Topic Overview
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This topic is about alcohol abuse and dependence in adults. If you are looking for information about teens or children, see the topic Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
What are alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence?
Alcohol abuse means having unhealthy or dangerous drinking habits, such as drinking every day or drinking too much at a time. Alcohol abuse can harm your relationships, cause you to miss work, and make it hard to do the things you need to do. It can lead to legal problems, such as being arrested for disorderly conduct or driving while intoxicated. If alcohol abuse continues, it can lead to alcohol dependence.
Alcohol dependence is also called alcoholism. Alcoholics cannot quit drinking or control how much they drink, even when they try to. They are physically and emotionally addicted to alcohol. They often feel like they must drink just to get by. They might drink secretly or hide the amount they drink. Alcohol controls their lives. Over time, alcoholics need to drink more before they can feel the effects of alcohol. They get grouchy or shaky or have other withdrawal symptoms when they are not able to drink or when they try to quit.
Over time, drinking too much alcohol can cause or make worse health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, liver disease, gallstones, pancreatitis, and certain types of cancer. If you have trouble with alcohol, cutting back or quitting can help you live a happier, healthier life.
How much drinking is too much?
Drinking can become a habit. You might have friends or family members who drink often, so drinking a lot might seem normal. Or you might not realize how much or how often you drink. You might not be aware of the problems that alcohol causes in your life. But the more you drink, the greater is your risk for becoming addicted to alcohol. You also have an increased chance of having health problems or other problems as a result.
You are drinking too much if you are:1
- A woman who has more than 3 drinks at one time or more than 7 standard drinks a week.
- A man who has more than 4 drinks at one time or more than 14 standard drinks a week.
- 1 can or bottle of beer [12 fl oz (355 mL)].
- 1 glass of wine [5 fl oz (148 mL)].
- 1 mixed drink containing 1.5 fl oz (44 mL) of hard liquor.
While some studies show that moderate drinking may have some health benefits, most doctors do not recommend that you start drinking for your heart or other health reasons. The risks of drinking alcohol usually outweigh any benefits.
Many people who have alcohol problems are successful in other areas of their lives, and they might even be able to hide their problem for years. These people often deny that they have a problem. The good news is that when people admit to themselves and others that they have a problem and make a commitment to change, most are able to cut their drinking back to a safe level or to quit altogether.
If you think you might have a drinking problem, take a short quiz to evaluate your symptoms:
What causes alcohol abuse and dependence?
It is not clear why some people have problems with alcohol and others do not, although experts know that alcoholism can be passed down in families (genetic link). Experts believe that alcohol problems are also caused by cultural values (such as being part of a group of people who drink a lot) and mental health issues (such as drinking as a way of coping with stress or problems). Addiction to alcohol is not a sign of weakness and does not mean you lack willpower. Alcoholism is a long-term disease, just like asthma or diabetes.
What are the signs of alcohol abuse and dependence?
You might have problems with alcohol abuse if:
- You have had trouble at work, school, or home because of drinking or being hung over.
- You have been in situations where you could have been hurt or could have hurt someone else because of your drinking, such as driving while intoxicated.
- You have had legal problems caused by drinking.
- You kept drinking even though you knew it was causing problems with your family or friends.
You might be dependent on alcohol if you have had three or more of the following problems in the last year:
- You need to drink much more than you once did to get the same effect. Or when you drink the usual amount, the effect is less than before.
- When you don't drink, you notice withdrawal symptoms (such as shakiness, sweating, or trouble sleeping), or you drink just to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
- You drink more often than you want to, or you drink larger amounts than you want to.
- You have tried unsuccessfully to quit drinking or to cut back the amount you drink.
- You spend a lot of time drinking and recovering from drinking.
- You have given up other activities that are important to you so that you can drink.
- You continue to drink even though you know your drinking might be causing problems.
How are alcohol problems diagnosed and treated?
Your doctor may diagnose alcohol abuse and dependence by asking questions about your symptoms and past health. He or she will give you a physical exam and sometimes a mental health assessment. Keep in mind that you will need to honestly answer questions about your drinking for your doctor to be able to help you. Further testing may be done to look for other health problems related to alcohol.
