Since I started writing for The CP Diary I made a point of writing about the things that affect me to help with my anxiety, I also write about the things that can affect others also. The world is changed, I think it important to be aware of just what is happening out there and how we may cope mentally and emotionally.

Alcohol

Alcohol is something we drink, something we get a taste for through social drinking, something we go back to just to be social – but for those people with a predisposition to alcohol, they may not always be able to predict just how much they drink, or when or if they will stop.

Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol dependence can start at any age. There are no good predictors of when it may start, whether it's though a family history or a current family problem with alcohol. Drug abuse problems may also influence the start of personal drinking. It is common for those who struggle with alcohol to deny the negative effects of drinking, or that they even have a problem. Alcohol is considered a drug because it depresses the central nervous system and when consumed in excess, can disrupt mental and motor skills. When drinking excessively, it can also damage internal organs. Alcohol is not only harmful to your health but to the pocket too.

The Effects of Drinking Alcohol

The effects of alcohol are numerous. When consumed in excess, alcohol can be physically and psychologically addicting; it causes impaired memory, co-ordination and judgment; it can also damage the heart, liver and nervous system. If consumed too much in pregnancy, it can lead to birth defects. People drink to reduce tension, reduce inhibitions, and eases social interactions. Some people may have been heavy drinkers for many years, others may develop a drinking problem later in life. The onset of a drinking problem may be triggered by a big life change that can cause depression, isolation and loneliness.

Safe drinking

Below are steps to reduce the risk:

• Make sure you eat before drinking so that you slow the absorption of alcohol and slow its effects;
• Don’t drink when you're thirsty. Reduce your thirst before drinking alcohol;
• Don't pick up a drink when you’re under stress, emotionally upset, or tired;
• Know when to stop. Think why you want to drink, don’t just drink to get drunk;
• Don't mix alcohol with drugs or medicines.

Signs of problem drinking

• Frequent uncontrolled drinking episodes;
• Drinking until drunk;
• Going to work drunk, or drinking on the job;
• Driving under the influence of alcohol;
• Getting into trouble with the law or injuring yourself as a result of drinking;
• Problems at school with social relationships, or with family because of drinking;
• Using alcohol to decrease anxiety or sadness;
• Downing alcohol;
• Frequently having more than 2 drinks a day for men, or 1 drink a day for women or older adults;
• Lying, or trying to hide drinking habits;
• Needing more alcohol to get high;
• Feeling irritable, and being unreasonable because you're not having a drink;
• Having social or financial worries caused by drinking.

What you can do

• Learn more facts about alcoholism;
• Treat alcoholism as a disease, not a moral failure or lack of willpower;
• Be understanding, but don't become an 'enabler' by protecting or lying for an alcoholic, or denying the problem exists;
• Encourage treatment.

Conclusion

Where having a drink is considered social, over the years our interpretation of what is social has changed. But as part of us having a healthier lifestyle and moderating the amount of stress we take in, we will moderate how much we drink and will rely less on alcohol.

It is important we understand alcohol and its effects. The more we understand how alcohol works, the less likely we will become reliant on it. Alcohol has become so accepted, we don't think about it when we pick up a drink. We're not consciously thinking about what we drink or how much we drink. (Source: urmc.rochester.edu)