Mental Health Symptoms

Alcoholism and Addictions

Alcohol/Substance Abuse Defined as: A destructive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant (social, occupational, medical) impairment or distress, as manifested by 3 or more of the following in the same 12 month period:

Symptoms:

Need for significant increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxification, or significant diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance.

The individual suffers withdrawal symptoms within several hours to a few days after a reduction in the amount of the substance taken over a prolonged period of time:

sweating hand/body tremors nausea or vomiting agitation insomnia anxiety hallucinations or illusions seizures The individual takes the substance to relieve or avoid the withdrawal symptoms.

The individual tries to cut down or quit taking the substance, but can't.

A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance and/or to recover from its effects.

The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period of time than was intended.

The individual continues to take the substance despite knowing that it's having a significant or worsening impact on their psychological/physical condition. (e.g., drinking, knowing that their ulcer condition is being worsened)

Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use.

If you or someone you know meets these criteria, it is time to change your relationship with alcohol, because it is taking over your life.

The difference between alcohol abuse (the above criterion) and a diagnosis of alcohol addiction is not very great, and the consequences for those of us who end up with that diagnosis are very great.