“I honestly do not remember a time in my life when I didn’t have headaches,” he wrote. “I think I was six when I learned they were called migraines and that it wasn’t something that happened to everybody.”
Tweedy suspects the migraines are hereditary as he remembers his mother and sister also suffering from them. The severity and frequency also tipped him off they were linked to an undiagnosed mood disorder, which ran in his family as well.
“Every school year I’d end up missing many, many days because of migraines. In addition to the pain, I’d get sick to my stomach and end up vomiting so much I’d have to sleep by the toilet…” he recounted. “One year I missed 40 consecutive days of school because of my migraines and vomiting.”
On top of the migraines and mood disorders, alcoholism was yet another hereditary hurdle Tweedy was saddled with. His grandfather on his father’s side died in a bar before Tweedy ever got to know him. He was frequently left in the care of his grandfather on his mother’s side, who he says never did not reek of alcohol. But perhaps the greatest impact on young Tweedy was his father.
“My dad was a lifetime drinker. He’d come home from work every day and drink a 12-pack of beer. That was his standard beer consumption,” remembered Tweedy. “If it was a day off or a weekend when he wasn’t on call, he could down a case of beer. This wasn’t just over the course of a rough year or two, this is how he subsisted for the majority of his life.”
Eventually, his dad was able to quit drinking, but in doing so allowed his mood disorders to manifest again.
“He got sober at 81 years old, on the advice of his doctors, and he did it on his own, without rehab or any type of AA support group. He had to stop, so he stopped,” wrote Tweedy. “Then he started having panic attacks for the first time since he was young.”
Tweedy himself picked up the bottle despite promising his mother he would never drink. Breaking a vicious cycle of guilt, he was able to quit drinking at 23, but soon found himself chasing new addictions. He started with Diet Coke and cigarettes, but in seeking avenues to medicate his anxiety—and migraines—he was led to Vicodin. Soon he was seeking out the pills wherever he went, but they eventually his migraines and anxiety outpaced the drugs.
Tweedy attempted to quit cold turkey, but became a wreck.
“Five weeks later—theoretically, I was clean by virtue of the fact that I wasn’t on drugs—I suffered a serious mental collapse,” Tweedy remembers. “My brain chemistry crashed, and my body was revolting against me.”
His wife took him to the hospital, where he begged nurses to put him in a psych ward. Today, Tweedy is clean with his memoir set for release on November 13, 2018.
Some are concerned about the efficacy of the drug as well as its possible side effects.
French health authorities have approved the use of a muscle relaxant in the treatment of people addicted to alcohol, despite side effects.
ANSM, the national drug agency, cleared Baclofen for alcoholism treatment after a trial period that began in 2014, reported Medical Xpress. The drug had been used off-label for years before this in several countries.
Fierce interest in this muscle relaxant as a treatment for alcohol addiction began in 2008 when Olivier Ameisen, a French cardiologist who practiced in the United States, published his book, Le Dernier Verre (the last drink).
Ameisen outlines cases of his patients with alcohol use disorder who had failed to remain sober through Alcoholics Anonymous or other common treatments. Using a treatment of high doses of Baclofen, Ameisen was able to assist many of his patients in achieving sobriety.
There are concerns about side effects with this muscle relaxant, and the dosage is limited to 80 milligrams per day, a reduction from the previous from 300 milligrams.
Other critiques of using Baclofen for alcoholism says that it’s efficacy has not been proven, and others believe that treating addiction to a substance with another substance is a bad idea. The idea that using a substance to assist recovery is harmful has lost traction in America, with many states pushing for wider access to medication-assisted recovery for addiction.
A French drug oversight agency said last year that Baclofen had shown “clinical benefits in some patients” and despite lack of harder evidence, the country appears more concerned about providing options for those addicted than ensuring solid evidence before opening access for treatment.
Oftentimes getting through studies and red tape can take years but the frequent use of Baclofen as an off-market treatment for alcoholism may have swayed the government toward acceptance.
The trial that was done included 132 heavy drinkers. After being treated with Baclofen, 80% either became abstinent or drank moderately. Two other drugs commonly used to treat alcoholics, Naltrexone and Acamprosate, has a success rate of 20 to 25%.
Medical Press reported that ANSM director Dominique Martin said that the authorization of Baclofen (sold under brand names including Kemstro, Lioresal and Gablofen) was important to meet “a public health need.”
He went on to say that holding back approval of the drug “did not seem reasonable to us given the needs and the seriousness of alcoholism, and the fact that tens of thousands of people are taking the medicine for this treatment,” he said.
My hatred and rage grew alongside my father’s beard. Beards represented mental illness. Beards represented embarrassment. Beards represented my failed family.
The last time I saw my father without a beard was the night he accused me of being an alien sent to harvest his testicles. It was the summer before I entered eighth grade.
My father’s mustached face was otherwise smooth. Always had been as far as I knew. I remember kissing his cheeks as a child. Avoiding the scratchy upper lip hair.
Now, my father’s cheeks were blushed with anger and fear. I lost myself staring into his terrified eyes.
That night was the culmination of months of odd behavior. Standing outside at my sister’s Girl Scout summer camp, my father screamed accusations at everyone. His family had been replaced by testicle harvesting aliens. The other parents were FBI agents who’d been stalking him at work and recording his thoughts for months.
I’d always known my dad was a little odd. He had disappeared a few times for no reason. Usually my sister and I would end up staying a few nights at my grandparents’ house. My mom would buy us new toys. My dad would eventually reappear. Things returned to our version of normal. Unknown to me was his diagnosis of schizophrenia.
This time I knew exactly why my dad disappeared, he was going to the mental hospital; the loony bin. My dad was certifiably crazy and teenage me knew it. Worse, other people knew it. Other teens! Complete strangers. This last image of my father without a beard is seared into my memory.
My father came home from the hospital with a beard. Well, he came home with three days of unshaven stubble. Still, it was thick, dark, and covered his face. This bearded man no longer looked like my dad. This bearded man no longer acted like my dad.
The bearded stranger talked to himself out loud in private and public. He cursed and gestured wildly at random times, crossing himself with vigor as he watched Catholic Mass on TV three times a day. We weren’t Catholic. The bearded man spent evenings and weekends shopping for pornographic movies that sat unwatched and unopened in haystack shaped piles in our basement.
My hatred and rage grew alongside his beard. I hated my father. I hated his beard. By extension, I hated everyone with a beard. Beards represented mental illness. Beards represented embarrassment. Beards represented my failed family. Beards were something crazy people used to hide behind.
I daydreamed of shaving my father’s beard. Peeling off the stubble to reveal the man he had been prior to having a beard: the father I no longer had.
At the time I wasn’t able to grow my own beard. That didn’t stop me from making a pact with myself – I would never grow a beard, damn it.
