Many individuals with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) do not at first realize that their drinking has gotten out of control. It is critical to be conscious of how much you are drinking and how your alcohol use may impact your life and those you care about around you.

Identifying a Drinking Problem

To determine a patient’s likelihood and severity of alcohol use disorder, doctors may ask any of the following questions:

1. Have there have been times when you ended up drinking more alcohol or for longer than you originally intended?

2. On multiple occasions, have you tried to decrease or stop drinking but found that you could not?

3. Have you spent a considerable amount of time drinking or recovering from drinking (hangovers)?

4. Have you wanted a drink so badly you couldn’t think of anything else?

5. Have you found that drinking or recovering from drinking has often interfered with work, family, or school obligations?

6. Have you continued to drink alcohol even though it was having a negative effect on your relationships (e.g., family or friends)?

7. Have you neglected or cut back on activities that were once important, interesting, or pleasurable to you in favor of drinking?

8. Have you gotten into situations during or after drinking alcohol that increased your risk of getting hurt (e.g., swimming, driving, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area or having unsafe sex), on multiple occasions?

9. Have you continued to drink alcohol although it was making you feel depressed, anxious, contributing to another health problem, or after experiencing a memory blackout?

10. Do you need to drink more than you once did to achieve the effect you desire or found that consuming the typical number of drinks has had a diminished effect?

11. Have you found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you experienced withdrawal symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea and vomiting, sweating, racing heart, or a seizure?

The preceding questions are based on criteria put forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

The number of “yes” answers determines the severity of an AUD. According to the DSM-5, if a patient answers “yes” to two or three of these questions, they likely have a mild alcohol use disorder. Those who affirm four to five are moderate cases. Those who identify six criteria or more are believed to be severely impacted by their alcohol consumption.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Diagnostic criteria aside, much of the time a person doesn’t need a doctor to identify the presence of a drinking problem, but they do need to ask themselves some questions, answer them honestly, and give them serious consideration.

If you are completely honest with yourself, you might be able to think back and recognize that you were considering the possibility that your drinking was problematic for some time. You may have justified certain behaviors, such as blacking out and constant hangovers, by telling yourself that they happen to everyone – as if that were a good enough excuse.

If you’ve had even a passing thought that you might have a drinking problem, you should look deeper. Consider your relationship with alcohol, and ask yourself whether or not anything has really changed. People who don’t have a drinking problem don’t normally entertain these thoughts.

If you’ve experienced a day where you feel sick and hungover after drinking, such as feeling fatigued, encountering anxiety or depression, having stomach or liver pains, having a headache, or regretting things you did while intoxicated, this could be a red flag that should alert you to examine your relationship with alcohol. People who truly drink in moderation do not typically experience these symptoms the day after.

These events may be closely related to feeling physically different after a night of heavy drinking. If you’ve experienced negative consequences such as injuring yourself or someone else, having brushes with the law, breaking or losing your cell phone, having a purse stolen, or not remembering what exactly happened, you might have a drinking problem.

Other consequences may include fighting with your partner, being late to work or calling in sick, and experiencing strained relationships with friends and family. Due to alcohol’s antagonizing nature, it could be that most people who have consumed alcohol have experienced one or more of these consequences. When they start to accumulate, however, is when you should become very concerned.

Moreover, ask yourself if these adverse consequences would have happened if you hadn’t been drinking.

If you’ve attempted several times to achieve moderation while drinking but always revert to drinking in a way that is unhealthy, it’s safe to say that you are misusing alcohol. Indeed, this is one of the classic signs that someone needs to get sober.

Many people who have a drinking problem have felt the desire to find a balanced relationship with alcohol for a long time. They try to regulate their drinking but fail over and over, and ultimately feel desperate, hopeless, and unhappy. But for these people, achieving such a balance can be very challenging, and may seem impossible.

If you are feeling bad about yourself for not being able to find that balance, you are not alone. It’s inconceivable for many people who suffer from alcohol use disorders, and sobriety helps to alleviate that pressure.

Another question you might find yourself asking during your drinking periods is what life would be like without alcohol. You may have wondered if it is possible to quit, and if you could, what kind of life would you have.

Would it be more fun, exciting, or interesting? Would you still meet fun people and have good times? Would you ever be able to eliminate your feelings of shame and guilt?

If you’re wondering about any of this for yourself, you might want to consider giving sobriety a real shot and see how it works out. You might be pleasantly surprised.

