Alcohol abuse: Know the symptoms, signs

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shannon Burbridge, Tony Fontes
  • 90th Medical Operations Squadron
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  Alcohol has been a part of society through the ages. But alcohol has never been a problem. 

Alcohol never drove a car off a bridge, broke the law for drinking underage or abused a child, spouse, friend or acquaintance. A multitude of people have done these things and more while under the influence of alcohol. So where's the real problem? 

There are three main types of alcohol abuse: binge drinking, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. 

Binge drinking is when a person consumes five or more drinks in a sitting. A "drink" is classified as 12 ounces of beer, 6 to 8 ounces of wine, or 1 to 1.5 ounces of liquor that is 80 proof. A large percentage of 18 to 25 year olds partake in this activity. At times it is used to show off, but it can result in negative consequences. 

People sometimes binge drink for effect, such as the person who gets two or three drinks at a time so they won't have to wait in line and risk losing the buzz. 

Binge drinkers often choose strong drinks such as Long Island iced teas, which have four to five shots in them; play drinking games; and participate in keg stands or "bong" drinks. 

The consequences of binge drinking are blackouts, hangovers and drinking and driving because people think they are fine, but their blood alcohol level is still on the rise. 

Alcohol abuse is a diagnosis that, unless caught early, may lead to alcohol dependence. There are four identifying criteria that must be met within 12 months. Only one is needed for the diagnosis. 

-- Failure to meet responsibilities or obligations. This can be work, family, home, breaking a promise to someone they care about or not scheduling engagements for the time they may be using or recovering. 

-- Participation in physically hazardous situations. This is usually seen as drinking and driving, unprotected sex, sex with unknown partners or engaging in other dangerous behavior they would not do if sober. 

-- Legal problems. This can include driving while impaired, underage drinking or physical altercations. These are only the ones people actually get caught for. 

-- Continued use despite being aware of the problems. This includes disagreements with a spouse, child or someone they care about due to their use; extramarital indiscretions while under the influence; being late to work; or not meeting standards in general. 

Alcohol dependence is where the person's alcohol use has progressed to the point where the person is psychologically or physically dependent on alcohol.
To be alcohol dependent, a person must meet three of the following symptoms in the same 12-month period. 

-- Showing high tolerance to alcohol by either a marked decrease of effect with usual amounts of alcohol or marked increase of effect with less amounts of alcohol. Tolerance is often confused with blood alcohol levels. Blood alcohol level is the percentage of alcohol found in blood. Tolerance is merely how well a body reacts to higher levels of alcohol. 

-- Drinking more than intended or spending more time drinking than a person had committed. This is a sign of excessive use, which can also be not setting a time limit or limit on how much a person drinks. 

-- Impaired control or unsuccessful efforts to quit or reduce alcohol use. 

-- Continued use despite being aware of the problem. 

-- Showing signs of withdrawal, such as nausea, vomiting, sweating, shakiness and anxiety, after stopping heavy drinking. 

-- Spending large amounts of time obtaining, using or recovering from alcohol's effects. 

-- Giving up or significantly reducing attendance at important social, occupational or recreational activities unless alcohol is served or allowed. 

"Sometimes it is difficult for those who are suffering from an alcohol problem or a related condition to verbalize what is going on. This may be particularly so if dealing with the compounding stress of deployment or mobilization," said Tony Fontes with the life skills support center. "A screening tool can be very helpful in identifying possible problems. It is simply a series of questions that, when linked together, help create a picture of how that person is feeling and what kind of evaluation they may need. It is not a diagnosis or a label." 

A free, anonymous alcohol education and self-assessment program takes place in the base medical clinic May 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Clinical staff will be available to answer questions and help interpret the assessment results. For more information on the program or alcohol and its effects, call alcohol drug abuse prevention treatment office at 773-3182 or 773-2998. Or visit the office on the east side of the medical clinic next to the dental entrance.