As you can see in the image accompanying this article, I did not keep my pact.
As an adult, I didn’t have a beard or a relationship with my father. I became a father myself and vowed to never put my children through what I had gone through: a childhood filled with an empty father.
I didn’t prevent my father from having a relationship with my children. My mother and father would visit sporadically throughout the year and at holidays. My children were fine interacting with my father. Hell, sometimes I’d catch a glimpse in my children’s eyes of what looked like love toward their grandfather.
I wasn’t doing so well, though. I treated lingering depression and anxiety with antidepressants, sporadic counseling, and another illness: alcohol use disorder.
I was failing at life and I frequently drank until I blacked out. I was divorced and only seeing my kids every other weekend. I tried to wash away my bitterness and guilt but instead I found myself on an alcohol-fueled ride to my rock bottom.
The last time I remember not having a beard was the last time I remember drinking alcohol. I had an appointment with a new counselor. He told me that nothing could improve if I kept drinking and that he wouldn’t work with me if I didn’t stop. Somehow, I heard him. I also heard what he wasn’t saying: things could improve if I stopped drinking.
I went home and got drunk for the last time that evening.
It wasn’t easy to stop drinking. At first, every minute of every day was hard. I didn’t have the energy to do anything other than attend AA meetings and counseling. Then, without thinking, I stopped shaving and grew a short beard. At first it brought me comfort in a tangible way: I’d rub on it and scratch it and twist the hairs. After a few weeks it started filling in. And so did my sobriety. My beard grew thicker along with my willpower. I kept the beard and I’ve kept my sobriety.
At some point I made the first proactive phone call to my father I’d ever made. It wasn’t a magical conversation– we talked about sports and the weather, the same topics we’ve always been able to safely cover during face-to-face conversations over the years. When it was over, I hung up the phone, feeling sick to my stomach. I knew I’d never have the dad I wish I had. I know it’s on me to deal with it. But I wanted to have whatever relationship I could with him.
I’m four years sober. In these four years I’ve searched my soul to forgive my father. My children love their grandfather. They don’t know the bearded stranger I knew when I was growing up. They’ve never known him without a beard. They only know him as Grandpa!
I can’t regain my childhood. And I can’t undo what I’ve done to my children. But I can make sure I don’t go back to the dark place of alcohol abuse.
I kiss my children with a beard. I cuddle my youngest daughter and tickle her with my whiskers. She’s never known me without a beard. My kids see beards differently than I did.
Today I still have a beard. I keep this beard as a reminder of the importance of staying sober; a reminder of the importance of my family; a reminder of the forgiveness I’ve given others and that I’ve asked for from my loved ones.
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Alcoholism the #1 addiction in America. The social acceptance of drinking can often lead to denial. But if left untreated, a drinking problem has severe consequences.
1. People drink alcohol to cope with stress.
2. People drink alcohol because of social influences.
Indeed, alcohol is socially acceptable. Most of us drink it in various forms, including beer, wine, and hard liquor. And many of us think that there are health benefits associated with consuming up to two drinks per day. However, recent studies are finding that no level of alcohol consumption improves health. So, a drinking problem can occur… even if you think you’re drinking within reasonable limits.
“Abuse” Definitions
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans,1 moderate alcohol consumption is defined as having up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men. However, the Dietary Guidelines do not recommend that people who do not drink alcohol start drinking for any reason. This is simply because alcohol is not good for you!
Not everyone who drinks is an alcoholic. In fact, about half of all Americans are active drinkers. But if your life is negatively affected by alcohol on a consistent basis, you may have a problem.
So, what does it mean to “abuse” alcohol? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has a website Rethinking Drinking that defines what problem drinking is. And it’s not based on how much you drink, exactly. They say,”
The more drinks you drink on any day and the more heavy drinking days over time, the greater the risk—not only for an alcohol use disorder, but also for other health and personal problems.
Still, you can begin to suspect a drinking problem when…
Men: You drink more than 4 drinks on any day OR you drink more than 14 drinks per week. Women: You drink more than 3 drinks on any day OR you drink more than 7 drinks per week.
So, if you are drinking like this, are you an alcoholic? According to the NIAAA, about 1 in 4 people who exceed these limits already has an alcohol use disorder (also called “alcoholism”). The remaining 3 in 4 people are at greater risk for developing these and other problems. Again, individual risks vary. People can have problems drinking less than these amounts, particularly if they drink too quickly.
Beer is an alcoholic drink typically made from water, barley, hops, and yeast. Many people think that beer is safer to drink than wine or liquor. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) describes the real story about beer on this alcohol FAQ page:
Q: Is beer or wine safer to drink than liquor?
A: No. One 12-ounce beer has about the same amount of alcohol as one 5-ounce glass of wine or 1.5-ounce shot of liquor.
In fact, one beer may be your limit for the night, if you’re a man…and half a beer may be all you need if you’re a woman. It is the amount of alcohol consumed that affects a person most, not the type of alcoholic drink.
But beer is a part of American culture. It can be hard to ignore the billboards and advertising around beer. There are drinking games based on beer, sporting events usually always have beer available, and beer is a part of post-work get together. Plus, the trend for microbrewed, craft beers is on the rise. However, even people who drink during social activities or who only drink craft beer can develop an alcohol use disorder.
So, how do you know if you’re addicted to beer, or not?
Signs of a problem may include continuing to drink when everyone else has stopped or feeling the need to drink during uncomfortable or boring situations. Basically, a drinking problem causes disruption in your life. So, if you’re facing beer addiction you may have difficulty making it to work on time, keeping up with schoolwork, or recovering from drinking the next day. To get help for a beer addiction now, please send us a message or give us a call.
Wine
Wine is made from fermented grapes. It is mostly sold as white wine or red wine with a variety of flavor profiles based on the type of grape used. For example, popular white wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Riesling. Popular red wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah / Shiraz.
The percentage of alcohol in wine can vary widely; therefore, read the labels and adjust accordingly. When compared to beer, wine has a more concentrated amount of alcohol. Still, an average 5 oz. glass of wine is equivalent in alcohol content to 12 oz. of beer. An overpoured glass of wine, however, could contain much more alcohol than a standard drink.
Wine is often consumed with meals. It has a status as a “classy” drink that can make it harder to spot a problem. Drinking wine may be a problem for you if any of these things are true:
Drinking wine causes trouble with your relationships, school, or work.
You can’t control how much wine you drink.
You’ve tried quitting drinking but cannot.
You feel anxious, irritable, or stressed when you aren’t drinking wine.
If you or someone you care about has been drinking wine more frequently than intended or using it to combat anxious or depressive feelings, there may be a deeper issue at play. The earlier you get help for a wine addiction, the better! Wine problems are medical in nature and can be treated professionally.
