Montressa Beatty
Emergency Procedures
Dr. Sam Hakim

Alcoholism

Define alcohol abuse.
Alcohol abuse is when one drinks alcoholic beverages in excess, whether on individual occasions (binge drinking) or as a regular practice. It is said that almost any amount of alcohol use may be legally considered as “alcohol abuse”, although it does depend on the local laws.

Define binge drinking.
Binge drinking is a seriously dangerous habit or practice of consuming large amounts of alcoholic beverages in a single setting. A person that practices binge drinking is at risk of causing serious harm, including alcohol poisoning.

Define alcoholism.
Alcoholism is when an individual physically becomes dependant on alcohol to the extent that stopping the use of the alcoholic beverages will bring on withdrawal symptoms. This term may also refer to ingrained drinking habits that cause health problems as well as social problems. The dependence on the alcohol causes many serious side effects on the brain, liver, and other organs of the body.

What are the risk factors for developing alcoholism?
There are several risk factors for alcoholism such as:

* An individual drinking too much on a regular basis for an extended period of time. * Most people who begin drinking at an early age are at a higher risk for developing a dependency for alcohol. * Women are less likely to become dependent on alcohol than men, although women are at a greater risk for developing medical complications that are linked to drinking for, example kidney disease. * Individuals that had a parent that abused alcohol are at a higher risk for alcoholism. * People that suffer from mental disorders such as anxiety or depression are known for abusing alcohol. * If a person has a close personal friend that drinks regularly they are susceptible to alcoholism. The media is known for