Alcohol use disorder, the inability to moderate one’s drinking due to a physical and mental tolerance for alcohol, is a hallmark of alcoholism. Alcoholism is characterized by compulsive drinking despite harmful consequences to health and law enforcement. An alcoholic may start each day with a drink, worry about their drinking habits, and wish they drank less. As a general rule, alcoholics exhibit this behavior pattern.
I have experienced my uncle with alcohol use almost messed him up. He was using drugs all his life to forget his problems. The shock of learning my family member was abusing drugs is something I will never forget. Seeing someone who seems sick and suffering so much on the inside that they want to drink their sorrows away, cut themselves, or even take needles and pills as a means of escape can be very upsetting. After he recently experienced heartbreak, he thought it would be amusing to party with a small group of friends by simply spending time with each other. He had no idea at the time that he was about to start drinking heavily or develop an addiction. He drank to forget the pain he was feeling inside because he had issues with his fiancée.
Inevitably, as his drinking progressed, he became aware of a growing sense of instability. He did not believe that he had allowed a simple beverage to control his every move. He attempted to cease, but it was quite challenging. As he spewed, he cried to God and pleaded for forgiveness. Would this help anyone feel better, or would it lead to our demise? No food or sleep entered his system for three consecutive days. Alcohol abuse had reached new heights for him. He liked how it felt when drunk because he no longer had anything to worry about and felt entirely at ease. It is a mystery to many people what causes certain people to develop a drug addiction and how that happens. Many assume that drug addicts lack the moral fiber to overcome their addiction, even if they consciously decide. When he started, he used to spend nearly $50 per week and was not even sleeping at home.
One day he was upset and took metronidazole to ease the pain in his stomach after suffering some discomfort one day. Considering his drunken state, it seems reasonable that he has missed the warning label against combining beer and metronidazole. The combination of metronidazole and alcohol can produce symptoms similar to disulfiram. To some extent, it is like what happens when someone drinks while on the drug disulfiram (Antabuse). Disulfiram is commonly provided to patients with alcohol use disorder to produce adverse effects following alcohol consumption. He felt like he was about to pass out, and his heart raced after taking the medication. He was sweating bullets from nervousness, and as a result, he stopped drinking. He went to a medical and psychiatric center after suffering from alcohol withdrawal symptoms. With the help of the professionals there, he could get better altogether.
Impacts of alcoholism
Alcoholism has profound and far-reaching consequences for a person’s health and physical well-being. Between 2015 and 2019, excessive alcohol use in the United States was the direct cause of more than 140,000 annual deaths and the premature loss of 3.6 million years of life (CDC). Moreover, between the ages of 20 and 49, one of every five deaths can be attributed to excessive alcohol consumption. In 2010, excessive drinking cost the economy $249 billion, or $2.05 per drink, according to CDC.
Abnormal behavior and injuries are more likely to occur when people consume too much alcohol. Alcohol poisoning, a life-threatening condition caused by a toxic level of alcohol in the bloodstream, is one possible outcome of this. Consumers who drink alcohol are more likely to engage in sexually risky conduct, such as sex without protection or with multiple partners conditions caused by a toxic level of alcohol in the bloodstream are one possible outcome of this (CDC). Consumers who drink alcohol are more likely to engage in sexually risky conduct, such as sex without protection or with multiple partners. These actions can lead to unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted illnesses like HIV.
Long-term alcohol use is linked to an increased risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, liver disease, and some cancers. It can also weaken the immune system, making it more likely that the individual will fall ill. Also, Consistent alcohol use leads to memory and learning problems, such as dementia and underperformance in school. It can cause mental health and social issues, including troubles at home, at work, and even in the job market.
Alcohol cessation and impact on the brain, body, and mental health
There is a risk of mental and physical problems when someone who has been drinking heavily for weeks, months, or even years suddenly cuts back drastically or quits drinking altogether. If someone only drinks on rare occasions, they will not likely experience withdrawal after they stop drinking. Alcohol consumption changes how the body works. The brain’s activity slows, disrupting the nerves’ communication ability (Abrahao et al. 1227.). Over time, alcohol causes the brain and nervous system to become used to its presence. The body’s combined efforts keep the mind sharper and the nervous system talking to one another. Even after the blood alcohol concentration drops significantly, the brain stays hyperactive. That is why so many people are leaving.