Liquor
“Liquor” is the term used for hard alcoholic drinks or spirits like tequila, vodka, gin, rum and whiskey. Liquor has a much higher volume of alcohol than beer or wine: approximately 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits contain about 40% alcohol. Additionally, the type of spirit, recipe, and size of serving glass can impact the quantity of hard liquor in the drink. A mixed drink can contain from one to three or more standard drinks.
Liquor can impact and speed up the development of a drinking problem. This is due to the way we metabolize alcohol. The Indian Health Service explains it like this…when a person drinks an alcoholic beverage, about 20% of the alcohol is absorbed in the stomach and about 80% is absorbed in the small intestine. The rate the alcohol is absorbed depends upon a few factors:
1. The higher the concentration of alcohol, the faster the absorption.
2. Carbonated drinks tend to speed up absorption of alcohol.
3. Whether the stomach is full or empty. Food can slow down alcohol absorption.
Basically, increased absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream can cause quicker intoxication. It’s like comparing oral vs. injection routes of drug administration. The quicker a drug hits your bloodstream and crosses the blood-brain barrier, the more addictive. Plus, the lower liquid content of shots make them easier to consume, leading to a higher risk of alcoholism.
Regardless of the type of liquor consumed, alcohol of any kind possesses serious addiction potential. But you can get help for a liquor addiction now. Continue reading for more ideas.
Binge Drinking
Drinking too much at once is called “binge drinking”. As noted by the CDC, it is the most common way people drink too much in the U.S. But what does it mean to binge drink?
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above. Guidelines follow.
Men: You binge drink when you consume 5 or more drinks on a single occasion and usually occurs within about 2 hours. Women: You binge drink when you consume 4 or more drinks on a single occasion and usually occurs within about 2 hours.
While most people who binge drink are not alcohol dependent, binge drinking is the most common, costly, and deadly pattern of drinking too much. It causes injury and serious risk to health. It occurs frequently, with one in six adults binging about four times a month. And in many cases, prolonged binge drinking can develop into alcoholism.
Mixing Alcohol with Drugs
Because drinking is easily accessible, people often mix alcohol with other drugs. However, alcohol is both a central nervous depressant AND a stimulant… thereby posing a serious risk to your health when you mix it. For example, when mixed with benzodiazepines, opiates, or Rx painkillers, alcohol can trigger overdose effects. Alcohol on its own can be dangerous, but combining it with other substances can quickly prove lethal.
When It Becomes Addiction
Addiction occurs somewhere in a person’s drinking history. It can happen fast, within the span of a few months. Or, addiction can occur over the course of years. So when do you know you’ve crossed the line and become addicted to alcohol?
Alcoholism (a.k.a. alcohol addiction) is marked by a craving for alcohol. This craving occurs after the first drink and compels you to drink more. Craving also occurs when you’re NOT drinking; it can drive you back to alcohol. People who are addicted also are unable to stop drinking, especially in the face of personal or social harm.
Signs of an alcohol addiction include:
Alcohol dependence.
An increased tolerance (needing to drink more to feel drunk).
Frequently drinking more than intended.
Spending time getting alcohol, drinking it, or recovering from its effects.
Wanting to stop drinking but being unable to.
High-Functioning Alcoholism
Not all alcoholics are bottom of the bottle drinkers.
In the early 2000’s researchers officially recognized a subset of drinkers called “high-functioning” alcoholics. Study author Howard B. Moss, M.D., NIAAA Associate Director for Clinical and Translational Research said, “We find that young adults comprise the largest group of alcoholics in this country, and nearly 20 percent of alcoholics are highly functional and well-educated with good incomes.”
The problem with high-functioning alcoholism is that it can go undiagnosed. As people are able to keep their jobs, and experience relatively few harms…they often do not seek help. If you think you might have a drinking problem, ask for help. Here are some suggestions that we have for you:
Ask your friends and loved ones to support you.
Talk to a doctor or nurse if you are having a hard time cutting down on your drinking.
If one type of treatment doesn’t work for you, you can try another. Don’t give up!
Call 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) for information about treatment.
Alcohol use is a leading risk factor for disease burden worldwide, accounting for nearly 10% of global deaths among populations aged 15–49 years, according to the 2016 Global Burden of Diseases report. This 2011 study breaks down the most common disease categories that are entirely or partly caused by alcohol consumption, which can include:
Cancer
Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
Infectious diseases
Liver and pancreas disease
Neuropsychiatric diseases (including alcohol use disorders)
Unintentional and intentional injury
Why wait for things to get worse?
Reach out and get help today.
When to Get Help
Getting help for a drinking problem early is best!
So, if you think that you have a problem with alcohol, it’s best to assume that you do.
Then, reach out for help.
You are not alone!
Many people who struggle with alcohol addiction find it difficult or impossible to quit on their own. There are many programs designed to get you the help you need. Or, you can increase your chance of a full recovery with the help of an alcohol rehab center. Get in touch with one today….and increase your chances for success and an alcohol-free life!
ARTICLE OVERVIEW:Drinking too much, too often is considered “alcohol abuse”. It can be a warning sign of a drinking problem. One major indication of alcoholism is physical dependence on alcohol. In this article, we review dependence and other symptoms of a true drinking problem… and offer suggestions on how can you deal with them.
If so, you are like half of all adult Americans. If truth be told, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health of 2015 found that 56% of people 18 aged 18 and older were current, past-month alcohol consumers. The survey also reports that 86% of all people aged 18 + said that they drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime.
But, just because you drink regularly doesn’t mean that you have a drinking problem…
Just to clear the air…
In the U.S. a ‘standard drink‘ is any drink that contains about 0.6 fluid ounces or 14 grams of pure alcohol.
And the AMOUNT you drink of these standard drinks does not – in an of itself – determine a problem. In fact, the development of a drinking problem varies from person to person. Some people may trigger a problem after only a few drinking sessions, while others may develop drinking problems after years of prolonged use. And some people only binge drink on parties…with little to no real consequences.
A Drinking Problem, or Not?
So, how do you know whether you have a drinking problem or not?
If you drink more than 3 drinks on any single day.
For men:
If you drink more than 2 drinks per day.
If you drink more than 14 drinks per week.
If you drink more than 4 drinks on any single day.
But there are also two high-risk drinking patterns that can lead to a problem with booze.
Binge drinking defined by the NIAAA is a pattern of drinking that elevates the blood alcohol concentration levels (BAC) to 0.08 g/dl, which is after 4 drinks for women and 5 drinks for men in a timeframe of about 2 hours.
Heavy drinking defined by SAMHSA is binge drinking on 5 or more days in a period of one month.
NIAAA’s Rethinking Drinking claims that about 1 in 4 people who exceed these limits can be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, while the others are at great risk for becoming dependent to alcohol over time. The SAMSHA survey on drug use and health reported that in 2016, 15 million people aged 12 or older meet the criteria for being diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder. This means that 1 in 18 Americans have a drinking problem.
