| To find out if their patient has problem drinking, or | | | | the less likely they will develop alcoholism. A brief |
| even alcoholism, physicians often use the CAGE | | | | intervention may include discussing with a person how |
| screening questions to help determine if they have a | | | | they have a problem drinking alcohol, and discussing |
| problem which should be addressed. The first | | | | with them how their alcohol consumption is affecting |
| question is based on the letter "C" and asks if a | | | | their life and the lives of other people around them. |
| person has ever thought about Cutting back on their | | | | If a person does not believe that they have a |
| drinking. The second letter, "A", is when a physician | | | | problem, then they are less likely to seek treatment. |
| asks if you have ever felt Annoyed with people | | | | However, a person who does accept that they have |
| asking you questions about your drinking. The "G" | | | | problem drinking, will be more receptive to |
| asks if you have ever felt Guilty about your drinking, | | | | suggestions to join a self help group such as |
| and the final letter "E", asks if you have ever had an | | | | alcoholics anonymous. Because alcoholism is a |
| Eye opener in the morning, i.e. drinking alcohol in the | | | | complex disease, family members of people with |
| morning to get going. People who answer two or | | | | problem drinking are encouraged to participate in |
| more questions in the affirmative are more than 90 | | | | Al-anon, or Alateen, so that they may gain support, |
| percent likely to have a drinking problem. | | | | as well as help a loved one who has an alcohol |
| Approximately one in ten Americans will suffer from | | | | dependence. |
| alcohol dependence during their life. A person who is | | | | There are some medications which doctors prescribe |
| dependent on alcohol may develop a tolerance to the | | | | for a patient who has alcohol dependence or |
| effects of alcohol which include disinhibition, and | | | | alcoholism, such as disulfiram, which causes |
| decreased cognitive functions such as reasoning. As | | | | symptoms of nausea, vomiting, a sense of dysphoria, |
| person who is dependent on alcohol may also | | | | the opposite of euphoria, when a person takes this |
| develop alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which in their | | | | medication and also continues to drink alcohol. |
| most severe form can include nausea and vomiting, | | | | However, use of this medication requires that a |
| hallucinations, seizures, tremors, and even the | | | | person takes disulfiram, which they may quit at any |
| occasionally fatal delirium tremens. | | | | time and return to drinking. Naltrexone is another |
| There are a variety of treatments for alcohol | | | | medication which works by blocking the opiate |
| dependence, and for alcoholism. People who have | | | | receptors in the brain, and is thought to decrease the |
| alcoholism are encouraged to avoid drinking alcohol as | | | | cravings that a person with alcohol dependence or |
| this may lead to a relapse into heavy drinking. The | | | | alcoholism experience. By discussing these |
| earlier that a person who has a problem drinking | | | | medications with your doctor, you likely will find a |
| alcohol is identified and offered at least some form | | | | treatment regime that will help you to regain the |
| of treatment, the more likely that they will be able to | | | | quality of life you had before you developed alcohol |
| identify their alcohol consumption as a problem and | | | | dependence. |