Admitting that you have a drinking problem can be hard, but it is the first step to recovery. Although starting to drink again is common, alcohol problems can be overcome.
People typically do not seek treatment for alcohol abuse until they are ready. They must accept that they are addicted and no longer have control of their lives. Sometimes family members point out the problem. Other times, people recognize that they have a problem after they have been arrested or lost a job or had other setbacks as a result of their drinking.
You can take steps today to stop drinking. Your first step might be to see your doctor, contact a support group, or set a date in the near future to stop.
Treatment depends on the extent of the problem. Some people are able to simply cut back to a moderate level of drinking with help from a counselor. Alcoholics need more help. People who are physically addicted to alcohol may need medical treatment when they stop drinking. They may need to stay in a hospital or treatment center where they get medicines to prevent seizures and other symptoms of withdrawal.
Once withdrawal symptoms have passed, the second step of treatment is to work on staying sober. Quitting alcohol is often described by alcoholics as one of the most difficult but worthwhile challenges in life.
Most people need continuing support to help stay sober. This can come from counseling or a support group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Staying sober is a lifelong process.
Alcohol use problems can harm the relationships in your family. Often family therapy and education are a part of the recovery process.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Health Tools
Health tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.
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Actionsets are designed to help people take an active role in managing a health condition. |
| Helping a person get treatment for alcohol abuse or dependence | |
| How to stop drinking alcohol | |
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Interactive tools are designed to help people determine health risks, ideal weight, target heart rate, and more. |
| Interactive Tool: Do You Have a Drinking Problem? | |
Cause
It is not clear why some people develop alcohol abuse or dependence problems and others do not, although experts know that alcoholism often runs in families. People with depression or other mental health conditions also tend to be more likely to abuse alcohol.
Over time, if you regularly drink too much alcohol, you might become dependent on it.
Symptoms
You might not realize that you have a drinking problem. You might not drink every day, or you might not drink large amounts when you do drink. You might go for days or weeks between drinking episodes. Many people say they are "social drinkers" because they do not drink every day. But even if you don't drink very often, it is still possible to be abusing alcohol and to be at risk for becoming addicted to it.
You might think you can quit drinking at any time. Many people who have alcohol problems do quit for periods of days, weeks, or even months before they start drinking again. But unless you can consistently keep your drinking under control and not fall back into unhealthy patterns, you need help.
Signs of alcohol abuse
- You have problems at work or school such as tardiness, absenteeism, increased injuries, and decreased performance related to alcohol use.
- You drink in dangerous situations, such as before or while driving a car.
- You have blackouts—this means that after a drinking episode, when you are sober again, you cannot remember what happened while you were drinking.
- You have legal problems because of your drinking, such as being arrested for driving or for physically harming someone while intoxicated.
- You get hurt or hurt someone else when you are drinking.
- You continue to drink despite health problems that are caused or made worse by alcohol use, such as a peptic ulcer.
- Your friends or family are worried about your drinking.
Signs of alcohol dependence or addiction
- You crave alcohol and are not able to control your drinking, even when you want to.
- You have withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, or anxiety when you cut back or stop drinking.
- You must drink more alcohol to feel the same effects.
- In spite of the signs, you think you don't have a problem.
- Friends or family members are worried about your drinking.
- You have physical signs of alcohol dependence, such as blackouts.
- You hide your drinking or hide how much you drink.
- You are not comfortable in situations where alcohol is not served.
It is common for people who have problems with alcohol to have mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. People who abuse alcohol are more likely to also have a problem with other substances, such as tobacco or illegal drugs.
If you think you might have a drinking problem, take a short quiz to evaluate your symptoms:
Symptoms of alcohol abuse in children and teens sometimes are different from the symptoms seen in adults. For more information, see the topic Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
Complications
Long-term heavy drinking damages the liver, nervous system, heart, and brain. It also contributes to high blood pressure, stomach problems, interactions between medicines and alcohol, sexual problems, osteoporosis, and cancer. Alcohol abuse can also lead to violence, accidents, social isolation, and difficulties at work and home.