Do you fit into this definition?
If so, keep reading. Next, we review the common signs of alcohol abuse and dependence, and we provide help on what to do next. If you have any questions, please feel free to write them in the comments section at the end. We will try to respond personally and promptly to all legitimate inquiries.
DRINKING TOO MUCH + TOO OFTEN + NEGATIVE IMPACT = Alcohol Abuse
Signs of Alcohol Abuse
As a socially acceptable psychoactive substance, alcohol is widely used. It’s safe to say that most social events are organized around a drink. But, when do you start to ‘abuse’ alcohol?
Alcohol abuse is considered when you drink too much, and too often, and your drinking starts to have a negative impact on your life.
BUT, alcohol abuse is not the same as being physically dependent on alcohol. These two drinking conditions are different. According to the DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Alcohol Abuse and Dependence, you are abusing alcohol if you meet at least one of the following criteria within 12-month period:
Recurrent alcohol-related legal issues.
Recurrent drinking in situations that are dangerous, like driving under the influence.
Recurrent use of alcohol resulting in a failure to fulfill obligations at work, school, or home.
You continue to drink despite constant problems with family and friends due to alcohol use.
Alcohol abuse is serious drinking condition that may lead you to dependence and addiction. However, this condition is treatable!
Signs of Alcohol Dependence
According to the “Neurobiology of Alcohol Dependence”, alcohol dependence is a chronic relapsing disorder that is progressive and has serious detrimental health outcomes. The DSM-IV states that you have alcohol dependence if you meet three or more of the following criteria in the same 12-month period:
A persistent desire for drinking.
Drinking in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended.
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms once you cut down or quit drinking.
Giving up or reducing important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of drinking.
You continue to drink despite having health problems.
You need to increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect.
You spend a great deal of time spent in activities necessary to obtain, to use, or to recover from the effects of drinking.
The diagnosis of liver disease, high blood pressure, or heart disease.
One or more unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control drinking.
Alcohol dependence is a way more serious drinking condition than alcohol abuse. It is an indication that you may suffer from alcoholism.
On the contrary of DSM-IV, the updated version DSM-V lists 11 criteria that one person needs to meet in order to be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder:
1. Use alcohol in larger amounts, or longer than intended.
2. Spend a lot of time using, and/or recovering from use.
3. Experiencing strong urge/cravings to drink.
4. Fail to perform normally at work/school/home due to drinking.
5. Continue to drink despite the negative consequences caused in relationships with loved ones, friends, and family.
6. Continue to drink despite being aware of harmful risks and side effects.
7. Continue to drink despite the risk of developing health problems or worsen physical or psychological condition.
8. Give up hobbies, recreational activities, or social interactions because of drinking.
9. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms once the drinking is cut down or stopped. (dependence)
10. Tried and failed to quit.
11. Need to drink more in order to feel the desired effect (tolerance).
Having at least two symptoms indicates a level of alcohol use disorder. The levels of severity are classified as following:
Mild disorder: Presence of 2 to 3 symptoms.
Moderate disorder: Presence of 4 to 5 symptoms.
Severe disorder: Presence of 6 or more symptoms.
Recognizing an Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol use disorder may be hard to spot it. How can you know whether someone is drinking in moderation or if they have a drinking problem?
The best way to recognize any drinking problem is by learning the drinking patterns or habits mentioned earlier.
Some patterns, such as binge drinking, are easy to spot, but for some you may need more insights.
People who have drinking problems may:
Consume alcohol to feel the buzz.
Drink large amounts at social gatherings.
Drink throughout the whole day.
Drive under influence.
Engage in trouble like picking fights.
Have an urge to drink every day.
You can always check out these online alcohol screening tools and questionnaires to assess a possible problem:
Intervention involves a group of individuals who are ready to confront the person who has drinking problems in order to persuade them to seek treatment. This group usually consists of family members, close friends, loved ones, or even close colleagues. The goals of an intervention are to:
Help the addict see the problem.
Help them find a treatment.
Help them follow through by setting up consequences.
Interventions led by certified professionals are more effective that when you attempt to approach a loved one on your own.
1. Meet with a certified interventionist.
2. Plan in advance.
3. Choose the right people to take part.
4. Choose the right time for the intervention.
5. Speak with respect and love, but never with anger.
6. Follow through.
7. Take care of yourself.
Here are two websites where you can find certified interventionists:
Alcohol withdrawal is a set of symptoms that occurs when people who are dependent to alcohol cut down their drinking or quit for good. Why does this happen?
Your brain and body have adjust to the constant presence of alcohol because is a nervous system depressant. So, once you cut back on drinking, your body needs time to adjust. Withdrawal syndrome is actually the manifestation of symptoms meant to “reverse” the effects of alcohol. It takes time for the brain’s chemistry to even out again…but can be dangerous by provoking seizures, hallucinations, or life-threatening situations.
For this reason, always seek medical supevision when you detox off alcohol.
Withdrawal usually occurs within 8 hours after last drink, but symptoms can last for days or weeks. Some of the most common symptoms include:
Agitation.
Anxiety.
Depression.
Difficulty concentrating.
Disorientation.
Fatigue.
Headache.
Heightened.
Irritability.
Jumpiness or shakiness.
Mood swings.
Nausea.
Nightmares.
Sweating.
Tremors.
Vomiting.
Moreover, some individuals may experience post-acute or protracted withdrawal symptoms (PAWS). According to SAMHSA protracted withdrawal is the presence of withdrawal symptom beyond the general timeframe.
Some PAWS include:
Anxiety.
Depression.
Increased blood pressure and pulse.
Increased body temperature
Increased breathing rate.
Sleep disruption.
Tremor.
Check out our infographic to learn a detailed list of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, with timetable of their appearance.
Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment
Alcohol treatment is the process of treating alcoholism. There are two main types of treatment: inpatient rehab you live at the facility with 24/7 medical surveillance and outpatient rehab where you come and go to the facility for several hours, a few days per week. The most successful rehabs are those that implement evidence-based strategies that include:
1. Assessment.
The first stage of any rehab is assessment. Doctors and staff should take your full medical history, perform a physical exam, interview you for an hour or more, and help you complete paper work. Also, you may be asked to submit a blood or urine sample for drug testing.
During assessment, the medical staff will run both physical and psychological evaluations. This stage helps clinicians to plan out the treatment plan, which can be adjusted over time.
2. Medical detox.
This stage provides medical supervision while you are going through the process of withdrawal.
