Alcohol Intoxication
Alcohol Intoxication
Alcohol abuse is the misuse or overuse of beer, wine, or mixed drinks. You keep drinking even if it causes you problems. You may drink until you get drunk. Over time, drinking too much alcohol can lead to your body needing the alcohol. This is called dependency. Alcohol dependence is also called alcoholism. This means your brain and body are physically addicted to alcohol. You have a strong need or cravings to drink alcohol. You cannot stop or limit your drinking once you start. You may have signs of withdrawal if you stop drinking. You need to drink more to get the same effect. Problems with alcohol happen when you drink too much, too fast, or too often. A drinking problem can change all parts of your life. Drinking too much alcohol can cause problems in your family, your home, and with your job or school. It can also cause problems with your financial, physical, and mental health. It can cause social and legal problems. You may injure or harm yourself or others if you are drunk. Alcoholism is a medical problem. Your doctor can diagnose it. You may have signs like you: Drink more or longer than you planned Want to cut down or stop and you are not able to Spend a lot of time drinking and feel sick after drinking Have trouble at home or with family, job, or school from drinking Still drink even with these problems Still drink even if you feel depressed, nervous, or have another medical problem Give up things you like to drink instead There are many treatment programs to help you quit. You may need counseling and medicines. You may be treated in a special recovery center, or you may go to a program while living at home. It may help you to join a support group. After you get out of treatment, you will need a good support plan to help keep you sober. Your focus will be on not drinking and working on how to live without alcohol. Women, older adults, people with mental health problems or other addictions are at a higher risk for very serious health problems because of their drinking. Talk with your doctor to learn about your risk.
Name
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Discharge Instructions
About this topic
Alcohol abuse is the misuse or overuse of beer, wine, or mixed drinks. You keep drinking even if it causes you problems. You may drink until you get drunk. Over time, drinking too much alcohol can lead to your body needing the alcohol. This is called dependency. Alcohol dependence is also called alcoholism. This means your brain and body are physically addicted to alcohol. You have a strong need or cravings to drink alcohol. You cannot stop or limit your drinking once you start. You may have signs of withdrawal if you stop drinking. You need to drink more to get the same effect. Problems with alcohol happen when you drink too much, too fast, or too often. A drinking problem can change all parts of your life. Drinking too much alcohol can cause problems in your family, your home, and with your job or school. It can also cause problems with your financial, physical, and mental health. It can cause social and legal problems. You may injure or harm yourself or others if you are drunk. Alcoholism is a medical problem. Your doctor can diagnose it. You may have signs like you: Drink more or longer than you planned Want to cut down or stop and you are not able to Spend a lot of time drinking and feel sick after drinking Have trouble at home or with family, job, or school from drinking Still drink even with these problems Still drink even if you feel depressed, nervous, or have another medical problem Give up things you like to drink instead There are many treatment programs to help you quit. You may need counseling and medicines. You may be treated in a special recovery center, or you may go to a program while living at home. It may help you to join a support group. After you get out of treatment, you will need a good support plan to help keep you sober. Your focus will be on not drinking and working on how to live without alcohol. Women, older adults, people with mental health problems or other addictions are at a higher risk for very serious health problems because of their drinking. Talk with your doctor to learn about your risk.
What drugs may be needed?
Prevent withdrawal signs,Reduce cravings for alcohol,Treat nutrition problems
What problems could happen?
Bleeding from your stomach,Brain damage like memory loss, confusion, or loss of coordination,Seizures,Liver damage,Pancreas damage,Cancer of the mouth, esophagus, throat, liver, and breast,Heart damage,High blood pressure,Fetal alcohol exposure if you are pregnant. No amount of alcohol is safe for pregnant women to drink. Your child may have brain damage, problems with learning or behaving from your drinking.
When do I need to call the doctor?
Signs of alcohol withdrawal. These include not thinking clearly, shaking, seeing or hearing things that are not there, irritable, feeling very nervous, or fast heartbeat. Go to the ER right away.,You drank alcohol. Starting to drink again may be a problem. Getting treatment once may not be enough.
Body systems
Central Nervous System,Emergency Medicine,Healthy Living,Mental Health
What are other common names?
Abuse,Alcohol Abuse,Alcohol Addiction,Alcohol Dependence,Alcohol Dependency,Alcohol Intake,Alcohol Intoxication,Alcohol Treatment,Alcohol Use and Abuse,Alcohol Use Disorder,Alcohol Withdrawal,Alcoholics,Alcoholism,Drinking Problem,ETOH Abuse,Substance Use Disorder
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider’s advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.
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