Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abusers have had some trauma in their lives and are choosing to "deal" with the emotions of the event by drinking. In many ways, alcohol abuse is the result of ineffective grieving and is extremely difficult for a therapist to make the distinction between someone who is an alcohol abuser and someone who is simply in a stage of socially condoned excessive use (SCEU). The deciding factor lies in action. Has the person had negative consequences, yet continues to drink? Has it become a consistent pattern, despite the care and worry of family and friends? If so, the diagnostician will rule out SCEU.
Alcohol dependent people can never drink without negative consequences. Unfortunately, there are no sure tests for alcoholism. Brainwave tests predict, with some certainty, a predilection for addiction but are quite expensive. Further several written tests detect it, with the SASSI being the most widely used. The tests tend to under-diagnose, and the smarter the client, the less accurate the test. However, the written tests are usually accurate in that if the test shows that the client is an alcoholic that is almost always true.
Education might help “over imbibers” who are described as socially condoned excessive use and abuse, but simple education may not help addicts or alcoholics. This is an important distinction. Education might prove to be helpful if you learn to understand how abuse relates to understanding what is and is not in one’s control, such as sleep, diet, and physical health. Education that discusses strategies for controlling drinking or use and reviewing strategies for changing strategic life goals might also help.
|
Alcohol Abuse