3. Psychotherapy.
During this stage of treatment, you will be invited to identify the roots and underlying issues for your drinking problems. Talk therapy will help you move towards a life without alcohol, and you will learn how to live without needing to drink. Most therapies that are used in rehabs include some form of:
One way to address alcohol problems is with the help of medications. Medicine combined with talk therapy leads to best results. Medications included in the treatment of a drinking problem include:
Acamprosate may be used to reduce symptoms of protracted withdrawal, such as insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, and dysphoria.
Antabuse (disulfiram) is used to prevent future drinking; it can make a person sick if even a small amount of alcohol is consumed.
Barbiturates can help manage withdrawal and address specific symptoms.
Benzodiazepines are used to address symptoms of withdrawal. Sample regimen includes 3 days of long-acting benzodiazepine (such as lorazepam, diazepam, and chlordiazepoxide) intake on a fixed schedule.
Naltrexone blocks the rewarding effects of alcohol.
5. Education sessions.
This stage helps people to learn how alcohol affects and changes the brain activity, and how can drinking destroy your life. Also, during this stage, patients will learn some coping mechanism to deal with stress, triggers, and avoid relapse.
6. Aftercare.
Aftercare services provide support to maintain sobriety in the mounts and years after you complete the program. Most common aftercare services include:
Coaching.
Counseling therapy.
Living in sober house.
Support Groups.
Next Steps
Do you think that you may have drinking problems? Don’t waste your time. Admit that the problem is real, and act!
You can reach out for help with any of the following organizations:
According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health there are 21 million people aged 12 or older who need treatment for alcohol and/or drug use. But many people are not getting the help that they need! NIAAA states that less than 10% of people who need help for drinking problems receive any treatment.
ARTICLE OVERVIEW:Scientists still have not identified the combination of genes thought to increase risk of alcohol problems. In this article, we outline the possible risk factors and share some tips on how to protect yourself if you are genetically predisposed to becoming an alcoholic. Then, we welcome your questions at the end.
Alcohol is the #1 drug in the world. It’s consumed everywhere, from places of work to places of worship. But what can be causing alcoholism? And do your genes have something to do with it?
Maybe.
Genes are passed on by our parents, and some of those genes contain predisposition towards alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcoholism. But just how much those genes influence us is still up for debate. According to the study Genetics and Alcoholism alcoholism is a complex genetic disease, with variations in a large number of genes affecting risk. So, what puts some people more at risk than others?
Most of us can see that alcohol use disorder run in some families. For example, if you have a drinking problem and create a Family Map, you can probably identify multiple people across many generations that also struggle with alcohol. Further, among people who drink too much, those who are genetically predisposed have a higher risk of developing alcohol use disorder.
However, even though people can have ‘the alcoholic gene’, it doesn’t mean that they will become alcohol dependent. Social and environmental factors play a huge role in becoming an addict.
In sum, it is true that our genetic structure determines human traits such as physical characteristics (eye and hair color) and behavioral characteristics, including aggression and depression. But the truth is that there are many factors that create the perfect environment for alcohol problems. And our genes DO NOT INFLUENCE US AS MUCH AS WE THINK.
Main Genetic Studies
It ihas been established that genetics is responsible for alcohol use disorder about 50% of the time. However, genetic expression is more complex field then we think. How genetic material can influence the ‘final product’ of one person is still unknown. So, what landmark studies back this up?
There are numerous studies that work on identifying the genes that can lead to alcoholism. The DRD2 gene was the first gene that showed promise of revealing the connection of alcoholism and genetics. Also, researchers at the University of California in San Francisco UCSF are studying the fruit flies to find the genetic traits of alcoholism claiming that drunken fruit flies behave in the same way humans do when they drink.
According to this study funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Genetic Research: Who Is At Risk for Alcoholism? researchers concluded that many twin, adoption, and family studies conclusively demonstrated that genetic factors account for 50 to 60 percent of the variance in risk for developing alcoholism.
And to move the field forward, the NIAAA started the Collaborative Studies on Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA), a large–scale family study designed to identify genes that affect the risk for alcoholism and alcohol–related characteristics and behavior. COGA holds data on more than 2,255 extended families and more than 17,702 individuals that struggle with alcoholism.
Certain combinations of genes that hold alcohol dependency material may increase your risk of developing alcoholism.
The “Alcoholic Gene”
Do you believe that only one gene is responsible for inheriting alcoholism?
You are wrong!
There are hundreds of genes in one’s DNA that can increase the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. Each gene plays a different role in your personal traits, and certain combinations of these genes may hold the key of alcoholism. The study Genes Contributed to The Development of Alcoholism claims that the genes most strongly implicated are those encoding the key enzymes of alcohol metabolism: ADHs and ALDHs.
Moreover, COGA lists several genes that are connected to the development of alcoholism. These can include:
DNA Regions with Susceptibility Genes. Genetic analysis has provided evidence that regions on 3 chromosomes contain genes that increase the risk for alcohol use disorder. Regions on chromosomes 1 and 7 have the strongest evidence, while regions on chromosome 2 have more modest evidence.
DNA Regions with Protective Genes. In cases where one sibling is dealing with alcoholism while the other is nonalcoholic, there is an evidence of a protective gene found in the region of chromosome 4. This means that variants of a gene or genes in this region may reduce risk of becoming alcohol dependent.
DNA Regions Related to Symptoms of Alcoholism. Signs and symptoms that are used to diagnose alcohol use disorder are very diverse, and range from biological symptoms to social symptoms. However, each individual who deals with AUD holds a unique set of symptoms. Therefore, a diagnose for AUD does not have a strict uniform phenotype. This fact complicates genetic analyses, but COGA researchers have created more defined phenotypes that are focused on the level of severity of alcoholism. These data provide evidence of DNA regions on chromosome 16 associated with higher risk for more severe drinking problems.
DNA Regions Associated with Co–Occurring Disorders. Many people diagnosed with depression also develop alcoholism. Depression and alcoholism are linked to a gene/or genes found in the region of chromosome 1.
DNA Regions Linked with Electrophysiological Measures. Reduced electrophysiological variables, such as EEGs (that measure brain activity) and ERPs (are brain waves elicited as a response to specific stimuli) seem to be a heritable phenotypes found in many cases of alcohol use disorder.
Candidate Genes. Some genes encode components of various brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin that allow communication among cells. If some of these routes of communications are disturbed, the person may be prone to using substances.
You can find more information on genes that put you at risk of becoming alcohol dependent here:
Just to clarify, there is still no clear evidence of what genes you need to have to be prone to becoming alcohol dependent. Specialists create theories that need to be more thoroughlt tested and elaborated upon. Additional work is required.
All theories and studies into the genetics of alcoholism share a common finding: alcohol changes in an addict’s brain activity.
Many substances affect the ‘reward circuit’ of the brain by releasing larger amounts of dopamine. This circuit regulates the ability to feel pleasure, and encourages a person to repeat the action that cause pleasure. If a person repeats the action over and over again, the brain starts to change, adopting the action as a normal and losing the ability to resist intense impulses (cravings).
