DRINKS
PROBLEMS
Consumption of alcohol in Slovenia is quite high
according to other EU members. Among young people the consumption of alcohol is
rising according to the ESPAD. With the raising of alcohol the illness is rising
too.
In 2003 there was 27.3 % male students and 18.5 %
female students that was drunk by the age of 13 or less.
72.3 male students and 64.7% female students have
been drinking beer or wine before the age of 13.
country
|
recorded
|
unrecorded
|
total
|
beer
|
wine
|
spirits
|
other
|
12.19
|
3.00
|
15.19
|
4.10
|
5.10
|
1.33
|
0.00
| |
9.55
|
0.50
|
10.05
|
4.72
|
3.26
|
1.56
|
0.00
|
There are roughly four levels of alcohol
drinking - social, heavy, problem and dependent. As a rule, each level increases
the risk to your health and safety. Most people drink some alcohol. However,
even a small amount of alcohol can be dangerous if you drive, operate machinery,
or take some types of medication. This is drinking above the recommended safe
limits, which are:
- Men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, no more than
four units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a
week.
- Women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, no more than
three units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a
week.
- Pregnant women. Advice from the Department of Health states that ... "pregnant women or women trying to conceive should not drink alcohol at all. If they do choose to drink, to minimise the risk to the baby, they should not drink more than 1-2 units of alcohol once or twice a week and should not get drunk".
What can help me to reduce or stop drinking alcohol?
No one can make you stop or cut down drinking. You have to be committed
and determined to do this yourself. However, it can be difficult, and one or
more of the following may help.
Accepting the problem
Some people deny to themselves that they have a problem. The sort of
thoughts that some people deceive themselves with include: "I can cope", "I'm
only drinking what my mates drink", "I can stop at any time".
Accepting that you may have a problem, and seeking help where necessary, are often the biggest steps to cutting back on alcohol, or cutting it out completely.
Self-help
Some people are helped by books, websites, leaflets and their own
determination. It is thought that about 1 in 3 people who have a problem with
alcohol return to sensible drinking, or stop drinking, without any professional
help. See the end of this leaflet for a list of resources.
Talking treatments
Some people are helped by counselling and advice from a practice nurse
or doctor. Sometimes a referral to a specially trained counsellor may be
advised. They can help you to talk through the issues in more detail and help
you to plan how to manage your drinking. In some cases, more intensive talking
treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), motivational
interviewing, or motivational enhanced therapy may be appropriate. For example,
CBT helps you to change certain ways that you think, feel and behave, and may
help some people with alcohol problems.
Talking treatments are particularly useful for children with alcohol-related problems who are aged between 10 and 17. Children may also be offered family therapy in which other members of their family may be involved in a course of treatment.
Talking treatments are particularly useful for children with alcohol-related problems who are aged between 10 and 17. Children may also be offered family therapy in which other members of their family may be involved in a course of treatment.
Treating other illnesses
Alcohol may seem to be a quick answer to the relief of stress, anxiety,
depression, or other mental health problems. However, the effect is short-lived
and drinking a lot of alcohol often makes these conditions worse. If you feel
that these conditions are the underlying problem then see your doctor.
Medication and talking treatments such as CBT often work well for these
conditions, and are a much better long-term option than heavy
drinking.
Other medication sometimes used for alcohol problems
- Vitamins, particularly vitamin B1 (thiamine), are often prescribed if you are
alcohol-dependent - especially during detox. This is because many people who are
dependent on alcohol do not eat properly and can lack certain vitamins. A lack
of vitamin B1 is the most common. A lack of this vitamin can cause serious brain
conditions called Wernicke's encephalopathy and Korsakoff's
psychosis.
- Acamprosate and naltrexone are medicines which can help to ease alcohol
craving. Either of these may be prescribed to some people after a successful
detox to help them stay off alcohol.
- Disulfiram is another medicine which is sometimes used following a successful
detox. When you take disulfiram you get very unpleasant symptoms if you drink
any alcohol (such as flushing, vomiting, palpitations and headache). So, in
effect, the medicine acts as a deterrent for when you are tempted to drink. It
can help some people to stay off alcohol.
- Lorazepam, olanzapine and haloperidol are all used in the treatment
of delirium tremens.
- Baclofen is a medicine that is reported in some medical studies to help some people to stay off alcohol or to reduce drinking quantity. It may also reduce craving and reduce anxiety in alcohol-dependent people. However, the evidence for the effect of baclofen is conflicting and other studies do not support these reports. More research is needed to clarify whether baclofen is helpful. Note: it is currently not licensed for the treatment of alcohol-related problems.
- After detoxification and staying off alcohol
Many people who successfully detox go back to drinking heavily again at
some point. There are various reasons why this may occur. It is thought that you
are less likely to go back to drinking heavily if you have counselling, or other
support to help you to stay off alcohol. Your doctor, practice nurse, or local
drug and alcohol unit may provide ongoing support when you are trying to stay
off alcohol. Self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous have also helped many
people to stay off alcohol.
If you do go back to heavy drinking, you can always try again to stop or cut down. Some people take several attempts before they stop drinking, or keep within the safe limits, for good.
Short-term effects of
alcohol on the human body
can take many forms. The drug
alcohol, to be
specific ethanol, is a
central nervous system
depressant with a range
of side-effects.
Cell membranes are highly
permeable to alcohol, so once alcohol is in the bloodstream it can diffuse into
nearly every biological tissue of the body.If you do go back to heavy drinking, you can always try again to stop or cut down. Some people take several attempts before they stop drinking, or keep within the safe limits, for good.
The concentration of alcohol in blood is usually measured in terms of the blood alcohol content. The amount and circumstances of consumption play a large part in determining the extent of intoxication; for example, eating a heavy meal before alcohol consumption causes alcohol to absorb more slowly.[1] Hydration also plays a role, especially in determining the extent of hangovers.[2] After excessive drinking, unconsciousness can occur and extreme levels of consumption can lead to alcohol poisoning and death (a concentration in the blood stream of 0.40% will kill half of those affected[3][4]). Alcohol may also cause death by asphyxiation from vomit.
Sources: Alcohol problems
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_alcohol_consumption http://alcoholism.about.com/od/tests/l/blquiz_alcohol.htm
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