An interactive therapy involving parents and their depressed children can reduce rates of depression and lower the severity of kids’ … Read More→
Depression is a common and serious mental health condition, which can negatively affect how you feel, how you think, and … Watch Video→
Many people are worried about their retirement from a money perspective. According to a survey by Transamerica, most workers think … Read More→
Sleep is as important to our health as good nutrition and regular exercise. Not getting enough sleep is detrimental to … Read More→
The most effective, life-saving treatment for a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is epinephrine. Yet a 2018 study showed that in … Read More→
The “reward center” of our brain values foods high in both fat and carbs – i.e., many processed foods – … Read More→
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), there are many good reasons for families to stay … Read More→
Millions of us have jobs that keep us sitting at a desk all week long, week after week after week. … Read More→
It’s a whole new world for recent college graduates entering the workforce. Their priorities have changed. Now bills, rent, and … Read More→
Dr. Alberto Pappo, director of the Solid Tumor Division at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, says there are important things … Read More→
Simple blood test shows promise in detecting early-stage lung cancer, study finds.
Commonly prescribed antidepressants increase the risk of weight gain for years, study finds.
Alcohol abuse is excessive or problematic alcohol consumption. It can progress to alcoholism.
Several factors can contribute to alcohol abuse and alcoholism, including:
These factors increase your chance of developing alcoholism. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
Doctors ask a series of questions to assess possible alcohol-related problems, including:
Blood tests may be done to:
It is common to deny an alcohol problem. Alcohol abuse can occur without physical dependence.
Alcohol abuse symptoms include:
Symptoms of alcoholism include:
The brain, nervous system, heart, liver, stomach, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas can all be damaged by alcoholism.
Treatment for alcohol abuse or dependence is aimed at teaching patients how to manage the disease. Most professionals believe that this means giving up alcohol completely and permanently.
The first and most important step is recognizing a problem exists. Successful treatment depends on your desire to change. Your doctor can help you withdraw from alcohol safely. This could require hospitalization in a detoxification center. They will carefully monitor you for side effects. You may need medication while you are undergoing detoxification.
Treatments include:
Drugs can help relieve some of the symptoms of withdrawal and help prevent relapse. The doctor may prescribe medication to reduce cravings for alcohol.
Medications used to treat alcoholism and to try to prevent drinking include:
A study showed that an anticonvulsant drug, topiramate (Topamax), may reduce alcohol dependence.
Therapy helps you to recognize alcohol’s dangers. Education raises awareness of underlying issues and lifestyles that promote drinking. In therapy, you work to improve coping skills and learn other ways of dealing with stress or pain.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) helps many people to stop drinking and stay sober. Members meet regularly and support each other. Your family members may also benefit from attending meetings of Al-Anon. Living with an alcoholic can be a painful, stressful situation.
Here are some general statistics on treatment outcomes of individuals one year after attempting to stop drinking:
If you are diagnosed with alcohol abuse or alcoholism, follow your doctor’s instructions.
Alcohol Awareness and College Students
Detecting Lung Cancer
Mouthwatering Summer Cocktail Recipes
Live by Your Own Light
Thanksgiving was not always a traditional holiday in Puerto Rico – but as more Puerto Rican families called ...
Oyster dressing – as strange as it might sound (possibly conjuring images of the bivalve dressed up with a b ...
Flatbreads are a feature of many diverse cultures – from Ethiopia to India to Mexico – Lefse, a thin potat ...