And it is this change in brain function that makes it difficult to quit drinking. Here’s an explanation from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) about how the brain responds to drugs like alcohol.
Genetics are only 50% responsible for the development of an alcohol use disorder.
Environment vs. DNA
Only 10% of people who consume alcoholwill go one to develop physical or mental dependency on alcohol.
Genetics only make up half of the whole alcohol problem. Environment plays a huge role in becoming dependent. For instance, some people cannot deal with stress, and are unable to cope with hard relationships or work. So, as a coping mechanism they choose drinking. Also, people who are exposed to substances for longer time, are more likelyto become dependent. Moreover, a traumatic event may be the cause for one individual to turn to alcohol.
Some of the numerous environmental factors can include:
Attitudes and beliefs.
Bad parenting.
Culture background.
Financial status.
Life qualities.
Physical abuse.
Peer pressure.
School factors.
Sexual abuse.
… and many more.
The SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health report of 2016 estimated that 15.1 million people aged 12 or older had alcohol use disorder in the previous year. This means that 1 in 18 Americans had drinking problems. But, can we blame genetics for all these cases?
Of course not.
If you are genetically prone to developing alcohol use disorder, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will become an alcoholic. As you begin to understand the genetics of addiction … you need to know that alcoholism is not an inevitability. Having genetic predisposition to alcohol problems simply means that you are at higher risk of a problem. And while drinking begins as a choice, many studies suggest that alcoholism is largely connected with an individual’s control.
So, the choice to raise a glass is yours. You make the decision to try alcohol, or not. Even though you may hold a high genetic risk of AUD, most people are first driven to try alcohol by a nonhereditary factor, which is usually environmental in nature. Here’s a diagram of the relationship between genes and environment that might provide you with a visual aid to understand the interplay:
Alcoholism Genetic Risk Factors
Many factors play a role in developing a drinking problem. These factors interact differently for different people. So, the same factors might lead to alcoholism in some, and not in others. The risk factors are divided into two categories:
For example, findings published by the NIAAA show that children of alcoholics are about four times more likely to develop alcoholism than the general population. These children are also at high risk for many other behavioral and emotional problems. Genes are not the only factor in these cases, how alcoholic parents act and treat their children play a huge role in developing drinking problems. Some aspects that may increase the risk for alcoholism include:
An alcoholic parent is depressed or has other psychological issues.
Both parents drink alcohol and/or use other substances.
Conflicts because of alcohol use lead to aggression and violence in the family.
Parent’s alcohol use is severe.
To repeat, a combination of these risk factors may be the cause of alcohol use disorder for some, but not for others. This fact makes it difficult to predict who might become alcoholic, and who will not.
Avoiding a Problem
So, how can you protect yourself from a drinking problem? How can you avoid alcoholism if it runs in your family? The first thing you need to do in order to protect yourself is to learn your family history regarding alcoholism. Make a Family Map with an addiction counselor or other behavioral health professional…or you can learn how to make a family map here.
If you are among millions of people who have a parent, grandparent, or other close relative with drinking problems, there is a way to protect yourself by lowering these risks:
Avoid underage drinking. Underage drinking is illegal at the first place. Second, studies show that the risk of developing alcohol use disorder is higher among people who started drinking at early age.
Drink in moderation. Adults who choose to drink should drink in moderation. Not only because of the risk of alcoholism, but also because alcohol may cause many health problems.
Consult with a health care professional. Never hesitate to ask for help! Discuss your issues with professionals. They can help you find a suitable treatment or groups that can help you manage your alcohol problems.
The good news? Many children of alcoholics do not develop drinking problems. Awareness and action are key!
Moreover, there are also two ‘at-risk’ drinking patterns that can lead to alcohol use disorders:
1. Binge drinking – It is a drinking pattern that levels up the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.8 g/dl or above, which is usually happening after 4 drinks for women, and 5 drinks for men in a one drinking session of about 2 hours.
2. Heavy drinking is a binge drinking on 5 or more days in one month period.
Did you find yourself in some of these patterns?
Don’t wait until it’s too late, reach out for help!
Top 10 Alcohol and Genetics Facts
If drinking problems run in you family, don’t worry… It doesn’t mean that you will become addicted to alcohol. After all, even though you may have the ‘alcoholic gene’, alcoholism does not need to be your destiny. You are just at risk.
1. Genetics is about 50% responsible for developing alcohol use disorder.
2. One gene is not responsible for causing alcohol problems. A certain combination of hundreds of genes in individual’s DNA can increase the risk of developing alcoholism.
3. Having the ‘alcohol gene’ doesn’t mean that you will become an alcoholic.
4. Children with an alcoholic parent are four times more likely to develop alcohol use disorder.
5. Only 10% of people who drink become alcoholics.
6. Even though you may begenetically predisposed to alcoholism,your choice to try alcohol in the first place is usually triggered by envinronmental factors.
7. A combination of external and internal factors may lead to drinking problems.
8. Environmental factors play a huge role in developing alcoholism.
9. Drinking excessively over a long period of time puts you at higher risk of a drinking problem, even if you are not genetically predisposed to alcohol use disorder.
10. Scientists still haven’t identified which genes are responsible for increasing the risk of developing alcohol use disorder.
ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Many risk factors contribute to a drinking problem. We review the major ones, starting with psychological and then looking at genetic and cultural factors.
Alcoholism is also known as “alcohol use disorder” (AUD). It is a chronic brain disease that can impact anyone no matter the gender, age, ethnicity, personality, nor body type. Everyone is at risk. But how does alcoholism begin?
A drinking problem doesn’t usually happen over night. Most cases develop gradually over a period of time. While it can sometimes develop quickly and aggressively, an AUD usually takes a longer period to develop. According to SAMHSA’s national survey on drug use and health,over 15 million Americans aged 12 or older had an alcohol use disorder in 2016. What are the causes for this difficult disease?
There is no fixed formula for the onset of an AUD. Many studies has shown that alcoholism is influenced by a variety of factors. These factors interact differently in each person causing alcohol disorder in some, and not in others. The risk factors can be divided into two categories:
The numerous risk factors make it impossible to predict whether any person will develop alcohol use disorder. They just increase the chance that a person will develop this disorder. Even if you have some of the risks factors it doesn’t mean that you will become an alcoholic.
But, regardless of when the drinking problems start or what caused them, there are many options for treatment that can help you get back your life on track. Do not waste time, reach out for help as soon as possible.
Psychological Factors
People with certain psychological conditions are at higher risk of developing alcohol use disorder. Many people with psychological disorders turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism for their disorder. For instance, individuals with depression claim that alcohol elevates their mood, while those with schizophrenia claim that drinking quiets down the voice in their head. One study published in the journal BioMed Central estimated that:
More than 40% of people with bipolar disorder can develop a drinking problem.