These are just five indicators that you might have a drinking problem. There are many others, but for those who struggle with knowing whether or not they need to quit, these critical questions and feelings can be the catalyst to seeking and receiving help for your alcohol use disorder.

Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

Depending on the severity, persons who are suffering from alcohol use disorders and find themselves unable to quit should seek treatment in a partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, or regular outpatient program.

Harmony Treatment and Wellness center offers these integrated programs, which include therapeutic modalities essential to addiction recovery such as behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, individual and family counseling, and group support.

We employ compassionate medical and mental health staff who provide clients with the resources and support they so direly need to achieve abstinence and sustain long-term wellness and sobriety.

You can experience the fulfilling life you deserve, free from substance use! Contact us today to find out how we can help!

Many people drink alcohol every day, and a surprising number of Americans consume too much in general. According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 2,200 alcohol poisoning deaths occur each year, which equals around six per day. Because few people understand the limits of alcohol tolerance in the body, alcohol poisoning can occur rapidly and with little warning.

Alcohol poisoning occurs after a person has abused alcohol and consumed too much, which accumulates in the bloodstream and begins to impact areas of the brain that control vital bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate. Depressed or labored breathing, severely reduced body temperature, and seizures are all possible signs of alcohol poisoning.

The liver can process only about one serving of alcohol per hour, with one serving being:

• 12 ounces of beer
• 5 ounces of wine
• 8 ounces of malt liquor
• 1.5 ounces of distilled liquor, including whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, or vodka

Binge drinking is a significant cause of alcohol poisoning in the U.S. “Binge drinking” technically means consuming four or more drinks in a two-hour period for women, and five or more drinks in the same period for men.

Although binge drinking is predominantly associated with college students, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the group who suffered from alcohol poisoning the most often was middle-aged adults.

Moreover, people aged 35-64 suffer from alcohol poisoning more often than young adults. This could be due, in part, to changes in body chemistry as people age, the number of prescription drugs that could compound the effects of alcohol, and changes in drug preferences between the two demographics.

White, middle-aged males were the most likely to fall fatally ill from alcohol poisoning when compared to other groups. Startlingly, 90% of binge drinkers who suffered from alcohol poisoning were not reported as being dependent on alcohol.

Effects of Alcohol Poisoning

Because the liver can process only about one serving of alcohol per hour, if a person drinks two or more servings, there will be one or more extra units in the person’s system, which takes a longer time to process.

Alcohol is typically consumed in liquid form, so it enters the bloodstream and reaches the brain through digestion in the stomach and intestines. Oral consumption is one of the slower processes for administering an intoxicating substance, meaning that the number of drinks a person has ingested may not have fully reached the bloodstream when the person begins exhibiting signs of alcohol poisoning or extreme intoxication.

Alcohol poisoning affects the body by:

• Impairing brain functions, starting with balance and coordination and eventually affecting other systems in the body
• Irritating the stomach and causing nausea and vomiting
• Impeding the gag reflex as muscles lose sensitivity and coordination, which can result in the person choking on their own vomit
• Affecting the nerves that regulate heartbeat and breathing, which can cause these functions to decelerate, become irregular, or stop altogether
• Drastically reducing blood sugar, leading to seizures
• Decreasing body temperature, which can lead to hypothermia
• Dehydration, which can cause brain damage

Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

Signs of alcohol poisoning include:

How to Help Someone Experiencing Alcohol Poisoning

If someone is showing signs of alcohol poisoning, immediately call 911. Remain close to the individual to prevent accidental self-harm or choking if unconscious. It is critically important to seek emergency medical help as soon as possible, even if the person is conscious and communicating because there is probably more alcohol in the person’s stomach that will be processed that could soon further increase alcohol levels in the bloodstream.

After calling 911, there are other steps you can take to help a person who is showing signs of alcohol poisoning, including the following:

• Keep the person awake, alert, and sitting if possible.
• Let the person know beforehand if you are going to touch them or perform any action on them, as some people may become aggressive.
• Give a warm blanket to the person, as alcohol poisoning will likely make them feel cold.
• If the person can still swallow and is conscious, encourage them to sip on water slowly.
• If the person is unconscious and resting, roll them onto their side with their arms over their head to ensure that they do not aspirate their own vomit.

