Juggling with work endeavors, and all the sorts of responsibilities in a world like this, taking a step back, and relaxing should be a compulsion. But do people take a chill pill?
We perceive ourselves to be machined, and when this human machine runs and runs till it starts rusting, it tends to find an escape. One of the escapes, alcohol, which is quite known, is so dangerous, if overused. We often come across news like a man coming home drunk late at night. Why? Because every action reacts. And sometimes, the reaction is very intense too. Such a reaction is Alcohol Abuse.
Alcohol Abuse is a pattern of consuming a lot of alcohol quite often. It becomes the consumer's necessity which needs fulfilment at least throughout a week or at the least, a day.
Causes of Alcohol Abuse
Acts as a coping mechanism to bear intolerable stress, and even traumatic events.
Alcohol produces chemical changes, and thus increases the pleasurable feelings while consuming alcohol which makes a person want to drink more often. It also affects serotonin, which plays a role in things like mood and sleep.
Genetic causes such as family history also contributes to causing alcohol abuse.
Has become an acquired culture among young adults.
Risk Factors
Families who have a history of alcohol addiction are 4 times likely to develop the same.
Drinking more than the normal quantity on a regular basis.
People suffering from mental health disorders.
Consumption of alcohol in proximity.
Peer pressure.
Normalized culture of consumption in the family.
Mentally disturbed people are prone to get addicted.
Effects of Alcohol Abuse
Intolerance
Depression
Anxiety
The feeling of guilt
Frequent blackouts
Memory lapses
Violence (included being violent to oneself and others)
Unhealthy Relationships
Obstacles in professional life
Alcohol abuse not only makes the abuser living toxic, but also messes up the abuser's social and personal life. The person actually becomes aloof, and thus relies more on alcohol, the destruction that happens slowly. The level of anxiety and stress keeps piling up.
Preventions
Keep a count of your intake and be aware. Not more than 7 drinks a week for women, and 14 drinks a week for men is moderate.
Get yourself involved in activities like listening to optimistic music or podcasts, meditation, outings, hobbies, social gatherings that will help you out in relieving stress.
Mingle up with a good social group, and invest your interest in activities that nurture you.
Alert yourself and others about alcohol, and its addiction by openly talking about it.
Vent away your concerns or problems to the people with whom you are comfortable.
Treatments
Behavioral Treatments
Led by health professionals, these treatments aim at counseling to change the drinking patterns. They may provide strategies to stay away from consumption.
Medication
Medications like Disulfiram, Acamprosate make drinking less pleasurable. However, one must consult a doctor or a professional before taking these medications.
Support Groups
Support groups consist of treatment carried out by health professionals, and extend support to the people.
Alcohol Detox
The break can help in lowering the amount of intake of alcohol and rehabilitation. It may seem difficult at first, but one must be determined and consistent to achieve the same.
Takeaway Message
Alcohol abuse is one of the major obstacles today. By practicing it's consumption, people are unknowingly passing on disorders to the coming generations. This practice needs to be eradicated from the root itself because it sucks out the physical and mental well-being steadily. Loneliness, depression, as stated, are reasons for getting hooked on alcohol. So, we as a part of the society, can ensure to create a healthy environment for the people surrounding us. This can help us in bringing not a drastic, but a small change in the statistics of any kind of abuse and can generate health awareness. A bit of happiness, a bit of comfort is all that we need, not to survive, but live.
References
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