More than 45% of people diagnosed with schizophrenia can develop a drinking problem.
More than 25% of people with major depression can develop a drinking problem.
More than 80% of people with anti-social personality disorder can develop a drinking problem.
Indeed, some personalities are more prone to developing alcohol use disorder than others. Numerous studies show links between specific personality traits and alcohol abuse. Some of the most common traits related to alcohol abuse include a person’s impulsiveness/ disinhibition and these five traits:
Agreeableness.
Conscientiousness.
Extraversion.
Neuroticism.
Openness to experience.
Still, a recent meta-analysis suggests that among the five-factor traits only low conscientiousness, low agreeableness, and high neuroticism are significantly linked to alcohol use disorder.
In sum, there are numerous theoretical models with varying degrees of empirical support whose goal is to answer the question how and why certain personality develop drinking problems. Keep in mind that these models are neither all-inclusive nor mutually exclusive. Check out this illustration of multiple pathways related to personality that show alcohol use disorder might develop:
Personal Choice Factors
The personal choice to start drinking is a risk factor of developing alcohol dependence. For example, an individual who has decided that they will never have a drink, can obviously not develop an AUD. Also, people who choose to avoid social situations where drinking occurs heavily, are less likely to develop dependence.
On the contrary, people who love to socialize with few drinks, are more prone to developing alcoholism.
Whether you are at risk of developing alcohol use disorder or not, the choice to try alcohol is yours. You make the decision to try it or not.
Drinking History Factors
An individual’s drinking history plays an important part of developing alcohol use disorder. People who started drinking at early age, and continue into their adulthood are at high risk of becoming alcohol dependent.
Binge drinking, by definition is a drinking pattern that builds up the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.8 g/dL or more. This usually happens after 4 drinks for women, and 5 for men in one drinking session. Heavy drinking is a binge drinking on 5+ days in a period of one month.
Even though a person may have a genetic predisposition to developing alcohol use disorder, it doesn’t mean that they will become alcoholic.
Still, there is no empirical data that identifies what genes are responsible for increasing the risk of becoming alcohol dependent. However, there are many genes in person’s DNA that can increase the risk of becoming alcohol dependent. A combination of these genes with personality traits, and various environmental factors may have the key of alcoholism. Check out this diagram to help you see the relationship between genes and environment of developing AUD:
Familial Factors
If alcoholism runs in your family, the risk of developing alcohol use disorder is higher that for someone who does not have a family history of AUD. Growing up around a parent who struggles with alcohol problems may change your perspective: you may see drinking as normal, and fall victim to bad habits, or learn the negative effects of alcohol, and never touch it.
Even though genetics and familial (heredity) are closely linked, there is a difference when discussing genetic versus familial diseases:
A person with genetic disease has abnormality in their genome.
A person with a familial disease has received a genetic mutation from their parents’ DNA.
Environmental Factors
Environment has a huge impact on becoming alcohol dependent. How? For example, if a person cannot cope with stress, they might choose drinking as a way to deal with the stress. Moreover, if an individual has experienced a traumatic event, the chances to turn to drinking are enormous.
Some of the many environmental factors related to alcoholism include:
Attitudes.
Bad parenting.
Beliefs.
Culture.
Financial power.
Lifestyle.
Physical abuse.
Peer pressure.
Sexual abuse.
Religious Factors
Every religion has a different view towards alcohol use. Islam promotes total abstinence, while Catholicism have integrated alcohol use into some religious ceremonies. One study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependency showed that individuals who viewed their religion as promoting abstinence were less likely to develop alcohol dependence. Also, drinking was highly associated with person’s religious commitment: if the religion promoted abstinence the percentage of reduced drinking was higher.
Moreover, the U.S. National Alcohol Survey showed diverse patterns of abstention and drinking that shows that religion is important for drinking behaviors.
Social and Cultural Factors
Alcohol use varies across gender and ethnicity. Worldwide, men drink more than women. According to the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, American men drink more than women:
Regular drinking: 56% vs. 47%
Binge drinking: 30% vs. 16%
Heavy drinking: 9% vs. 3%.
Among ethnic and racial groups, Caucasians report the highest rate of alcohol use among people aged 12+, while American Indian/Alaska Natives report the highest rate of binge drinking. Moreover, this SAMHSA’s report shows the following rate on demographics and addiction rates:
American Indian/Alaska Native: 14.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 11.3%
Hispanic: 8.6%
Caucasian: 8.4%
African American: 7.4%
Asian: 4.6%
Additionally, this analysis show that there are many underlying social and cultural factors contributing to the numbers above. For instance, people with high socioeconomic status tend to drink more frequently than others, while people with low socioeconomic status tend to drink in larger quantities of alcohol.
On the other hand, cultural norms play a huge role in developing AUD. African Americans and Latinos report more conservative claims towards alcohol use compared with Whites. However, some studies have found out that drinking problems differ across Latino subgroups, such as higher rates of alcohol use disorder among Mexican-American and Puerto Rican men compared with Cuban Americans and Central and South Americans. As a cultural norm, machismo, which is a cultural influence for many generations of Latino male identity, suggest that Latino men attempt to appear strong and masculine because of cultural values, and drinking huge amounts of alcohol is one of the ways to show masculinity. On the contrary, Asians are believed to have higher abstention rates.
Also, alcohol consumption can be linked to a complex array of factors overlapping with each other, ranging from individual to cultural and societal factors. High social status suggest that social networks and connection influence overall health. For example, people who have higher levels of social support are thought to be healthier because they have better links and access to health services, and greater financial support.
Finally, this NIAAA pamphlet shows that the Native American population have a 60 percent lifetime prevalence rate for the development of alcohol use disorders and alcohol dependence.
Societal Influences (advertising, marketing, and social media).
Age Factors
One of the important risk factors for developing alcoholism is the age when you start drinking. The earlier a person starts to drink, the bigger the chances are they continue to drink in future. Also, regular drinking increases the risk of developing alcohol use disorder.
Even though it is illegal to drink before 21, many teenagers consume alcohol around 13 to 15 years old. According to this survey:
26% of 8th graders reported drinking in the past month.
40% of 10th graders reported drinking in the past month.
51% of the 12th graders reported drinking in the past month.
Moreover, binge drinking is a popular pattern among youngsters.
Drinking at an early age increase the risk of alcohol abuse, but alcoholism as a disease doesn’t spare anyone. It can affect anyone at any age.
Educational Factors
According to this study, education levels affect your risk of a drinking problem. Individuals who dropped out from high school were about 6 times more to develop alcohol problems, while college dropouts were 3 times more to become alcohol dependent.
Career Factors
Careers can be exhausting, and many individuals seek coping mechanism in drinking. High levels of stress, long working hours, and strenuous tasks are only few factors that may produce negative effect on the person.
