Volume 17 Issue 3 Summer 2015 and DRUG AWARENESS Recreational drinking is an often- serious and potentially life threatening or over-the-counter medications that unquestioned societal norm. To implications, as well as the power can interact with alcohol. celebrate an accomplishment, to wreak havoc on professional and • Individuals with certain medical champagne is a time-honored personal life. conditions. indulgence. At parties, weddings, and holiday meals the standard method of • Persons recovering from . tribute is the giving of a toast and the AVOIDING PROBLEMS What is the difference between raising of a glass. Throughout film and WITH ALCOHOL alcoholism and ? television, the day seems to officially Dependence on alcohol (alcoholism) end when a character is able to stop by In order to establish and maintain a is a chronic disease. Some signs and a neighborhood bar, or pour a glass of healthy relationship with alcohol and symptoms of wine at home. And while the thread of other substances, consider the following include: drinking is well woven into American information provided by the Centers for culture, it is important to take a step Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). • A strong craving for alcohol. back and think about the pros and cons How do I know if it’s okay to drink? • Continued use despite repeated of alcohol and the ways we use it. According to the U.S. Department physical, psychological, or interpersonal Recreational “drugging”, on the other of Agriculture and U.S. Department problems. hand, is a far less accepted practice, of Health and Human Services, the • The inability to limit drinking. given the illicit nature of many current Dietary Guidelines for Americans • Tolerance to alcohol so that you need drugs, plus the fact that prescription recommend that if you choose to drink more to feel its effects. medication is never intended for use alcoholic beverages, do not exceed 1 other than therapeutic while under drink per day for women or 2 drinks • Drinking alone / hiding your drinking the direction of a physician, nurse per day for men. According to the • Physical withdrawal symptoms — such practitioner or other official licensed guidelines, people who should not drink as nausea, sweating and shaking — healthcare provider. alcoholic beverages at all include the when you don’t drink. following: In contemplating these two substances, • Not remembering conversations or alcohol and drugs, there is a very tricky • Children and adolescents. commitments, sometimes line to walk between what is legal, what • Individuals of any age who cannot limit referred to as “blacking is not, what is appropriate use, and what their drinking to a low level. out”. is abuse. • Women who may become Both alcohol and drug use have the pregnant or who are potential to alter mood, judgment, pregnant. capacity, and actions. The boundary between enjoying a relaxed state (in • Individuals who the case of alcohol used responsibly plan to drive, operate by legal adults) or having pain or other machinery, or take part symptoms managed (in the case of legal, in other activities appropriately used over-the-counter or that require prescription drugs) can easily blur into attention, skill, or inappropriate use or dependence, given coordination. the addictive nature of many substances. • Individuals Inappropriate use or dependence has taking prescription • Keeping alcohol in unlikely places at • Mixing medication and alcohol. are. However, progression of addictive home, at work or in your car. Some medications interact with alcohol, disorders is known to be faster in females. Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking increasing its toxic effects. Drinking while • Having another that results in harm to one’s health, taking these medications can either disorder. If you have a mental health interpersonal relationships, or ability to increase or decrease their effectiveness, or disorder such as depression, attention- work. Manifestations of alcohol abuse even make them dangerous. deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or include the following: post-traumatic stress disorder, you’re more • Failure to fulfill major responsibilities at AVOIDING SUBSTANCE likely to become dependent on drugs. work, school, or home. USE, MISUSE, AND ABUSE • Peer pressure. Peer pressure is a strong factor in starting to use and abuse drugs, • Drinking in dangerous situations, such as Given that many drugs are illegal, particularly for young people. while driving or operating machinery. and prescription drugs are to be used • Legal problems related to alcohol, such according to the instruction of a medical • Lack of family involvement. Difficult as being arrested for drinking while professional, it is generally more family situations or lack of a bond with driving or for physically hurting someone straightforward to draw lines around your parents or siblings may increase the while drunk. appropriate substance use. risk of , as can a lack of parental supervision. • Continued drinking despite ongoing Illegal drugs should be avoided for many relationship problems that are caused or reasons, primarily due to risks to health, • Anxiety, depression and loneliness. worsened by drinking. wellbeing, and safety of self and others, Using drugs can become a way of coping • Long-term alcohol abuse can turn into and the criminal and financial penalties with these painful psychological feelings alcohol dependence. that apply. and can make these problems even worse. According to the Mayo Clinic, risk factors Prescription drugs should be taken as • Taking a highly addictive drug. Some for alcohol abuse and alcoholism prescribed under the care and oversight drugs, such as , or pain- include: of the prescribing professional, and over- killers, may result in faster development of addiction than other drugs. However, • Steady drinking over time. Drinking the-counter medications should be used taking drugs considered less addicting — too much on a regular basis for an only after clear review of labels and in so-called “light drugs” — can start you on extended period or on consultation with a primary care provider a pathway of drug use and addiction. a regular basis can produce a physical to ensure there are no contraindications dependence on alcohol. for use. How to get help • Age. People who begin drinking at an Ingestion or inhalation of any If you have concerns about your own or early age are at a higher risk of problem alternately intended substance for a family member’s alcohol or drug use, drinking or physical dependence on the purpose of achieving a high carries begin by talking to EAP or your primary alcohol. tremendous risks. Parents in particular care provider. should familiarize themselves with • Family history. The risk of alcoholism is the potential for children to explore For any medical issues or emergencies higher for people who have a parent or risky behavior such as “huffing” and related to , please call 911 other close relatives who have problems store chemicals, cleaning products and or go to the nearest emergency room. with alcohol. safely. • Depression and other mental health According to the Mayo Clinic, risk factors problems. It’s common for people for substance misuse and abuse can with a mental health disorder such as include: anxiety, depression or to have problems with alcohol or other • Family history of addiction. Drug substances. addiction is more common in some RESOURCES families and likely involves genetic ANDREFERENCES • Social and cultural factors. Having predisposition. If you have a blood friends or a close partner who drinks http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs. relative, such as a parent or sibling, with regularly could increase your risk of htm#standDrink alcohol or drug problems, you’re at greater alcoholism. The glamorous way that risk of developing a drug addiction. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- drinking is sometimes portrayed in the conditions/drug-addiction/basics/ media also may send the message that it’s • Being male. Men are more likely to definition/con-20020970 OK to drink too much. have problems with drugs than women

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