Home!


15/21

When people who drink excessively try to stop drinking, they

experience withdrawal symptoms.

One of the first things that many of these people ask others

about is how to treat alcohol withdrawals at home. The answer

to this question is very important:

People who are experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms

should not treat these symptoms at home.

Instead, they need to seek medical assistance immediately so

that their doctor, emergency room personnel, healthcare

provider, or urgent care center personnel can assess the

severity of their withdrawal symptoms and suggest the best

option for treatment.

To understand all of the reasons why people suffering from

alcohol withdrawal symptoms should immediately seek medical

assistance, consider the following.

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a group of symptoms exhibited

by individuals who stop drinking alcohol after a pattern of

continuous and excessive consumption. These symptoms can

range from mild to moderate to severe and include both

behavioral and psychological aspects.

The following represents mild to moderate psychological

withdrawal symptoms that typically occur within 6 to 48 hours

after the last alcoholic drink: anxiety, feeling nervous or jumpy,

depression, fatigue, irritability, nightmares, rapid emotional

changes, and difficulty thinking clearly.


16/21

The following represents mild to moderate physical withdrawal

symptoms that typically occur within 6 to 48 hours after the

last alcoholic drink: loss of appetite, nausea, rapid heart rate,

vomiting, pulsating headaches, clammy skin, abnormal

movements, sweating (especially on the palms of the hands or

on the face), sleeping difficulties, tremor of the hands, looking

pale, involuntary movements of the eyelids, and enlarged or

dilated pupils.

The following represents severe withdrawal symptoms that

typically occur within 48 to 96 hours after the last alcoholic

drink: muscle tremors, extreme confusion, severe autonomic

nervous system overactivity, black outs, convulsions, high

fever, seizures, delirium tremens (DTs), visual hallucinations,

and agitation.

Most Withdrawal Cases Don't Require Hospitalization

Recent research demonstrates that it is important to treat

every person who is experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Having

said this, it can be pointed out that around 95% of the people

who quit drinking alcohol suffer from mild to moderate

withdrawal symptoms and can usually be treated on an out-

patient basis by a healthcare professional.

The remaining 5% of people who experience withdrawal

symptoms, however, suffer symptoms so severe that they must

be treated in a hospital or in an alcohol rehabilitation facility

that specializes in detoxification.

Non-Drug Detox Programs


17/21

A number of different techniques exist for treating alcohol

withdrawal. While some of these treatments use medications,

many, however, do not. Indeed, according to current research

studies, the safest way to treat mild withdrawal symptoms is

without medications. Such types of non-drug detoxification use

screening and extensive social support throughout the

withdrawal process. Other non-drug detoxification programs,

moreover, use vitamin therapy (especially thiamin) and proper

nutrition in treating mild withdrawal symptoms.

Detoxification with Drugs

Alcoholism researchers claim that chronic alcoholics who

cannot maintain abstention should receive drug therapy to

treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms. By using medications,

these alcoholics are less likely to experience possible brain

damage or seizures.

Recent research demonstrates that the drugs most likely to

produce effective results when treating alcohol withdrawal are

the benzodiazepines: the longer-acting benzodiazepines like

Valium and Librium or the shorter-acting benzodiazepines such

as Ativan and Serax.

Traditionally, when administering benzodiazepines, physicians

have employed a progressive decrease in doses over the time-

frame of the withdrawal process. In addition, due to the fact

that these drugs allow for measurable dose reductions and do

not linger in the person's system numerous authorities have

suggested that intermediate to short half-life benzodiazepines

should be used for treating withdrawal symptoms.


18/21

Outpatient and Inpatient Detoxification Programs

The research on inpatient and outpatient detoxification

programs is also important. Studies have shown that inpatient

detoxification is more effective and longer-lasting than

outpatient detox programs. The important issue here is the

following: the more severe the alcohol-related withdrawal

symptoms, the more likely that inpatient detox programs

should be used.

Perhaps the most important lesson to be learned from the

above discussion is this: When experiencing alcohol withdrawal

symptoms, always see your healthcare provider or your doctor

immediately so that he or she can assess the severity of your

situation and suggest the best option for treatment.

What Health Problems Can Alcohol Cause

Short Term and Long Term Alcohol-Related

Problems

Some alcohol-related drinking problems, such as interpersonal

relationship issues, driving impairment, and negative

interactions with medications can manifest themselves after

drinking over a relatively short period of time.

Other drinking problems, conversely, can develop more

gradually over time and may become noticeable only after

heavy drinking for an extended period of time.

These are the drinking problems that represent the long-term

effects of alcohol abuse and help answer the following

question: what health problems can alcohol cause?


19/21

It is important to note that women may develop alcohol-related

health problems after consuming less alcohol than men over a

shorter time period.

Since alcohol affects many organs in the body, long-term

excessive drinking puts a person at risk for developing serious

health problems.

Stated differently, the long term effects of alcohol abuse can

lead to a gradual breakdown of different organs and systems in

the body that can result in serious, if not fatal, health problems

and issues.

Alcohol-Related Heart Disease

One of the few verifiable positive aspects of drinking alcohol is

that drinking in moderation can actually have positive effects

on the heart, especially with individuals who are at the greatest

risk for heart attacks, such as women after menopause and

men over the age of 45. Long-term excessive drinking, on the

other hand, increases the risk for certain kinds of stroke, high

blood pressure, and heart disease.

Alcohol-Related Pancreatitis

The pancreas helps regulate the body's blood sugar levels by

producing insulin. In addition, the pancreas is instrumental in

digesting the food people eat. Long-term excessive drinking

can lead to pancreatitis (that is, an inflammation of the


20/21

pancreas). Pancreatitis is associated with excessive weight loss

and severe abdominal pain and can lead to death.

Alcohol-Related Cancer

Long-term heavy drinking by problem drinkers increases the

risk of developing certain types of cancer, especially cancer of

the esophagus, mouth, throat, and the voice box. Research has

shown, moreover, that women who drink two or more drinks

per day slightly increase their risk for developing breast cancer.

Excessive drinking may also increase the risk for developing

cancer of the colon and of the rectum.

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

More than 2 million problem drinkers in the U.S. suffer from

alcohol-related liver disease. For example, some people with a

drinking problem develop alcoholic hepatitis (that is, aninflammation of the liver) as a consequence of long-term heavy

drinking.

The symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis include the

following: fever, jaundice (an abnormal yellowing of the urine,

skin, and the eyeballs), and abdominal pain. If the individual

persists in drinking, moreover, alcoholic hepatitis can be fatal.

If the problem drinker stops drinking, however, alcoholic

hepatitis is frequently reversible.

Approximately 10 to 20 % of the problem drinkers who drink

excessively develop cirrhosis of the liver (that is, a scarring of

the liver). Alcoholic cirrhosis can be fatal if the person with the

drinking problem continues to drink. Even though cirrhosis is


21/21

irreversible, if the problem drinker stops drinking, his or her

chances of survival can improve dramatically.

Although some people with a drinking problem may eventually

need a liver transplant as a last resort, numerous problem

drinkers with cirrhosis who abstain from drinking alcoholic

beverages can receive treatment and may never require liver

transplantation.

Other Long Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse

In addition to the diseases outlined above, excessive drinking

over time is also associated with the following drinking

problems:

nerve damage

epilepsy

irritated stomach lining and bleeding from stomach ulcers

loss of brain cells

Excessive drinking has also been linked to the following:

vitamin deficiency

muscle disease

obesity

sexual problems

infertility

skin problems

alcoholic behaviour

Documents