Do not do any of the following:

• Do not offer the person coffee, because caffeine can lead to further dehydration.
• Do not attempt to give the person any food, because he or she may choke on the food due to an impaired gag reflex or ability to swallow.
• Do not allow the person to have any other medications or drugs, because combining alcohol and other substances can make alcohol poisoning worse.
• Do not make the person vomit to get alcohol out of the stomach, because their gag reflex may not work and they could choke.
• Do not try to get the person to “walk it off,” because their impaired physical coordination could result in falls or other accidents.
• Do not attempt to give the person a cold shower, because this could increase the risk of hypothermia.
• Do not let the person simply “sleep it off” because alcohol is probably still digesting into their bloodstream and symptoms could get much worse.
• Do not leave the person by themselves.
• Do not allow the person to consume more alcohol.

Once the person is at the hospital, they will receive medical treatment and be monitored until doctors are sure the alcohol has been processed out of their system and no residual damage is present that should be addressed.

Medical assistance for alcohol poisoning may include:

How to Avoid Alcohol Poisoning

There are a handful of steps that everyone can take to prevent alcohol poisoning, including the following:

• Drink in moderation and stick to one drink per hour.
• Drink water after or with every drink, if possible.
• Do not drink on an empty stomach.
• Avoid drinking games or situations where there will be pressure to drink excessively.
• Do not combine alcohol with other substances, including prescription medications.

Getting Help After Alcohol Poisoning

If a person seems to be suffering and has signs of alcohol poisoning, it does not necessarily mean that alcoholism is present. However, people struggling with an alcohol use disorder do have an increased risk of experiencing alcohol poisoning.

Rehab programs, such as those offered by Harmony Treatment and Wellness, can help those in need to recover from alcohol abuse fully. Using an integrated approach to addiction, we employ evidence-based services essential to recovery, including psychotherapy, counseling, and group support.

Our compassionate medical and mental health providers deliver these services to clients with care and expertise. We can help you reclaim the fulfilling life you deserve! Contact us today to find out how!

Korsakoff syndrome is a dementia-like disease that affects the brain that is often caused by the excessive abuse of alcohol for a prolonged period. Alcohol impedes the body’s ability to produce vitamin B1 (thiamine) because alcohol contains sulfites, which break apart thiamine’s chemical structure and make absorption impossible.

Thiamine increases the brain’s ability to synthesize energy from the body’s sugars (carbohydrates). A lack of thiamine means the brain cannot produce enough energy to generate new memories and learn new skills. Other common results include fatigue, weakness, psychosis, and, eventually, nerve damage.

This terrible condition is most common among alcoholic males who are over age forty. While science cannot precisely explain why alcohol causes Korsakoff disease, the causal association between the two has been well-established through research. Another problematic condition known as Wernicke’s encephalopathy (described below) often, but not always, precipitates Korsakoff syndrome.

Recovery statistics following a diagnosis of Korsakoff syndrome are as follows:

• 25% of sufferers make a full recovery
• 50% make a partial recovery but require assisted living for the remainder of their lives
• The remaining 25% of sufferers, unfortunately, experience little or no improvement and therefore need institutional living

Symptoms of Korsakoff Syndrome

Korsakoff syndrome (also known as Korsakoff psychosis) damages the heart, blood vessels, and nervous system. This condition is the cognitive deterioration that manifests itself as dementia in late-stage alcoholics through the following symptoms and impairments:

• Disorientation
• Delirium (confusion and hallucinations)
• Attention deficits
• Inability to learn new skills
• Memory loss
• Confabulation

Memory impairments can come in the form of retrograde amnesia (recalling details from the past) or anterograde amnesia (obtaining recent information). Confabulation is a term that means a person attempts to fill in missing memories with fabricated or “borrowed experiences,” but believes them to be genuine recollections. It very unhelpful in these instances to accuse the sufferer of lying, as he or she will truly believe what they say.

People with this disease are often easily frustrated, agitated, and aggressive. At other times they may appear dazed or in a trance-like state. Normal daily activities such as walking, grasping objects, eating, drinking, and grooming become very difficult.

While a Korsakoff patient suffers from a virtually non-existent short-term memory and confusion, patients can still discuss past events or experiences in detail.

Diagnosis

Korsakoff syndrome is a clinical diagnosis that reflects a physician’s best judgment about the etiology of a person’s symptoms. There are no specific neuroimaging procedures or lab tests that will confirm a person has this condition. The syndrome can be hard to identify because it may be masked by symptoms of other conditions common among those who abuse alcohol, including intoxication, withdrawal, infection, or head injury.

