Departments
Health Matters
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Week of 5 September 1997 |
Vol. I, No. 2 |
Health Matters
The sober truth: signs of alcoholism
I'm concerned that a member of my family may be an alcoholic. What are the signs, and what can I do to help?
Alcoholism sends the lives of family and friends -- not to mention that of the drinker -- into upheaval. #Alcoholics have an addiction characterized by an extremely high tolerance for alcohol. As the disease progresses, the alcoholic requires increasingly more alcohol to produce the same sensory effect. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism believes that some 14 million Americans -- 7 percent of our population -- are alcoholics.
"There are different levels of problem drinking," says Dr. Edward Bernstein, vice chairman of academic affairs in BMC's emergency department. "When drinkers' lives become organized around drinking, they are no longer occasionally abusing alcohol, but are dependent on it."
Alcoholics have difficulty stopping drinking after they start and tend to "lose control" at social occasions. As well as frequent intoxication, signs of alcoholism can include extreme giddiness or anger, temporary loss of motor coordination, and violence. When alcohol has become the central factor in their lives, problem drinkers neglect responsibilities at home and frequently miss work, and when they do work, are less productive. If they stop drinking, they can suffer from symptoms such as sweating, nausea, vomiting, elevated pulse and blood pressure, and delirium tremens (DTs).
The first step in finding help for your family member may be contacting community organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous, local churches and synagogues, or a family physician.
Bernstein does not rule out confronting drinkers directly. However, he cautions, "each situation is different because some drinkers may react violently while others may be ready to listen." If you do choose direct confrontation, let alcholics know you want to talk about drinking because you care. Make sure to get permission to talk about the subject. "Let them have control of the conversation because alcoholism involves not being in control," says Bernstein. However, if you allow them to talk, you are helping them start to achieve a sense of that control. He also recommends preparing a list of support and treatment options in case the drinker asks for help.
But if an alcoholic family member isn't willing to listen, you still have to control your own life. Especially in cases where the drinker is violent, you may have to ask him or her to move out, or you may choose to move out yourself. The exercise of such "tough love" may be beneficial in making the alcoholic confront his or her problem.
"Health Matters" is written in cooperation with staff members of Boston Medical Center. For more information about alcoholism or other health matters, call the BMC Health Connection at 638-6767.