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Alcohol Abuse: Unsafe in Any Season
Office parties, family gatherings
— festive drinks abound
this time of year. But when
does having a good time cross over
into problem drinking? One recent
study found that almost one in 10
adults on Medicare regularly drinks
too much alcohol.
Over time, drinking too much can
damage your liver, your heart, and
your brain. It also can impair your
immune system. Excessive drinking
is associated with certain cancers.
The strain of heavy drinking will
predispose you to a myriad of other
physical problems.
"Alcohol abuse is particularly
problematic for older adults," says
Peter Q. Harris, M.D., Ph.D.,
chairman of Psychiatry at Jersey
Shore University Medical Center.
"People have a hard time believing
that older individuals abuse alcohol.
Yet for many, being increasingly alone
with little socialization leads to progressive
drinking.
"A glass of wine can lead to two.
You can start drinking earlier in the
day. When wine no longer provides
relief, people switch to harder liquor
such as vodka. The progressive use
of alcohol is compounded by the fact
that the aging process changes how the
body handles alcohol. You could be
more sensitive to the effects of drinking
now than when you were younger."
Plus, Dr. Harris adds that alcohol
can interact with your prescription or
over-the-counter medications, resulting
in confusion, unsteadiness and
falling, nausea and vomiting, liver problems, bleeding, and even
death. As alcohol replaces other
foods, you can become seriously
malnourished. Since alcohol and
tobacco frequently go hand in hand,
one compounds the harmful effects
of the other.
Do Yo u Have a Drinking Problem?
Sometimes, the person who abuses
alcohol is the last to know. If you or
a loved one can answer yes to one
of these questions, Dr. Harris
recommends discussing alcohol
use with a doctor.
- Do you typically have more than onedrink per day?
- Have you ever felt like you should drink less?
- Do you drink because you feel sad or to forget about your troubles?
- Have you hurt yourself or someone else while drinking?
- Have you felt guilty or lied about your drinking?
- Do you feel as if you need a drink first thing in the morning?
- Are you annoyed when others criticize your drinking?
How to Get Help
Alcohol abuse and dependence can be
treated. "Talking with your doctor is
the first step," says Dr. Harris. "He or
she may recommend counseling, medications,
a residential treatment facility,
or participation in support groups
such as Alcoholics Anonymous."
If you are diagnosed as an alcoholic,
you will need to stop drinking completely. Going back to "social
drinking" rarely works. If you have
a drinking problem but are not
dependent on alcohol, your doctor
may advise cutting back on your
alcohol use. Try these tips:
- Set goals. Keep track of your drinks on an index card in your wallet.
- Pace and space. Sip alcoholic beverages slowly, and alternate them with water or juice.
- Know your "no." Plan ahead on how you will refuse a drink you don't want.
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