Withdrawal symptoms become severe when one continues drinking heavily for a more extended period. As early as 6 hours after the cessation of drinking, one may begin to experience some odd sensations. Milder symptoms include anxiety, sweating, trouble sleeping, and spitting up (DiLonardo). When someone abstains from alcohol for 12–24 hours, they will notice some improvements, but the real problems start soon after. Symptoms like convulsions and hallucinations are common at this time. Most people with delirium tremens experience nausea and vomiting within 48 to 72 hours of quitting alcohol. About 5% of those experiencing alcohol withdrawal report experiencing these signs and symptoms. Additional impacts of alcohol cessation on the body include dehydration, an electrolyte imbalance, and withdrawal symptoms (DiLonardo). Headaches, weariness, and dizziness are all symptoms that can be brought on by dehydration, while an electrolyte imbalance can bring on an irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps, and seizures. Anxiety, restlessness, and tremors are all examples of symptoms that can occur during withdrawal.
Management of Alcohol Use Disorder and Withdrawal Symptoms
Several techniques effectively manage alcohol use disorder, one of which is behavioral. People can change their behavior and learn new skills with the help of behavioral therapy to help them better manage their alcohol use disorder. These treatments can assist individuals in maintaining their participation in treatment, preventing relapses, and better managing their symptoms (Flanagan 183). In treating alcohol consumption disorder, behavioral therapies can teach patients how to deal with stressful situations without turning to alcohol, steer clear of situations that put them at increased risk for drinking, and adhere to their treatment plan. In addition to this, it encourages alcoholics to make adjustments in their lifestyle that are beneficial to their health, to cultivate a network of family and friends who can provide support, to regulate their emotions positively, and to learn to cope with the triggers that cause them to want to drink. Both individual and group settings are appropriate for the delivery of behavioral therapy. They could occur in a hospital, an outpatient setting, or a facility for recovering addicts and alcoholics.
Because it allows patients to discuss their experiences and emotions with others going through challenges comparable to theirs, group therapy is another effective treatment modality for alcohol consumption disorder. The group members can freely share the difficulties they are encountering within an atmosphere that is both secure and encouraging, where they may also receive feedback and motivation from their peer’s alcohol consumption disorder. The group members can freely share the difficulties they are encountering within an atmosphere that is both secure and encouraging, where they may also receive feedback and motivation from their peers. Through group therapy, group members can acquire new coping and problem-solving skills, grow in self-awareness, and gain insight into the thoughts and behaviors that lead to their alcohol use. In addition, persons who participate in group therapy may be better able to establish a network of peers who can provide continual encouragement and inspiration as they work through the recovery process.
Pharmaceuticals are the most effective treatment method for people who have withdrawal symptoms after quitting smoking. Sedatives and anticonvulsants are used to treat patients who suffer from tremors and seizures (Kosten et al. 57). Those who acquire psychotic symptoms should be treated with antipsychotics because that is the recommended therapy. In addition, taking a vitamin B supplement is essential to make up for the malabsorption of vitamin B that occurs directly from alcohol consumption.
From what I experienced with my uncle and what I have read about, I learned that alcoholism is a disease that can be very difficult to overcome. I also learned that it is essential to seek professional help to recover from alcoholism. It is possible to live a sober life after overcoming alcoholism. I learned that people need to be honest with themself about their alcoholism and their reasons for wanting to stop for it to be easy for them. They must be willing to ask for help and support and be open to change.
Works Cited
Abrahao, Karina P et al. “Alcohol and the Brain: Neuronal Molecular Targets, Synapses, and Circuits.” Neuron vol. 96,6 (2017): 1223-1238. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2017.10.032
CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Drinking Too Much Alcohol Can Harm Your Health. Learn the Facts.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 Apr. 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm#:~:text=Over%20time%2C%20excessive%20alcohol%20use,liver%20disease%2C%20and%20digestive%20problems.&text=Cancer%20of%20the%20breast%2C%20mouth,liver%2C%20colon%2C%20and%20rectum.
DiLonardo, Mary Jo. “Alcohol Withdrawal: Symptoms, Treatment and Alcohol Detox Duration.” WebMD, WebMD, 26 Nov. 2021, https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/alcohol-withdrawal-symptoms-treatments#2.
Flanagan, Julianne C et al. “Behavioral Treatments for Alcohol Use Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.” Alcohol research: current reviews vol. 39,2 (2018): 181–192.
Kosten, Thomas R, and Louis E Baxter. “Review article: Effective management of opioid withdrawal symptoms: A gateway to opioid dependence treatment.” The American journal on addictions vol. 28,2, 2019: 55-62. doi:10.1111/ajad.12862
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