The Role of Alcohol in our Lives

By Wilma Dickerson

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Alcohol is one of the leading causes of death in our country. The holiday season for some will have been a time of year for parties and celebrations which many times have brought increased exposure to alcohol. Some people will have used alcohol to augment their celebrating and others to dull the pain that holiday memories have brought. For this reason I thought it good to start planting some seeds of thought for anyone who might have faced a problem with drinking during the holidays.

Alcoholism is a primary, progressive and fatal disease associated with an addiction to the drug alcohol. It has been linked to genetics in families. There are multiple ways to get help if there is a problem. The first step is acknowledging that there is a problem. Once this information is shared with someone else it can be a way of starting to cut the ball and chain feeling that alcoholism bring about.

People who have this illness use alcohol on a continuous or periodic basis and experience:

The following questions are based on the common signs of alcoholism. These are yes and no questions. Any "yes" answer means that the person is at risk and more than one "yes" may mean there is an alcohol-related problem and counseling is indicated.

1. Do you ever drink heavily when you are disappointed, under pressure or have had a quarrel with someone?

2. Can you handle more alcohol now than when you first started drinking?

3. Do you sometimes feel uncomfortable if alcohol is not served?

4. Are you in more of a hurry to get to your first drink of the day than you used to be?

5. Do you sometimes feel guilty about your drinking?

6. Has a family member or friend ever expressed concern about your drinking?

7. Have you been having more memory "blackouts" recently?

8. Do you often want to continue drinking after others say they've had enough?

9. Do you usually have a reason for the occasions when you drink heavily?

10. When you are sober, do you sometimes regret things you did or said while drinking?

11. Have you sometimes failed to keep promises to yourself about controlling or cutting down on your drinking?

12. Have you ever had a DUI violation or other legal problems related to your drinking?

13. Do you try to avoid family or friends while you are drinking?

14. Are you having more financial, work, school and/or family problems related to your drinking?

15. Has your doctor ever advised you to cut down on your drinking?

16. Do you eat very little or irregularly during the time you are drinking?

17. Do you sometimes have the "shakes" in the morning and find that it helps to have a little drink or medication of some kind?

18. Do you ever feel depressed or anxious before, during or after periods of heavy drinking?

19. Have you ever gone to anyone for help about your drinking?

20. Have any of your blood relatives ever had a problem with alcohol?

If you answered yes to some of these questions, please seek help. If you have a pastor or priest, start with him or her if that is an option. They will help guide you in the right direction.

Wilma Dickerson, R.N., B.S.N., is a health educator for Reid Hospital and Health Care Services in Richmond, Indiana.

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