Alcoholism
1. DEFINITION
a) Alcoholism:
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) identifies alcoholism or alcohol dependence as comprising of four symptoms : (1)
i) Craving: The individual has a need or impulse to consume alcohol
ii) Loss of Restraint: The individual cannot restrict or control their drinking
iii) Physical Dependence: The individual exemplifies withdrawal symptoms when they halt the use of alcohol
iv) Tolerance: The individual must drink more and more alcohol in order to reach the stage of drunkenness
2. BIBLE REFERENCE
Proverbs 20:1
“Wine producers mockers; liquor leads to brawls. Whoever is lead astray by drink cannot be wise”.
3. FACTS
a) Long Term Physical Health Consequences of Alcoholism : (2)
·Cirrhosis of the liver: Scar tissue replaces the healthy tissue of the liver. This blocks the flow of blood through the liver and stops it from functioning properly . (3)
·Mouth, throat and Oesophagus cancer
·Stroke and hypertension
·Nerve problems in arms and legs
·Harm to an unborn child
·Sexual Problems
b) Long Term Mental Health Consequences of Alcoholism : (4)
·Alcohol Dependence
·Memory problems
·Brain injury
4. GOVERNING STRATEGIES
a) National Alcohol Strategy 2006-2009 (5)
·The National Alcohol Strategy was developed with collaboration between the community, Australian governments and non-governmental and industry partners.
·It was endorsed by the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy (MCDS) in May 2006.
·It delineates the areas of concern that need action in order to minimise alcohol related harm in Australia.
·Areas of concern: intoxication, public safety and amenity, health impacts and cultural place and availability.
·Visit: http://www.alcohol.gov.au/internet/alcohol/publishing.nsf/Content/nas-06-09
b) Australian Alcohol Guidelines (6)
·Released September 2001 by the National Health and Medical Research Council.
·Provides Australians with advice and information on low risk drinking levels.
·Visit: http://www.alcohol.gov.au/internet/alcohol/publishing.nsf/Content/guidelines
5. HOW YOU CAN ACT
a) To Help Yourself:
·According to NIAAA, these are some of the methods that can be followed : (7)
·The first step to recovery from alcoholism, is admitting that you have a problem with alcohol and that you need help.
·The next step is contacting your health care professional, who will ask you questions to determine if you have an alcohol problem and may give you a physical examination.
·The doctor will offer you a specific treatment program to cater to your specific problems with alcohol.
·You can also contact any of the NSW help centres listed below, or any others that you or friends and family members know of.
b) To Help A Loved One:
·There is no easy way to try and help a loved one who you believe is an alcoholic, but here are some steps recommended by many alcoholism treatment specialists: (8)
·Stop protecting or making excuses for the alcoholism of the drinker.
·When you intervene, make sure that the drinker is sober, and it is after a negative drinking related incident has occurred. Make sure you have privacy.
·When you talk to the drinker, get straight to the point, and use examples of incidents that have occurred due to their drinking. Have a firm, non-accusing tone.
·Join with relatives or friends of the drinker and have a group confrontation. However, this should be done with the guidance of a health care professional.
6. AUSTRALIAN HELP CENTRES
If you would like help for yourself or a family member/ friend you can contact these centres. However, one of the first ports of call for the drinker should be their health care professional.
Alcohol and Drug Information Services
·ACT – (02) 6205 4545
·NSW – Sydney – (02) 9361 8000
Country – 1800 422 599
·SA – 1300 131 340
·VIC – 1800 888 236
·NT – Darwin – (08) 8948 0087
Central Australia – (08) 8951 7580
Territory Wide – 1800 131 350
·QLD – Brisbane – (07) 3236 2414
Country – 1800 177 833
·TAS – 1800 811 994
·WA – Perth – (08) 9442 5000
Country – 1800 198 024
Alcoholics Anonymous Australia
·Ballina – (02) 6686 8599
·Blue Mountains – (02) 4782 2412
·Croydon – (02) 9716 7547
·Gosford – Central Coast – (02) 4323 3890
·Newcastle – (02) 4962 3844
·Northern Sydney – (02) 9488 9820
·Sydney City – (02) 9387 7788
·Wollongong and Southern Highlands – (02) 4285 6788
Odyssey House
·Admission Centre – (02) 9281 5144
·Main Treatment Facility – (02) 9820 9999
·Counselling Services – (02) 9212 1977
·Assessment and Referral Centre – (02) 9603 2157
·Detoxification Unit – (02) 9824 8943
Ted Noffs Foundation – Program for Adolescent Life Management (PALM)
·Paramatta/Randwick – (02) 9310 0133
·Coffs Harbour – (02) 6651 7177
·Dubbo – (02) 6887 3332
7. BIBLIOGRAHY AND FURTHER READING
Alcohol and Your Health (2003), “Harms Associated with Alcohol”, National Alcohol Strategy, Category III, Fact Sheet 19.
Australian Government, NGOs and Community (2005), “Towards Safer drinking Cultures”, National Alcohol Strategy 2006 – 2009
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2004), “Alcoholism – Getting the Facts”, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, No. 96-4153.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2006), If an Alcoholic is unwilling to get help, what can you do?, National Institutes on Health,
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/FAQs/General-English/FAQs12.htmAccessed: 17 August 2006
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2003), National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), No. 04-1134. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cirrhosis/Accessed: 17 August 2006
(1) National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2004), “Alcoholism – Getting the Facts”, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, No. 96-4153, pp. 2-3
(2) Alcohol and Your Health (2003), “ Harms Associated with Alcohol”, National Alcohol Strategy, Category III, Fact Sheet 19, pp. 1
(3) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2003), National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), No. 04-1134, pp. 1. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cirrhosis/
(4) Alcohol and Your Health (2003), “ Harms Associated with Alcohol”, National Alcohol Strategy, Category III, Fact Sheet 19, pp. 1
(5) Australian Government, Department on Health and Ageing (2006) National Alcohol Strategy 2006-2009, http://www.alcohol.gov.au/internet/alcohol/publishing.nsf/Content/nas-06-09(6) Australian Government, Department on Health and Ageing (2006) Australian Alcohol Guidelines, http://www.alcohol.gov.au/internet/alcohol/publishing.nsf/Content/guidelines
(7) National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2004), “Alcoholism – Getting the Facts”, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, No. 96-4153, pp. 5-6
(8) National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2006), If an Alcoholic is unwilling to get help, what can you do?, National Institutes on Health,
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/FAQs/General-English/FAQs12.htm
