Substance Abuse
Definitions and Symptoms

ALCOHOL - Abuse/ Dependency

Definition:

Alcoholism, also known as “alcohol dependence,” is a disease that includes four symptoms:

• Craving: A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
• Loss of control: The inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion.
• Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
• Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to “get high.”

Symptoms:

• Cannot control drinking (Salience of drinking)
• Increased tolerance
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Relief or avoidance of withdrawal symptoms by further drinking
• Cravings
• Relapse

Effects:

• Elated mood
• Impaired judgment
• Anger (Belligerence)
• Impaired social and occupational functioning
• Mood swings (Mood liability)
• Brain Damage (Cognitive impairment)
• Reduced attention span
• Slurred speech
• In coordination
• Loss of balance (Unsteady gait)
• Non-functioning (Stupor)
• Coma
• Alcohol induced amnesia
• Hallucinations
• Depression and suicide

Effects on Alimentary Tract:

• Liver Damage: hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer
• Gastritis
• Peptic Ulcer
• Esophageal Varices
• Pancreatitis
• Cancers of the mouth, pharynx and esophagus