Drinking alcohol can cause unique problems for teens, older adults, pregnant women, and people with other health conditions. If you are pregnant, you should not drink any alcohol, because it increases the risk of developmental problems in your unborn baby.
What Happens
Alcohol abuse or dependence can develop very quickly or gradually over your lifetime. In the beginning, your drinking might not appear to be any different from the way other people drink. Some people drink only occasionally but drink a lot (binge drinkers), which can lead to alcohol abuse. Over time, your drinking might become a way for you to feel normal or to cope with life's problems.
People who drink heavily over many years can develop complications of continued alcohol use such as liver disease (cirrhosis), depression, or peptic ulcer. They often have ongoing social problems and legal problems (such as traffic violations or accidents) as a result of drinking.
Many people who have drinking problems also have mental health conditions, such as depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, or anxiety disorders. Although it might seem like drinking helps with symptoms of these problems, it actually makes them worse. Alcohol use sometimes decreases when these conditions are treated.
What Increases Your Risk
You are more at risk for developing alcohol abuse and dependence if you:2, 3
- Have a family history—this includes a genetic link—of alcohol abuse and were exposed to alcohol in your home as you grew up.
- Use alcohol at an early age. The younger you are when you first drink alcohol, the higher your risk of developing alcohol use problems later as an adult.
- Are male. For every woman who develops alcohol use problems, three men develop them.
- Have a history of mental health conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. It is common to use alcohol to try to self-medicate these conditions.4
- Use or abuse other substances such as tobacco, illegal drugs, or prescription medicines.
When to Call a Doctor
Call 911 or other emergency services for a person who has consumed alcohol and is:
- Experiencing alcohol poisoning symptoms—such as unconsciousness, seizures, or difficulty breathing—after binge drinking.
- Having serious withdrawal symptoms, such as confusion and severe trembling. Severe withdrawal symptoms, such as delirium tremens (DTs), can in rare cases lead to death.
- Thinking or talking about suicide or violence to others.
Call a health professional immediately if you or a person close to you:
- Has a history of heavy drinking and is having severe symptoms of withdrawal but is not willing to get treatment.
- Agrees to be evaluated for possible treatment. People who postpone a health evaluation often do not follow through with making the appointment.
- Has a relapse of alcohol abuse or dependence.
Call a health professional if you or someone you care about:
- Has an alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence problem.
- Is in denial about an alcohol problem or is too sick to seek help.
- Has blackouts—not being able to remember what happened during a drinking episode.
- Drinks alcohol and takes certain medicines (such as antihistamines or acetaminophen) that interact with alcohol.
- Drinks alcohol and has poor health.
- Is not able to take care of daily responsibilities because of drinking alcohol.
- Has signs of alcohol dependence, including developing a tolerance to alcohol or having withdrawal symptoms (such as confusion and severe trembling) when he or she stops drinking.
- Is being affected by another person's drinking and wants help.
Watchful Waiting
For most people, drinking occasionally does not cause problems in their lives. People with risk factors for alcohol abuse and dependence need to be aware of their drinking behaviors. If you believe that your health or other areas of your life are being affected by drinking alcohol, you need to stop drinking. If you have concerns about your drinking or the drinking of someone close to you, talk with a health professional.
Watchful waiting is not appropriate if you or other people are being hurt by another person's drinking. It is important to seek help for yourself and other people who are being affected, even if the person who is drinking does not seek treatment. Early treatment for all people affected by drinking reduces the chance that problems will result.
Who to See
The following health professionals can help diagnose and treat symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol and provide support during recovery:
- Family medicine physician
- General practitioner
- Nurse practitioner
- Physician assistant
- Internist
- Psychiatrist
After withdrawal symptoms have been treated, the following health professionals can provide support during recovery to help you stay sober:
- Psychiatrist or another doctor that specializes in addiction medicine
- Psychologist
- Licensed mental health counselor
- Social worker
Some health professionals might have chemical dependency certification (CDC) or be a certified alcoholism counselor (CAC).