Experts recommend that a medical assessment for memory loss or other cognitive changes should always include questions about an individual’s alcohol use.

Wernicke’s Encephalopathy

Encephalopathy is a medical term that means “disease of the brain.” In this case, the injury involves a myriad of nerves in the brain and spinal cord and nerve endings throughout the body.

Wernicke’s encephalopathy symptoms may include:

• Vision impairment
• Sluggish pupil reflexes and uneven pupil size
• Involuntary eye movement (nystagmus)
• Eye paralysis (ophthalmoplegia)
• Mental confusion or stupor
• Loss of coordination (ataxia)
• Low body temperature (hypothermia)
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Without treatment, Wernicke’s encephalopathy develops into Korsakoff psychosis or results in coma and death.

Some researchers posit that Wernicke and Korsakoff syndromes are separate but closely related disorders. Others believe, however, that they are essentially different stages of one disorder, or acute and chronic components of the same disease, respectively. Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis are the acute and chronic phases, respectively, of the same disease.

Treatment for Korsakoff’s Syndrome and Addiction

Korsakoff’s Syndrome

Korsakoff’s syndrome can be treated and sometimes yield positive results. To counteract this deficiency, a doctor will often inject raw thiamine into the body of the person suffering from Korsakoff syndrome. Since the disease primarily impacts short-term memory, those memories relating to the period before the development of the condition are usually left intact.

Treatment may also consist of thiamine supplements, adequate nutrition, hydration, and long-term abstinence from alcohol. Most signs of the deficiency are reversible if caught early.

For some, however, the return of memory and cognitive function falls somewhere between irregular and absent altogether. Some alcoholics experience permanent brain damage and require assistance with basic daily living activities (custodial care) due to lack of treatment.

Alcoholism

Those who suffer from alcoholism put themselves at risk for a host of medical conditions and nutritional deficits. In some cases, the nutritional deficiencies from chronic alcoholism have long-term consequences, such as Korsakoff’s psychosis and Wernicke’s encephalopathy.

Alcoholism is a chronic disease that is not curable but treatable. Our center uses an integrated approach to addiction that includes research-based therapeutic services such as psychotherapy, psychoeducation, group support, and individual and family counseling.

These services are delivered by compassionate addiction professionals who provide clients with the resources and knowledge they need to recover and experience long-lasting wellness and sobriety.

Coping with addiction is a life-long process, but you don’t have to do it alone. Call us today and discover how we can help you achieve the life you deserve!

Related: Liver Pain After Drinking Alcohol?

Although legal in most regions of the world, alcohol comes with a significant risk of dependence and addiction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive alcohol use led to an estimated 88,000 deaths and a combined 2.5 million years of potential life lost each year in the U.S. between 2006 – 2010.

Among the most common symptoms and signs of alcohol abuse are:

• Poor coordination
• Slurred speech
• Impaired thinking
• Memory impairment
• Wanting to stop drinking but not being unable to do so
• Redirecting energy from work, family, and social life in lieu of drinking
• Being deceptive and secretive about the extent of the alcohol use
• Engaging in risky and impulsive behavior, such as drunk driving
• Being in denial about the magnitude of the alcohol use problem
• Becoming distressed about the possibility of not having alcohol available

When a person who routinely abuses alcohol stops drinking or dramatically cuts back, withdrawal symptoms will appear. Such symptoms can begin as soon as a few hours after the last drink and continue for several days or weeks. Symptoms can include shaking, anxiety, insomnia, and an overwhelming desire for a drink.

In severe cases, delirium tremens (DTs), a potentially life-threatening condition that includes seizures, hallucinations, and a fever may occur. For this reason, severe alcoholics should never go through the detox process without medical supervision.

Recognizing an Alcohol Use Disorder

Per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), diagnosis of an alcohol use disorder (AUD) requires that a person must meet at least two of 11 specific criteria within a 12-month period. Depending on the number of criteria satisfied, the person will be diagnosed with a mild, moderate, or severe alcohol use disorder.

