What is an Alcohol Problem?

Researchers use the term "alcohol problems" to refer to any type of condition caused by drinking which harms the drinker directly, jeopardizes the drinker’s well-being, or places others at risk. Depending on the circumstances, alcohol problems can result from even moderate drinking, for example when driving, during pregnancy, or when taking certain medicines. Alcohol problems exist on a continuum of severity ranging from occasional binge drinking to alcohol abuse or dependence (alcoholism).

Is There a Difference?

It is important to note that alcohol problems occur along a continuum of severity. The term alcoholism usually refers to alcohol abuse or dependence. Alcohol dependence is the most severe alcohol problem and typically consists of at least three of seven symptoms experienced within one year. These symptoms include repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop or cut down, need for increased amounts of alcohol (tolerance), or symptoms of withdrawal upon cessation of drinking (physical dependence). Many other types of alcohol problems do not entail alcohol dependence but are nevertheless harmful in their effect on a person’s job, health, and relationships. Also, alcohol problems of lesser severity can often progress to alcoholism if untreated.

The most common alcohol problems include:

Binge Drinking

Binge drinking is the type of problem drinking most often engaged in by young people in the 18-21 year old age range. Within this age group binge drinking is more prevalent among college students than non-students. Researchers often define binge drinking as the consumption of five or more drinks at one sitting for males and three or more drinks at one sitting for females. Binge drinkers on college campuses are more likely to damage property, have trouble with authorities, miss classes, have hangovers, and experience injuries than those who do not. Students living on campuses with high rates of binge drinking experience more incidents of assault and unwanted sexual advances than students on campuses with lower binge drinking rates.

Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse often results in absence from, and impaired performance at, school and on the job, neglect of child care or household responsibilities, legal difficulties and alcohol consumption in physically dangerous circumstances such as while driving. Individuals who abuse alcohol may continue to drink despite the knowledge that their drinking causes them recurrent and significant social, interpersonal, or legal problems.

Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol dependence is a chronic and often progressive disease that includes a strong need to drink despite repeated social or interpersonal problems such as losing a job or deteriorating relationships with friends and family members. Alcohol dependence has a generally predictable course, recognizable symptoms, and is influenced by a complex interplay of genes, psychological factors such as the influence of family members and friends, and the effect of culture on drinking behavior and attitudes. Scientists are increasingly able to define and understand both the genetic and environmental factors that make an individual vulnerable to alcoholism.

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Alcohol: Self Assessment

Drinking Problem Questionnaire

Individual drinking habits may be found on a continuum from responsible drinking through alcohol abuse to alcoholism, or physical dependence. There are many signs that may point to an alcohol problem. Drunkenness per se or solitary drinking does not necessarily indicate alcoholism. A sample of some indicators is listed below. The questionnaire will be meaningful to you only if you are honest with yourself when taking it. The important question is: Is your use of alcohol creating significant negative consequences in your life?

• Do you sometimes drink heavily after a setback or an argument, or when you receive a poor grade?

• When you experience trouble or are undergoing stress, do you always drink more heavily than usual?

• Can you handle more liquor now than you could when you first began drinking?

• Have you ever awakened the "morning after" and found that you could not remember part of the evening before, even though your friends said that you didn't pass out?

• When drinking with others, do you try to have just a few additional drinks when they won't know of it?

• Are there times when you feel uncomfortable if alcohol isn't available?

• Have you noticed lately that when you start drinking you're in more of a hurry to get to the first drink than you used to be?

• Do you sometimes have negative thoughts or feelings about your drinking?

• Are you secretly irritated when your friends or family discuss your drinking?

• Do you often want to keep drinking after your friends have said that they've had enough?

• When you're sober, do you often regret things you have done or said while drinking?

• Have you tried switching brands or following different plans for controlling your drinking?

• Have you often failed to keep promises you have made to yourself about controlling or cutting down on your drinking?

• Do you try to avoid your girlfriend/boyfriend when you are drinking?

• Are you having an increasing number of school, work, or financial problems?

• Do more people seem to be treating you unfairly without good reason?

• Do you eat very little or irregularly when you're drinking?