Support groups can also help you and your family with alcohol use problems:
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or similar support groups are for people with alcohol abuse or dependence.
- Al-Anon or Alateen (for teenagers) are for families and friends affected by someone's drinking.
Exams and Tests
Your doctor can diagnose alcohol use problems by asking about your medical history and doing a physical exam. Your doctor might do other tests to detect the amount of alcohol in your blood and any damage to your body caused by alcohol.
You might be given a mental health assessment to determine whether you have other conditions (such as depression or social anxiety disorder) that commonly occur along with alcohol abuse and dependence.
Many people do not go to a doctor for alcohol problems but seek treatment for physical conditions (such as cirrhosis) that result from long-term alcohol use. Your doctor might ask you questions about your drinking to help see whether alcohol use is the cause of a condition like cirrhosis.
If you think you might have a drinking problem, take a short quiz to evaluate your symptoms:
Treatment Overview
Your success in treatment for alcohol abuse and dependence is strongly linked to admitting that you have a problem and your desire to stop drinking. Supportive treatments, such as counseling, won't be successful if you continue to drink.
Treatment also depends on whether you are physically dependent on alcohol. Most people with alcohol problems need to completely stop drinking. Treatment first focuses on relieving symptoms of withdrawal, and then the focus shifts to staying sober.
You might need medicines that help reduce withdrawal symptoms during the process of detoxification.
Counseling, support groups, education, and sometimes medicines can help you stay sober during recovery. It can be very discouraging to start drinking again (relapse). Although you might feel guilty about relapsing—and you should do everything you can to avoid it—a relapse is no reason to quit treatment. Staying sober is a lifelong process.
The family members of someone who has an alcohol problem are affected too. They can benefit from education, family therapy, and participation in Al-Anon or other self-help support groups. Sometimes family members with good intentions will enable you to continue drinking by making excuses for your drinking or covering up problems that your alcohol use is causing. Counseling can help them recognize destructive, enabling behaviors and might help strengthen relationships.
Initial treatment
Initial treatment for alcohol abuse and dependence includes:
- Screening with a test such as the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).
- Assessing your life and the impact alcohol has had on it.
- Stopping drinking.
- Treatingwithdrawal symptoms if you are alcohol-dependent. This is best done under medical supervision.
- Staying sober throughout your recovery.
Although some people can stop drinking on their own, others need medical help to manage the physical process of withdrawal. If you think you have an addiction to alcohol, talk to your doctor about whether you need to withdraw from alcohol under medical supervision.
Your doctor might be able to give you medicine that will help you safely withdraw from alcohol. Other medicines might be prescribed later to help you stay sober. Withdrawal from alcohol is safer, less painful, and quicker when you get a doctor's help.
If you have severe withdrawal symptoms (such as uncontrolled shaking, seizures, or hallucinations), you might be admitted to a treatment center or hospital for detoxification.
Medicines to reduce withdrawal symptoms include:
- Antianxiety medicines (such as diazepam), which treat withdrawal symptoms such as delirium tremens (DTs).
- Seizure medicines, which are used to reduce or stop severe withdrawal symptoms during detoxification.
Medicines to help you stay sober during recovery include:5
- Disulfiram (Antabuse), which slows the pleasurable effects that alcohol produces and makes you nauseated when you drink.
- Naltrexone (ReVia, Vivitrol), which interferes with the pleasure you get from drinking. Vivitrol is a once-a-month shot (injection) that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat alcohol abuse and dependence.
- Acamprosate (Campral), which can reduce your craving for alcohol. This medicine was recently approved to treat alcohol abuse and dependence.
- Topiramate (Topamax), which is a medicine used to treat seizures. One recent study shows that it might also help treat alcohol problems.6 Experts are still studying how this medicine, and medicines like it, might help with recovery from alcohol abuse and addiction.
Alcohol abuse can cause your body to become low in certain vitamins and minerals, especially thiamine (vitamin B1). You might need to take thiamine supplements to improve your nutrition during recovery. You also might need supplements to help replace fluids and electrolytes.
