Patterns of Alcohol Patterns of Alcohol AbuseAbuse

Binge Drinking – periodic excessive Binge Drinking – periodic excessive drinking.drinking. Take form as a social event or contest.Take form as a social event or contest. Don’t think they are in trouble because Don’t think they are in trouble because

they do not drink every day.they do not drink every day. Alcohol Poisoning – dangerous toxic Alcohol Poisoning – dangerous toxic

condition that occurs when a person condition that occurs when a person drinks a large amount of alcohol in a drinks a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time.short period of time.

AlcoholismAlcoholism

Alcoholism – a physical and Alcoholism – a physical and psychological dependence on the psychological dependence on the drug ethanol.drug ethanol. It is a disease.It is a disease.

Traits of an AlcoholicTraits of an Alcoholic

Alcoholics are unable to stop drinking Alcoholics are unable to stop drinking despite the toll it takes on their health despite the toll it takes on their health and their lives.and their lives.

Exhibit on or more of the following Exhibit on or more of the following traits:traits: They are preoccupied in one way or They are preoccupied in one way or

another with alcohol.another with alcohol. Once they pick up the first drink, the Once they pick up the first drink, the

cannot promise predict what they will say cannot promise predict what they will say or do or how much they will drink.or do or how much they will drink.

They cannot manage tension without They cannot manage tension without drinking.drinking.

They may have personality changes or They may have personality changes or memory lapses due to drinking.memory lapses due to drinking.

Stages of AlcoholismStages of Alcoholism

There are three clearly defined There are three clearly defined stages of alcoholism that happen stages of alcoholism that happen over a period of time.over a period of time. AbuseAbuse Dependence Dependence AddictionAddiction

Stage OneStage One

Typically begins with social drinking.Typically begins with social drinking. Relax, relieve stress or depression.Relax, relieve stress or depression.

Type of drinking increases to relieve Type of drinking increases to relieve stress.stress.

A physical and psychological A physical and psychological dependency on alcohol develops.dependency on alcohol develops.

Person begins to drink and become Person begins to drink and become intoxicated regularly.intoxicated regularly.

Drinker may have short term Drinker may have short term memory loss and blackouts.memory loss and blackouts.

Drinker makes excuses and tries to Drinker makes excuses and tries to rationalize drinking behavior.rationalize drinking behavior.

Tolerance increases.Tolerance increases.

May be considered a problem drinker May be considered a problem drinker to others.to others.

Stage TwoStage Two

Person reaches a point where they Person reaches a point where they cannot stop drinking.cannot stop drinking.

Physically dependent.Physically dependent.

Individual may drink alone and every Individual may drink alone and every day.day.

Craving for alcohol may occur earlier Craving for alcohol may occur earlier in the day.in the day.

Physical and mental problems may Physical and mental problems may become evident.become evident.

More excuses are made and others More excuses are made and others are blamed.are blamed.

Defensive behavior is evident, the drinker Defensive behavior is evident, the drinker denies or tries to hide the problem.denies or tries to hide the problem.

Tolerance is still increasing and it takes Tolerance is still increasing and it takes more alcohol to become intoxicated.more alcohol to become intoxicated.

Drinking becomes central in persons life.Drinking becomes central in persons life.

Performance on the job, at school, or Performance on the job, at school, or at home decreases.at home decreases.

Frequent absences from school, Frequent absences from school, work, or other commitments occur.work, or other commitments occur.

Stage ThreeStage Three

Drinking is more important in the Drinking is more important in the persons life than anything else.persons life than anything else.

The problem can no longer be The problem can no longer be denied, and it is also uncontrolled.denied, and it is also uncontrolled.

Hallucinations may occur.Hallucinations may occur.

Alcohol is a constant companion.Alcohol is a constant companion.

MalnutritionMalnutrition

Person has fallen apart physically, Person has fallen apart physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.mentally, emotionally, and socially.

Decreased or reverse tolerance.Decreased or reverse tolerance.

Withdrawal Withdrawal DT’s : Delirium tremens: the dramatic DT’s : Delirium tremens: the dramatic

physical and psychological effects of physical and psychological effects of alcohol withdrawal.alcohol withdrawal.

Alcoholism cannot be cured, can be Alcoholism cannot be cured, can be treated.treated.