Alcohol abuse
Alcoholism is one of the most common addictions in Australia. The social acceptance of drinking can often lead to denial and, if left untreated, severe consequences.
Alcohol addiction, also known as alcoholism, is marked by a craving for alcohol and an inability to stop drinking, even when it causes extreme personal or social harm.
Signs of alcohol addiction include:
- frequently drinking more than intended
- wanting to stop drinking but being unable to
- developing a tolerance to alcohol
- feeling symptoms of withdrawal when stopping
- letting personal and professional responsibilities slide in favour of drinking
- spending an extreme amount of time trying to get and drink alcohol.
Alcohol is a legal, controlled substance that lowers anxiety and inhibitions. It also has a broad range of side effects, from loss of coordination to slurred speech. Not everyone who drinks is an alcoholic, but anyone whose life is consistently affected by alcohol is considered to have an alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol is commonly consumed as a drink in various forms, including beer, wine and spirits. Because it is so widespread in society, diagnosing an addiction to it can be difficult.
Immediate effects of alcohol
Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, so it slows down mental and bodily processes. With the first drink, users may feel less anxious or stressed. Alcohol is commonly described as a social lubricant, meaning drinkers are more likely to feel confident meeting new people and less concerned with how others perceive them.
Because alcohol is legal and widely accepted, it can be hard to tell the difference between casual use and abuse. In general, any use of alcohol that results in negative consequences is considered abuse. These consequences include:
- physical harm or illness
- strained relationships
- problems at work
- financial difficulty.
When abuse becomes more frequent, it can escalate into addiction.
Alcohol and other drugs
Because alcohol is so common, it is often abused alongside other drugs. As a CNS depressant, alcohol poses a serious risk when mixed with other drugs of the same class, such as benzodiazepines and some painkillers. Alcohol on its own can be dangerous, but combining it with other substances can quickly prove lethal.