If you are considering a treatment program, prepare some questions to ask about the treatment program before you go to visit.
Ongoing treatment
After you go through detoxification for alcohol dependence and you recover from withdrawal symptoms, you and your doctor can discuss how to help you remain sober. Possible treatment plans include:
- Education about alcohol and other substance abuse and the effects on your life and the lives of your family members.
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Counseling, both in individual and group settings. Types of counseling used to provide support to help you stay sober during recovery include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps you change thinking and behavior patterns.
- Motivational enhancement, which helps you create a plan and set your own goals.
- 12-step recovery program, with a private counselor who provides education and support.
- Support group attendance, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Your family members might also want to attend a support group such as Al-Anon or Alateen.
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Medicines that might help you stay sober include:
- Disulfiram (Antabuse), which slows the pleasurable effects of alcohol and makes you nauseated when you drink.
- Naltrexone (ReVia, Vivitrol), which interferes with the pleasure you get from drinking. Vivitrol is a once-a-month injection that is approved to treat alcohol abuse and dependence.
- Acamprosate (Campral), which can reduce your craving for alcohol. This medicine was recently approved to treat alcohol abuse and dependence.
- Topiramate (Topamax), which is a medicine used to treat seizures. One recent study shows that it might also help treat alcohol problems.6 Experts are still studying how this medicine, and medicines like it, might help with recovery from alcohol abuse and addiction.
Alcohol abuse can cause your body to become low in certain vitamins and minerals, especially thiamine (vitamin B1). You might need to take thiamine supplements to improve your nutrition during recovery. You also might need supplements to help replace fluids and electrolytes.
Many people start drinking again (relapse) when they are recovering from alcohol problems. Even though you might feel discouraged about it, having a relapse is no reason to give up on treatment. You might have to take a few steps back, but you can successfully continue with your recovery.
If you are considering a treatment program, prepare some questions to ask about the treatment program before you go to visit.
Treatment if your condition gets worse
Managing alcohol problems is a lifelong process. Many people have one or more relapses during recovery from alcohol abuse and dependence. If you experience repeated relapses or severe withdrawal symptoms, you can get help from your doctor. If you have withdrawal symptoms, you might need treatment at a hospital or treatment facility.
If you can't stop drinking alcohol on your own, a treatment facility can help you stay on course and get through the initial cravings for alcohol and help you learn how to stay sober.
Continued alcohol abuse and dependence can lead to other dangerous complications such as cirrhosis and bleeding peptic ulcers. If you have any other health conditions related to alcohol use, they will need appropriate treatment.
Prevention
If you have a family history of alcohol abuse or dependence, strongly consider not drinking alcohol at all. This will prevent alcohol-related problems from happening in your own life. Many people drink to ease symptoms of other conditions, such as depression, panic disorder, or social anxiety disorder. It is important to get proper treatment for mental health or physical conditions to reduce your chances of developing abuse and dependency problems.
Home Treatment
If your family or friends are concerned about your alcohol use, you might have a problem that you haven't admitted yet. One of the earliest signs of an alcohol use problem is blackouts—not being able to recall events during the time you were drinking, even though you remained awake. If you have blackouts, you might have a serious problem. If this is the case, you need immediate treatment for alcohol abuse or dependence.
You may choose to quit drinking on your own. Organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or treatment facilities found in your local yellow pages can provide support during your recovery.
It is important to have medical support during alcohol withdrawal.
If you have stopped drinking, seek help if you feel the need to drink again. This can help prevent relapses.
Dealing with family members who need treatment
It can be very difficult to live with a family member who has a drinking problem. It is best not to try to control, excuse, or cover up the person's drinking. Instead, encourage your family member to seek treatment. If your family member does not get help, you can still get help and support for yourself.
Medications
Medicines can be used to help treat alcohol abuse and dependence. Some medicines reduce withdrawal symptoms during detoxification. Other medicines help you remain sober during lifelong recovery.
Medication Choices
Medicines most often used to treat withdrawal symptoms during detoxification include:
- Antianxiety medicines (such as diazepam), which treat withdrawal symptoms such as delirium tremens (DTs).