These 11 criteria include:

1. Feeling powerless to control one’s alcohol use.

2. Declining to participate in social activities or hobbies that used to be considered enjoyable.

3. Having a desire to stop or reduce drinking but finding it difficult or impossible to do so.

4. Using alcohol in risky situations, such as while swimming or driving.

5. Dedicating significant time and resources to drinking.

6. Developing tolerance for alcohol (i.e., requiring more alcohol over time to achieve the feelings of prior use).

7. Experiencing cravings for alcohol when not drinking.

8. Experiencing symptoms of withdrawal when not drinking (e.g., sweating, shaking, and nausea/vomiting).

9. Encountering problems at work, home, or school due to alcohol use.

10. Having to drink alcohol to feel better, especially in response to withdrawal symptoms (i.e., the hair of the dog that bit you).

11. Continuing alcohol use even when it is leading to social, physical, relationship, and personal problems.

Another tool that helps determine whether an AUD is present is the CAGE substance abuse screening. The CAGE screening is a very short and simple questionnaire that attempts to measure a drinking problem’s severity.

The four questions on the CAGE screening questionnaire are as follows:

1. Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?

2. Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

3. Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?

4. Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get over a hangover?

If an individual answers “yes” to any two or more of the questions, this likely indicates the presence of an alcohol use disorder.

Physical and Psychological Signs of Alcohol Abuse

The short-term impact of alcohol use on the body includes but is not limited to the following:

• Slowed reaction times
• Trouble with motor coordination
• Impaired judgment and risk-taking without consideration of consequences (such as drunk driving)
• Memory impairment or memory lapses (blackouts)
• Slurred speech

An alcohol use disorder can result in permanent and debilitating health conditions that may require medical attention for a lifetime, such as liver disease and cognitive impairments. Excessive alcohol use also increases the risk of pancreatitis and certain types of cancer.

One of the hallmark signs of alcohol abuse drastically impacting a person’s health is malnutrition. The person may exhibit a gaunt appearance, hair thinning or loss, unhealthy skin pallor, and dark circles under their eyes. These may be symptoms of a condition known as thiamine (B1) deficiency, among other nutritional deficits.

Over a prolonged period of heavy drinking, people may encounter sleeping difficulties and mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety. Cognitive problems include a decreased attention span and motor coordination impairment.

Behavioral Signs of Alcohol Abuse

Behavioral signs of an alcohol use disorder usually become apparent over time. Those who engage in alcohol abuse may become increasingly furtive about their activities, and drink covertly, either in a private place or away from friends and family who may voice their concerns.

As a consequence of drinking, people may become more accident prone and exhibit signs of injury, which they may try to conceal. A person who has an alcohol use disorder may also hide alcohol around the house or at work. He or she may become worried about running out of alcohol, which in turn means that they actively keep an available supply within reach.

Alcohol abuse can also cause people to exhibit a decreased level of care for their hygiene and physical appearance. As alcohol abuse advances, the person may look as if they have not been bathing, shaving, and are no longer washing or changing their clothing.

Alcohol abuse often results in problems with the person’s relationships – a person who has a rather calm affect when sober may experience mood swings, depression, irritability, or aggression when intoxicated.

Additional behavioral signs of alcohol abuse may include:

• Increasing legal problems, such as charges related to assault, domestic violence, or drunk driving
• Showing up intoxicated at work, school, or a family function
• Overreacting to any perceived criticism levied against their drinking habits
• Experiencing increasing financial troubles, such as uncharacteristically taking out loans, liquidating assets, or depleting cash accounts
• Stealing to fund drinking habits
• Engaging in risky or impulsive activities, such as unprotected sex

Many people with an alcohol use disorder who experience cognitive problems will recover with treatment within a year of sobriety. The outcome of recovery and maintained sobriety, however, depends on a myriad of medical, personal, and physiological factors.

Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

Persons who suffer from alcoholism are urged to seek treatment as soon as possible. Many begin with a medical detox, a process in which the patient is supervised around the clock for several days while the body cleanses itself of alcohol and other toxins.

During this time, vital signs are monitored, and medical staff administer medication to ease the worst symptoms of withdrawal and address complications, should they arise.

After detox, persons with moderate to severe addictions are encouraged to participate in a long-term inpatient or partial hospitalization treatment program. Services include evidence-based approaches shown in clinical studies to be the most effective in the treatment of addiction, such as psychotherapy, counseling, and group support.

Our center offers a comprehensive, integrated approach to addiction treatment, and employs caring staff who specialize in addiction and deliver services to our clients with compassion and expertise. We provide the tools needed by those in recovery to achieve abstinence and maintain long-lasting sobriety and wellness.

You can reclaim your life and experience the happiness and well-being you deserve – contact us today to find out how we can help!