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7. Does a person have to be
alcoholic to experience problems from alcohol?
No. Even if you are not alcoholic, abusing alcohol can have negative
results, such failure to meet major work, school, or family responsibilities
because of drinking; alcohol-related legal trouble; automobile crashes
due to drinking; and a variety of alcohol-related medical problems.
Under some circumstances, problems can result from even moderate
drinking--for example, when driving, during pregnancy, or when taking
certain medicines.
8. Are certain groups of people
more likely to develop alcohol problems than others?
Yes. Nearly 14 million people in the United States -- 1 in every 13 adults -- abuse
alcohol or are alcoholic. However, more men than women are alcohol dependent
or experience alcohol-related problems. In addition, rates of alcohol
problems are highest among young adults ages 18-29 and lowest among adults
65 years and older. Among major U.S. ethnic groups, rates of alcoholism
and alcohol-related problems vary.
9. How can you tell whether you
or someone close to you has an alcohol problem?
A good first step is to answer the brief questionnaire below, developed
by Dr. John Ewing. (To help remember these questions, note that the first
letter of a key word in each question spells "CAGE.")
Have you ever felt you should Cut
down on your drinking?
Have people Annoyed you by criticizing
your drinking?
Have you ever felt bad or Guilty
about your drinking?
Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves
or to get rid of a hangover (Eye
opener)?
One "yes" answer suggests a possible alcohol problem. More than one
"yes" answer means it is highly likely that a problem exists. If you think
that you or someone you know might have an alcohol problem, it is important
to see a doctor or other health provider right away. He or she can determine
whether a drinking problem exists and, if so, suggest the best course
of action.
10. If I have trouble with drinking,
can't I simply reduce my alcohol use without stopping altogether?
That depends. If you are diagnosed as an alcoholic, the answer is "no."
Studies show that nearly all alcoholics who try to merely cut down
on drinking are unable to do so indefinitely. Instead, cutting
out alcohol (that is, abstaining) is nearly always necessary for
successful recovery. However, if you are not alcoholic but have had alcohol-related
problems, you may be able to limit the amount you drink. (See Question
13 for recommended limits.) If you cannot always stay within your
limit, you will need to stop drinking altogether.
11. How can a person get help for
an alcohol problem?
You can call the Center for Substance
Abuse Treatment at 1-800-662-HELP for information about treatment
programs in your local community and to speak to someone about an alcohol
problem.
Many people also benefit from support groups. For information on local
support meetings run by Alcoholics
Anonymous (AA), call your local AA chapter (check your local phone
directory under "Alcoholism") or call 212-870-3400. For meetings of Al-Anon
(for spouses and other significant adults in an alcoholic person's life)
and Alateen
(for children of alcoholics), call your local Al-Anon chapter or call
the following toll-free numbers: 1-800-344-2666 (United States) or 1-800-443-4525
(Canada).
12. If an alcoholic is unwilling to
seek help, is there any way to get him or her into treatment?
This can be a challenging situation. An alcoholic cannot be forced to
get help except under certain circumstances, such as when a violent incident
results in police being called or following a medical emergency.
This doesn't mean, however, that you have to wait for a crisis to make
an impact. Based on clinical experience, many alcoholism treatment specialists
recommend the following steps to help an alcoholic accept treatment:
Stop all "rescue missions."
Family members often try to
protect an alcoholic from the results of his or her behavior by making
excuses to others about his or her drinking and by getting him or her
out of alcohol-related jams. It is important to stop all such rescue attempts
immediately, so that the alcoholic will fully experience the harmful effects
of his or her drinking--and thereby become more motivated to stop.
Time your intervention.
Plan to talk with the drinker shortly
after an alcohol-related problem has occurred--for example, a serious
family argument in which drinking played a part or an alcohol-related
accident. Also choose a time when he or she is sober, when both of you
are in a calm frame of mind, and when you can speak privately.
Be specific.
Tell the family member that you are concerned
about his or her drinking and want to be supportive in getting help. Back
up your concern with examples of the ways in which his or her drinking
has caused problems for both of you, including the most recent incident.
State the consequences.
Tell the family member that until
he or she gets help, you will carry out consequences--not to punish the
drinker, but to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the drinking.
These may range from refusing to go with the person to any alcohol-related
social activities to moving out of the house. Do not make any threats
you are not prepared to carry out.
Be ready to help.
Gather information in advance about local
treatment options. If the person is willing to seek help, call immediately
for an appointment with a treatment program counselor. Offer to go with
the family member on the first visit to a treatment program and/or AA
meeting.
Call on a friend.
If the family member still refuses to
get help, ask a friend to talk with him or her, using the steps described
above. A friend who is a recovering alcoholic may be particularly persuasive,
but any caring, nonjudgmental friend may be able to make a difference.
The intervention of more than one person, more than one time, is often
necessary to persuade an alcoholic person to seek help.
Find strength in numbers.
With the help of a professional
therapist, some families join with other relatives and friends to confront
an alcoholic as a group. While this approach may be effective, it should
only be attempted under the guidance of a therapist who is experienced
in this kind of group intervention.
Get support.
Whether or not the alcoholic family member
seeks help, you may benefit from the encouragement and support of other
people in your situation. Support groups offered in most communities include
Al-Anon, which holds regular meetings for spouses and other significant
adults in an alcoholic's life, and Alateen, for children of alcoholics.
These groups help family members understand that they are not responsible
for an alcoholic's drinking and that they need to take steps to take care
of themselves, regardless of whether the alcoholic family member chooses
to get help.
For meeting locations, call your local Al-Anon chapter (check your local
phone book under "Alcoholism") or call the following toll-free numbers:
1-800-344-2666 (United States) or 1-800-443-4525 (Canada).
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