According to this CBHSQ Report, 8.7 % of full-time workers aged 18 to 64 drank heavily in the past month. The highest rate of drinking was noticed in mining (17.5%) and construction industry (16.5%).
How Alcoholism Risk Factors Affect Treatment and Relapse
All risk factors for developing alcohol dependence affect the treatment on many levels. For example,
This study published in the Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse found that Spanish speaking individuals are less likely to perceive a need for treatment and seek treatment services than the general public. Also, women face more barriers to access substance abuse treatment, and are less likely to seek help.
According to NIAAA, women tend to seek help in mental health or primary care settings rather than in specialized programs.
People with stressful and high-end professions may consider addiction as shame and stigma, while people that are uninsured or have low income may have troubles finding treatment to their standard.
Moreover, depression is a major trigger for relapse. But, relapsing does not mean that you have failed. Relapse means that you need to reevaluate your treatment, and find the one that fits your needs. Also relapse makes you aware of the triggers around you.
However, treatment works!
Evidence-based treatment that is customized by the needs of the patient is overwlehmingly successful. NIAAA has found that about one-third of people who are treated for alcohol problems have no further symptoms a year later, while many others have reduced their drinking habits.
So, don’t put life on hold. Gelp help! Or, seek help for a loved one.
Researchers found that drinking increased in all subgroups of the population, and most steeply among women, the elderly and minorities.
Americans are spending more on alcohol than ever before and are also reporting higher rates of alcohol use disorder, all while beverage companies are increasing their budgets for alcohol advertising.
Surprisingly, more than a quarter of Americans don’t drink at all, according to a study reported by 24/7 Wall Street. However, the percentage of Americans who said they have imbibed during the last year has risen steadily, from 65.4% in 2001-2002 to 72.7% in 2012-2013, according to data from the American Medical Association.
The increase wasn’t just among social drinkers—high-risk drinking increased 30% over that period as well, while alcohol use disorder increased nearly 50%.
Researchers found that drinking increased in all subgroups of the population, and most steeply among women, the elderly and minorities. Authors noted the need for attention to problem drinking.
“Most important, the findings herein highlight the urgency of educating the public, policymakers, and health care professionals about high-risk drinking and AUD, destigmatizing these conditions and encouraging those who cannot reduce their alcohol consumption on their own, despite substantial harm to themselves and others, to seek treatment,” they wrote.
Research on spending indicates that rates might have continued to rise. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Surveys, Americans spent more on alcohol in 2017 than they did in 2016.
Overall, spending on alcohol has increased 56.6% since 1996, even though the price of booze has not increased substantially during that time. The increase in spending has been sharpest among baby boomers, while millennials spend the least on alcohol.
“Our findings suggest that older Americans increased their alcohol spending dramatically, which resonates with growing public health concerns pertaining to Baby Boomers and booze,” the authors wrote. “In a related finding, retired professionals spent 186% more money on alcohol. Conversely, those younger than 25 spent less in 2016 than in 1996, attesting to a trend in millennials choosing to live sober.”
With so much spending at play, it’s no wonder that alcohol advertising is a massive industry, especially when it comes to sports. Each year the top 30 alcohol brands spend $764.5 million on sports sponsorship, according to industry data.
Most of that spending is by beer brands, with Bud Light alone spending approximately $250 million per year, more than one-third of the money spent globally on alcoholic beverage sports sponsorship. Heineken spends $118.3 million on sponsorships, while Budweiser spends $84.4 million.
The iconic actor credits his wife with helping him overcome his alcoholism.
Actor Michael Caine owes a lot to his wife of over 40 years, he says. The British star, famous for his cockney accent, was in a difficult place when he met model and actress Shakira Baksh.
“The empty feeling vanished and she got on my case. Then, to top it all, she got pregnant and I was given a second go at fatherhood, and soon I got myself straightened out.”
Around the time they met, Caine was in his forties and drinking too much. “I was never bombed on set, but I thought that a small vodka for breakfast was nothing to worry about, and in the early 1970s I was drinking two bottles of the stuff a day,” he wrote.
Meeting Baksh was life-changing for the film veteran, now 85. “I gave up alcohol entirely for a year and now I never drink during the day, and with dinner it’s just wine. Shakira literally saved my life.”
The couple married in 1973. The Italian Job actor also discussed his past life as a heavy drinker in a previous interview with the Radio Times in 2016. “I was a bit of a piss artist when I was younger. I used to drink a bottle of vodka a day and I was smoking several packs a day,” he said at the time.
His habits were fueled by anxiety over working in film. “Am I going to get another picture? How will I remember all those lines? I’ve got to get up at 6 a.m. and I hope the alarm works.”
Baksh was able to calm him down. “Without her, I would have been dead long ago. I would have probably drunk myself to death.”
“He smoked a spliff once at a London party during the Sixties and got the hysterical giggles so badly, no taxi would take him home. He had to walk from Mayfair to Notting Hill and swore he’d never do drugs again,” the Telegraph reported.
“I was so down on myself. I didn’t have any self-love and, quite honestly, I just didn’t want to be alive.”
Michael Phelps has won 28 Olympic medals, but despite his incredible history as a swimmer he’s also had serious bouts with depression, anxiety and alcoholism.
Since getting help, Phelps has been very open with the public about what he went through, but he recently admitted on Todaythat he’s “struggling weekly” with his mental health.
“From time to time, I’ll have bad days where I do go into a depression state,” Phelps said. “Being an athlete, you’re supposed to be strong and be able to push through anything. My struggles carried on through my career and I hid them well. There are so many people who struggle from very similar things that I go through and still go through… At times, it was a little scary and challenging to go through, but I found a way to get through it and I’m addressing these issues that I have.”
Phelps has certainly come a long way since he hit his personal bottom in October 2014. Phelps said he was so engulfed in despair, he couldn’t leave the house for five days and felt suicidal.
He admitted that he had “at least half a dozen depression spells” before this one. He recalled, “I was so down on myself. I didn’t have any self-love and quite honestly, I just didn’t want to be alive. It was a really, really, really crazy time for me and I didn’t want to see anybody. I saw myself as letting so many people down—and myself in particular. That’s hard to carry.”
Finally something in Phelps clicked, and he “realized that I can ask for help and it’s going to be okay. For me, that’s what changed my life. I never asked for help really ever in my career. That was the first time that I really did that. I was basically on my knees, crying for help.”
Since that dark time, Phelps has been very involved in getting help for others. He’s on the board of TalkSpace, a teletherapy company, and he was also interviewed for a documentary, Angst, where he discussed his anxiety.
“I’m lucky to be able to sit down with a therapist and chat and talk and open up,” Phelps says. “It’s challenging for people to do… It’s something that continues to teach me more and more about myself.”
