At-risk Alcohol Use

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• At-risk alcohol use, also called hazardous drinking, occurs when heavy alcohol drinking increases your chance of having health problems. Alcohol is found in beer, wine, liquor, such as vodka and whiskey, and other adult drinks. With at-risk alcohol use, your age, gender, and the amount of alcohol you drink at one time are considered. You may be drinking regularly or all at once (binge drinking). In men, at-risk alcohol use is having more than 14 drinks per week, or more than four drinks at one time. For women, it is more than seven drinks per week, or more than three drinks at one time. At-risk alcohol use may lead to other serious drinking problems, such as alcohol abuse or dependence.
  
  
• You will be diagnosed with at-risk alcohol use if you drink alcohol heavily and have other symptoms. These symptoms include having health, family, work, or legal problems related with alcohol use. You may have a close family member who has a drinking problem. You may have been given a screening test and found to be an at-risk alcohol user. Treatment for at-risk alcohol use includes medicines, such as glucose and vitamin supplements. Your caregiver may also suggest that you have counseling. Diagnosing and treating at-risk alcohol use as soon as possible may prevent a more serious drinking problem. It may also help prevent alcohol-related health conditions, work issues, and social problems.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Activity and rest: At first you may need to rest in bed and have plenty of sleep. You may also have to stay in an evenly lit and quiet room. Loud noises, bright lights, or other disturbing things should be avoided while you are resting.

Counseling: Your caregiver may give you a short talk about the harmful effects of drinking alcohol heavily. This may include encouraging you and helping you set goals to stop or control drinking alcohol. Your caregiver may also teach you about problems that may occur if at-risk alcohol use is not treated. He may set limits, such as one drink per day for women, and two drinks per day for men.

Self-care:

• Avoid drinking alcohol or limit the amount you drink: Set a goal for yourself to completely avoid drinking alcohol, or limit the amount and times that you drink.
  
  
• Avoid stress: Stress may make your at-risk alcohol use worse and cause other problems later. Learn ways to control stress and your unwanted behavior. Ask your caregivers for new ways to calm your body and mind. Talk to someone about things that upset you.
  
  
• Be patient and keep your hopes up for improvement. Be patient and not too hard on yourself. Always be the first one to encourage yourself and find ways to boost your self-esteem. Work together with your family and friends and give each other support. This will help during hard times. If you drink alcohol again, do not drive or operate machines. Ask someone who is sober to help you go home or bring you to the nearest hospital.
  
  
• Learn about new treatments that may help. New treatments and therapies to help those with at-risk alcohol use are being developed. Certain treatments may make a big difference to your quality of life. Talk to your caregiver before trying any new therapy or medicine.
  
  
• Learn more about at-risk alcohol use. The more you know about at-risk alcohol use, the better you will be able to help yourself. Ask your caregiver for good sources of information. Work with your caregiver and other people recovering from at-risk alcohol use to help yourself.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You cannot make it to your next meeting with your caregiver.
  
  
• You have new symptoms since the last time you visited your caregiver.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You feel like hurting yourself or someone else.
  
  
• You feel you cannot cope with your drinking problem.
  
  
• You have trouble breathing, chest pains, or a fast heartbeat.
  
  
• You passed out or had a seizure (convulsion).
  
  
• Your symptoms are coming back or getting worse.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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