- Seizure medicines, to reduce or stop severe withdrawal symptoms during detoxification.
Medicines used to help keep you sober during recovery include:
- Disulfiram (Antabuse), which slows the pleasurable effects that alcohol produces and makes you nauseated when you drink.
- Naltrexone (ReVia, Vivitrol), which interferes with the pleasure you get from drinking. Vivitrol is a once-a-month injection that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat alcohol abuse and dependence.
- Acamprosate (Campral), which can reduce your craving for alcohol. This medicine was recently approved to treat alcohol abuse and dependence.
- Topiramate (Topamax), which is a medicine used to treat seizures. One recent study shows that it might also help treat alcohol problems.6 Experts are still studying how this medicine, and medicines like it, might help with recovery from alcohol abuse and addiction.
Other medicines. Experts are testing other medicines to see if they might help people quit drinking. These include:
- Ondansetron (Zofran). Researchers are still studying this medicine to see if it is a safe and effective treatment for alcohol problems.
- Buspirone (BuSpar). This is an antianxiety drug that might help with alcohol problems. It has shown mixed results in studies.3
- Nalmefene (Revex). This medicine is similar to naltrexone, and it has been tried as a treatment for alcohol problems. But recent research shows that it might not be effective.7
Alcohol abuse can cause your body to become low in certain vitamins and minerals, especially thiamine (vitamin B1). You might need to take thiamine supplements to improve your nutrition during recovery. You also might need supplements to help replace fluids and electrolytes.
What to Think About
Antianxiety medicines are used during detoxification to help you safely withdraw from alcohol. Vitamins, particularly thiamine (vitamin B1), help prevent Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which causes permanent brain damage from poor nutrition and long-term alcohol use.8
All other conditions that frequently occur with alcohol abuse and dependence (such as depression or peptic ulcer) need proper treatment to help in your recovery.
Other Treatment
There are different types of support programs available to help you stay sober after you recover from alcohol abuse and dependence.
Treatment programs, support groups, and counseling
You can receive ongoing support through aftercare programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). You might want to discuss your need for a particular type of ongoing treatment or support program with your doctor or counselor.
Most alcohol treatment programs offer several different types of therapies, including individual or group counseling and relaxation. Since alcohol abuse and dependence affect the entire family, you and others in your family might also benefit from family therapy. Some people use alcohol to help them cope with family dysfunction. Treating the entire family can help resolve family dysfunction and help the person with alcohol problems stay in recovery.
Family members of people who have problems with alcohol can benefit from going to support groups such as Al-Anon. Other support groups are specially designed for certain age groups, such as Alateen for teens and Alatot for younger children.
If you are considering a treatment program, prepare some questions to ask about the treatment program before you go to visit.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture, including acupuncture of the outer ear (auricular), has been used to treat some people with alcohol abuse and dependence. Although acupuncture might be helpful for some people, there is no scientific proof that it is effective for alcohol problems.
Stress management techniques
Some people find that using stress management techniques during their recovery from alcohol problems is helpful. There is little research to show that using stress management techniques can increase a person's long-term chances of staying sober. But you may find that it improves your overall sense of well-being.
- Exercising. Regular physical activity is one of the most effective stress management techniques.
- Writing. Research shows that expressing yourself in writing can be a very effective way to reduce your stress level.
- Expressing your feelings. Talking, laughing, crying, and expressing anger are normal parts of the emotional healing process.
- Doing something you enjoy. A hobby or other healthy leisure activity that is meaningful to you can help you relax. Volunteer work or work that helps others can be a powerful stress-buster.
- Body-centered relaxation. This includes breathing exercises, muscle relaxation exercises, massage, aroma therapy, yoga, and traditional Chinese relaxation exercises, such as tai chi and qi gong.
- Mindfulness activities. These include learning how to relax your body through self-hypnosis, meditation, or imagery exercises, listening to relaxing music, or using humor to reduce stress.
For more information on stress reduction, see the topic Stress Management.
