Dr Michelle Butterworth, specialist registrar in addiction psychiatry at South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, suggests some of the questions that you might want to discuss with your doctor.
What is alcohol misuse?
Alcohol misuse is using alcohol in such a way that it causes harm to you and to those close to you - physically, psychologically and socially.
Can drinking too much harm my health?
Definitely. At the lower end of the spectrum, simply overdoing it causes a hangover, which is a result of dehydration and low blood sugar levels. A hangover also alters the way the brain cells work, causing tremors and sleep disruption. Moving up the scale, drinking too much can cause accidents, violence and reckless or dangerous behaviour. If you drink heavily, you're at risk of alcoholic hepatitis (when the liver becomes inflamed), cirrhosis and damaging the ability of your brain to work effectively.
How do I know I have a problem?
It’s not just about what or how much you're drinking. You have a problem with alcohol if:
- You want to drink at a time when it’s not appropriate.
- You have difficulty controlling or limiting what you drink.
- Your judgment is affected.
What are the signs I could be alcohol dependent?
- If you wake up sweating and shaking.
- If you drink every day.
- If you need increasing quantities to get the same effect.
- If you crave alcohol.
- If your drinking starts to take over other areas of your life.
I only drink a lot on Friday and Saturday night. That can’t hurt, can it?
It depends on how much you're drinking. If you're ‘saving up’ your units or drinking more than twice the maximum recommended units of alcohol per day in one session, then it is harmful to your health and possibly to others.
Can I cut down on my own?
If you're drinking heavily but not alcohol dependent, you may be able to cut down on your own. If, however, you are physically dependent on alcohol, trying to stop on your own can cause serious health problems. In both cases, it's best to talk to your GP or a drug and alcohol advisor.
