Alcohol Dependence (Alcoholism) What is alcohol dependence? Alcohol dependence (alcoholism) is a disease that includes: the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get high a strong urge to not being able to control your drinking even though you know that it is harmful withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, and shakiness when you stop drinking. that you have lost control over your use of alcohol include: not being able to limit your drinking even when you try having problems at work or with friends or family because of your alcohol use spending a lot of time and energy drinking alcohol or getting over its effects. Alcohol dependence is one of the most common illnesses seen by healthcare providers. It is especially serious in older people. Abuse of alcohol may cause health problems or make existing health problems worse. What is the cause? The cause of alcohol dependence is not known. It is more likely if you have: family members who are dependent on alcohol stress that is ongoing family and friends who regularly ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or anxiety What are the symptoms? Alcohol dependence takes many forms including: drinking from time to time drinking all the time drinking. When you drink alcohol regularly, it changes how your body works. Your liver processes the alcohol faster. You need to drink more to keep the same amount of alcohol in the blood. Alcohol users often drink to avoid withdrawal symptoms. People who are dependent on alcohol may: Drink alone or try to hide their drinking. Promise to give up drinking. Drink stronger alcoholic beverages or start to drink earlier in the day. Have problems at work, miss work, or spend too much money. Have problems in relationships. Black out, be confused, or have memory problems. Lose interest in food. Have mood changes, such as getting angry or irritable. Hurt themselves or others while drunk. Physical symptoms may include: nausea or shaking in the morning poor eating habits stomach pain
Alcohol Dependence (Alcoholism) What is alcohol dependence? Alcohol dependence (alcoholism) is a disease that includes: the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get high a strong urge to not being able to control your drinking even though you know that it is harmful withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, and shakiness when you stop drinking. that you have lost control over your use of alcohol include: not being able to limit your drinking even when you try having problems at work or with friends or family because of your alcohol use spending a lot of time and energy drinking alcohol or getting over its effects. Alcohol dependence is one of the most common illnesses seen by healthcare providers. It is especially serious in older people. Abuse of alcohol may cause health problems or make existing health problems worse. What is the cause? The cause of alcohol dependence is not known. It is more likely if you have: family members who are dependent on alcohol stress that is ongoing family and friends who regularly ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or anxiety What are the symptoms? Alcohol dependence takes many forms including: drinking from time to time drinking all the time drinking. When you drink alcohol regularly, it changes how your body works. Your liver processes the alcohol faster. You need to drink more to keep the same amount of alcohol in the blood. Alcohol users often drink to avoid withdrawal symptoms. People who are dependent on alcohol may: Drink alone or try to hide their drinking. Promise to give up drinking. Drink stronger alcoholic beverages or start to drink earlier in the day. Have problems at work, miss work, or spend too much money. Have problems in relationships. Black out, be confused, or have memory problems. Lose interest in food. Have mood changes, such as getting angry or irritable. Hurt themselves or others while drunk. Physical symptoms may include: nausea or shaking in the morning poor eating habits stomach pain
Alcohol_Dependence_(Alcoholism).docx