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.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Medicines used to treat at-risk alcohol use may cause side effects including headaches, nausea, or vomiting (throwing up). Other side effects include fast heartbeats, loss of appetite, anxiety, or drowsiness. If at-risk alcohol use is left untreated, you may develop serious drinking problems. These include alcohol abuse or dependence that may also lead to other more serious health problems. You may have high blood pressure, or liver and heart diseases. You may also have problems with your mood, friendships, and relationships. You also increase your chance of having accidents, harming others, or breaking the law. The earlier at-risk alcohol use is treated, the better the chances of preventing future problems. Your health, quality of life, and ability to function may decrease without treatment. Ask your caregivers if you are worried or have questions about your condition, medicine, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

Intake and output:

Caregivers will keep track of the amount of liquid you are getting. They also may need to know how much you are urinating. Ask how much liquid you should drink each day. Ask caregivers if they need to measure or collect your urine.

IV:

An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.

Vital signs:

Caregivers will check your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will also ask about your pain. These vital signs give caregivers information about your current health.

Medicines:

Your caregiver may give you certain medicines to relieve your symptoms. These may include medicines to treat anxiety, sleeping problems, or the effects of alcohol.

• Glucose: This medicine may be given to increase the amount of sugar in your blood.
  
  
• Mineral and vitamin supplements: Mineral and vitamin supplements, such as Vitamin B1 or thiamine, may be given. They may help prevent other alcohol-related conditions that may affect the brain.

Tests:

You may need any of the following:

• Heart monitor: This test is also called an EKG or ECG. Sticky pads are placed on your skin to record your heart's electrical activity. An EKG gives information about how your heart is working. Lie as still as possible during the test.
  
  
• Blood, urine, saliva, or breath tests: Samples of your blood, urine, or saliva are collected and sent to a lab for tests. Your breath may also be tested to check the levels of alcohol.
  
  
• CT scan: This test is also called a CAT scan. An x-ray and computer are used to take pictures of your skull and brain. You may be given dye, also called contrast, before the test. Tell the caregiver if you are allergic to dye, iodine, or seafood.
  
  
• MRI: This scan uses powerful magnets and a computer to take pictures of your brain. It will also take pictures of the blood vessels and structures in your head. You may be given dye, also called contrast, before the test. Tell caregivers if you are allergic to dye, iodine, or seafood. Remove all jewelry, and tell caregivers if you have any metal in or on your body. Metal can cause serious injury. Tell caregivers if you cannot lie still or are anxious or afraid of closed spaces.
  
  
• Neurologic exam: This is also called neuro signs, neuro checks, or neuro status. A neurologic exam can show caregivers how well your brain works after an injury or illness. Caregivers will check how your pupils (black dots in the center of each eye) react to light. They may check your memory and how easily you wake up. Your hand grasp and balance may also be tested.

Treatment options:

Your may need any of the following:

• 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 teach you about problems that can 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.
  
  
• Detoxification: Your caregiver may need to put you in an alcohol detoxification program if your drinking problem becomes worse. This is done to flush out the toxic residues of alcohol present in your body. During detox, medicines are given to help prevent withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking alcohol. As you improve, your caregiver may slowly change how much detox medicines you are given.
  
  
• Respiratory support:
  
  
  • Oxygen: You may need extra oxygen if your blood oxygen level is lower than it should be. You may get oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth or through small tubes placed in your nostrils. Ask your caregiver before you take off the mask or oxygen tubing.
    
    
  • Ventilator: This is a machine that gives you oxygen and breathes for you when you cannot breathe well on your own. An endotracheal (ET) tube is put into your airway through your mouth or nose. You may need a trach if an ET tube cannot be placed. A trach is an airway tube put into an incision (cut) in the front of your neck. The ET tube or trach is attached to the ventilator.

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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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