The Impact of Alcohol Abuse
Reduced ability to judge distances and speeds
Increase in risk-taking behaviors
Slow reflexes
Reduced concentration and increased forgetfulness
Stage 2: Dependence. User cannot stop drinking and is physically dependent on alcohol. The drinker tries to hide the problem but starts to notice major problems.
Stage 3: Addiction. In the final stage, the person is addicted. At this stage the liver may already be damaged, and so less alcohol may be required to cause drunkenness.
Stage 1: Abuse. User starts drinking a lot and eventually gets memory loss or blackouts. Begins to lie to others and themselves.
Symptoms of Alcoholism
Loss of control: Inability to limit alcohol consumption.
Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety.
Craving: Feeling a strong need for alcohol to manage stress or other things.
Tolerance: A need to drink increasingly more alcohol in order to feel its effects.
Treatment for Alcohol Abuse
National Association for Children of Alcoholics: Provides help for children of alcoholics.
National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service: Provides treatment referral and information about treatment facilities.
Mothers against Drunk Driving: Provides education to prevent underage drinking.
Students Against Destructive Decisions: Provides peer-led education about avoiding alcohol use.
Alcoholics Anonymous: Provides help for alcoholics.
SAMSHA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information: Provides information about alcohol and other drugs.
Al-Anon/Alateen: Helps families and friends learn to deal with the effects of living with an alcoholic.
