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Overview
Moderate amounts of
alcohol can be enjoyable and relaxing. In the UK, like many other countries,
alcohol is not just socially acceptable, it is widely promoted. The
very term 'have a drink' is so ingrained in our language that we know
exactly what of type of drink is meant. But the danger starts when moderate
becomes heavy or more frequent and then 'drinking' becomes the disease
of alcoholism. The extent of the problem is not known for certain because
far more people are affected than are diagnosed or treated. But between
1% to 4% of the UK population could probably be classed as alcoholics.
What is a Safe Amount of Alcohol?
Tolerance to alcohol varies widely between individuals - and increases
with regular drinking.
The government recommends men drink no more than 3-4 units of alcohol
a day, and women no more than 2-3 units a day. A unit is equal to roughly
1/2 glass of normal strength beer, a glass of wine or a small glass
or fortified drink such as sherry. A pint of high-strength beer contains
up to 4 units of alcohol, whereas a pint of low-alcohol lager only contains
about 1/2 a unit.
So if you are drinking more than 20 units a week (for women) or 30 units
(for men), the chances are you have a drink problem.
What is wrong with drinking a lot?
People often say they only drink 'sociably'. That might be true but
the effects will be just the same whatever the motive. Depending on
quantity and frequency of consumption, alcohol affects every cell in
the body, particularly in the liver, heart and brain. It upsets nutritional
status too, because alcohol interferes with appetite and destroys nutrients
in the gut.
What are the day-to-day effects of alcoholism?
Those who develop a growing dependence on alcohol usually start to drink
earlier and earlier in the day, often secretly. They become more irritable
and aggressive, less reliable and prone to memory loss or even blackouts.
In the early stages they tend to deny they have a problem. Later, depression,
paranoia and severe difficulties with memory and concentration can set
in. The voice becomes husky, the face flushed and red. Chronic stomach
ache due to gastric erosion and gastritis, and cirrhosis of the liver
are both common. If the craving for alcohol is not satisfied alcoholics
get delirium tremens ('the shakes') and other symptoms. The heavy drinker's
family and friends usually pay a high price too, of course. Violence,
abuse and dishonesty go hand in hand with alcoholism, and children are
rarely immune from the ordeal one way or another.
How can alcoholics get help?
There is plenty of professional help available for people who think
they might have a drink problem. Most doctors and specialists view alcoholism
as a disease that, if not exactly curable, can be arrested.
One of the organisations most successful at tackling it is Alcoholics
Anonymous (AA). Plenty of short-term remedies can help people kick
the habit but AA insist that the right amount for an ex-alcoholic is
no alcohol ever again.
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