Drug Information - Common Drugs of Abuse

ALCOHOL ABUSE

Alcohol Addiction or dependence, is defined as having at least 3 of the following signs: a tolerance for alcohol (needing increased amounts to achieve the same effect), withdrawal symptoms, taking alcohol in larger amounts that was intended or over a longer period of time than was intended, having a persistent desire to decrease or the inability to decrease the amount of alcohol consumed, spending a great deal of time attempting to acquire alcohol, and finally, continuing to use alcohol even though the person knows there are reoccurring physical or psychological problems being caused by the alcohol.

A cluster of physiological, behavioural, and cognitive phenomena in which the use of alcohol takes on a much higher priority for a given individual than other behaviours that once had greater value. A central descriptive characteristic of the dependence syndrome is the desire (often strong, sometimes overpowering) to take alcohol. There may be evidence that return to alcohol use after a period of abstinence leads to a more rapid reappearance of other features of the syndrome than occurs with nondependent individuals.

a. a strong desire or sense of compulsion to take alcohol;

b. difficulties in controlling alcohol-taking behaviour in terms of its onset, termination, or levels of use;

c. a physiological withdrawal state when alcohol use has ceased or been reduced, as evidenced by: the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for alcohol; or use of the alcohol with the intention of relieving or avoiding withdrawal symptoms;

d. evidence of tolerance, such that increased doses of alcohol are required in order to achieve effects originally produced by lower doses (clear examples of this are found in alcohol-dependent individuals who may take daily doses sufficient to incapacitate or kill nontolerant users);

e. progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests because of alcohol use, increased amount of time necessary to obtain or take alcohol or to recover from its effects;

f. persisting with alcohol use despite clear evidence of overtly harmful consequences, such as harm to the liver through excessive drinking; efforts should be made to determine that the user was actually, or could be expected to be, aware of the nature and extent of the harm.

It is an essential characteristic of the dependence syndrome that either alcohol taking or a desire to take alcohol should be present; the subjective awareness of compulsion to use alcohol is most commonly seen during attempts to stop or control alcohol use.

Includes:

" chronic alcoholism

a. progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests because of stimulant use, increased amount of time necessary to obtain or take the substance or to recover from its effects;

b. persisting with stimulant use despite clear evidence of overtly harmful consequences, such as depressive mood states consequent to periods of heavy substance use, or drug-related impairment of cognitive functioning; efforts should be made to determine that the user was actually, or could be expected to be, aware of the nature and extent of the harm.

Before we can understand how alcohol poisoning happens, we need to know how the body responds to alcohol. Alcohol is classified under the drug category as a depressant, and as such, its use causes effects and changes in the body and brain. Alcohol use slows down many of the functions of the body, including blood pressure, heart rate and breathing. If a person has put a large amount of alcohol in his or her system, the "slowing down" can lead to "passing out" and unconsciousness. And the vital organs, heart and lungs, can be slowed to the point of stopping.

How much alcohol will cause poisoning? Different people experience different effects. Some people who have little tolerance for alcohol or whose body is sensitive to the drug could be seriously at risk after six or seven drinks.

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