Other Places To Get Help
Organizations
| National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) | |
| 22 Cortlandt Street | |
| Suite 801 | |
| New York, NY 10007-3128 | |
| Phone: | 1-800-NCA-CALL (1-800-622-2255) (212) 269-7797 |
| Fax: | (212) 269-7510 |
| E-mail: | national@ncadd.org |
| Web Address: | http://www.ncadd.org |
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NCADD provides facts and scientific information about alcohol and drugs and related health issues, with specific resources for parents and youth. The organization also has a national intervention network and provides information about treatment programs and prevention. |
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| Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters | |
| 1600 Corporate Landing Parkway | |
| Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5617 | |
| Phone: | 1-888-4AL-ANON (1-888-425-2666) for meeting information (757) 563-1600 |
| Fax: | (757) 563-1655 |
| E-mail: | wso@al-anon.org |
| Web Address: | http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/ |
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Al-Anon is a support group and self-help program for family members and friends of people with alcohol and drug use problems. The program is based on the same principles as AA. Phone numbers for local offices are listed in area telephone books. |
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| Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) World Services, Inc. | |
| P.O. Box 459 | |
| New York, NY 10163 | |
| Phone: | (212) 870-3400 |
| Web Address: | http://www.aa.org/ |
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AA is a support group and self-help program for recovery from alcohol use problems as well as other substance abuse problems. Meetings are available in most communities at various times. Meetings can be "open" (for the person and his or her family) or "closed" (for the person only). Special groups for women, teens, and gay/lesbian people may be available in some areas. AA provides written information on the program of recovery. Phone numbers for local offices are listed in local area phone books. |
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| National Association for Children of Alcoholics | |
| 11426 Rockville Pike | |
| Suite 301 | |
| Rockville, MD 20852 | |
| Phone: | 1-888-55-4COAS (1-888-554-2627) (301) 468-0985 |
| Fax: | (301) 468-0987 |
| E-mail: | nacoa@nacoa.org |
| Web Address: | http://www.nacoa.org/ |
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This national nonprofit organization works on behalf of children of alcoholics. The mission of the organization is to raise public awareness, provide leadership in public policy, and inform and educate academic and other community systems. The organization provides videos, posters, comic books, and guides for teachers and other professionals who work with children. |
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References
Citations
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2005, revised 2007). Helping Patients With Alcohol Problems: A Health Practitioner's Guide (NIH Publication No. 07-3769). Washington, DC: National Institutes of Health. Also available online: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/guide.
Grant BF, Dawson DA (1997). Age at onset of alcohol use and its association with DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence: Results from a longitudinal alcohol epidemiologic survey. Journal of Substance Abuse, 9: 103–110.
Schuckit MA (2005). Alcohol-related disorders section of Substance-related disorders. In BJ Sadock et al., eds., Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry, 8th ed, vol. 1, pp. 1168–1188. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Shivani R, et al. (2002). Alcoholism and psychiatric disorders. Alcohol Research and Health, 26(2): 90–98.
Kosten TR, O'Connor PG (2003). Management of drug and alcohol withdrawal. New England Journal of Medicine, 348(18): 1786–1795.
Johnson BA, et al. (2003). Oral topiramate for the treatment of alcohol dependence: A randomised, controlled trial. Lancet, 361(9370): 1677–1685.
Srisurapanont M, Jarusuraisin N (2007). Opioid antagonists for alcohol dependence. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1). Oxford: Update Software.
Sadock BJ, Sadock VA (2003). Alcohol-related disorders section of Substance-related disorders. In Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 9th ed., pp. 395–413. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Other Works Consulted
Schuckit MA, et al. (2001). Five-year clinical course associated with DSM-IV alcohol abuse or dependence in a large group of men and women. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158(7): 1084–1090.
Credits
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Michele Cronen |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Peter Monti, PhD - Alcohol and Addiction |
| Last Updated | October 2, 2007 |
© 1995-2007, Healthwise, Incorporated, P.O. Box 1989, Boise, ID 83701. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. For more information, click here. Privacy Policy. How this information was developed.