• Do you sometimes have the "shakes" in the morning and find that it helps to have a drink?

• Have you noticed lately that you cannot drink as much as you once did?

(The above questions are adapted from "The Natural History of Alcoholism", Vallient, 1983.)

If you can answer "yes" to several of these questions, your drinking is causing problems for you and professional consultation can help prevent problems from getting more intense or numerous. Some people resolve to curb their drinking and can do so for a time only to have their alcohol problems persist or reoccur. The drinking habits of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence can become very entrenched. Alcohol misuse may damage any combination of the following areas for a student: interpersonal relationships, psychological health, academic functioning, and physical health. Withdrawal from alcohol for someone who has progressed to physical dependence may require medical involvement.

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Depression

Everyone has or will experience feeling depressed in their lifetime. It is expected that at one time or another, you may feel sad or overwhelmed due to the loss of a friendship, relationship, loved one, or seemingly for no apparent reason at all. At times, however, these feelings of sadness can become overwhelming, intense and prolonged to such an extent that daily functioning can become difficult or even impossible. When this happens, a person is described as "depressed". Depression is a disturbance of mood characterized by varying degrees of sadness, disappointment, feelings of helplessness and an inability to experience pleasure. Depression can be quite pervasive, affecting many or all aspects of your life. In some cases, feelings can become so overwhelming that thoughts of hurting yourself or ending your life may appear to be the only option. The ability to recognize depressive symptoms and/or patterns may be helpful in warding off such severe depression and possibly keep negative events from occurring such as: loss of jobs, academic trouble, or, in more serious circumstances, attempts at hurting oneself.

Symptoms of Depression

Although each person may experience a depressive state differently, here is a list of common symptoms that many people feel when they are depressed:

• changes in feelings
• crying spells of lack of emotional response (i.e. "I just feel numb")
• helplessness and/or hopelessness
• inability to gain pleasure, even from activities that use to feel good
• loss of warm feelings toward family and friends
• feeling like being alone or wanting to isolate
• exaggerated sense of self blame and/or feelings of guilt
• feeling worthless
• loss of sexual desire

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Depression Self-Rating Scale

INSTRUCTIONS: This scale is designed for your personal use. There are no right or wrong answers. Usually your first response is the best. Please print these pages out for your personal reference. If you like, there is also an Anxiety Self-Rating Scale.

Open the Depression Self-Rating Scale

These Self-Rating Scales are for general use only.  If you suspect you might have serious anxiety or depression, we urge you to obtain professional help.

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"Taking the Worry Out of Anxiety"

By Richard Boyum
UW-Eau Claire Counseling Services

 
In the past five years anxiety disorders have shown a large percentage of increase among college students. In most students these difficulties are demonstrated most frequently by generalized anxiety disorder or a panic disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorders manifest themselves through restlessness, difficulty in concentrating or sleeping, irritability, fatigue, and muscle tension. Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder report that these feelings and behaviors occur almost daily, with only intermittent periods of relief. Panic disorders are reoccurrent, and often unexpected, attacks of anxiety that accelerate very rapidly. During a panic attack an individual often feels out of control. Heart palpitations, chest pains, sweating, chills, hot-flashes, trembling, shortness of breath, nausea, light-headedness, feelings of unreality or disassociation, or fear of losing control, or of dying are common symptoms. Individuals in a panic attack are usually unable to focus or concentrate.

Anxiety disorders and panic attacks have a number of causes. There does seem to be a genetic component or predisposition for these types of difficulties. Individuals who experience generalized anxiety disorders or panic attacks generally report having a higher incidence of family backgrounds where similar behaviors, and depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and addictions of various types exist. Panic disorders and generalized anxiety disorders can also be caused by stress overload, sleep-related disturbances, and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Particularly in the case of panic attacks, increasing numbers of individuals report a paradoxical response to marijuana smoking. Rather than relaxing the individual, marijuana smoking can induce increased levels of anxiety and full-blown panic attacks.  

There are a number of ways to deal with generalized anxiety and panic attacks. First, it is really helpful to be assessed by a counselor, or psychologist, or physician. A full evaluation will help pinpoint the difficulties.  Second, medications can be helpful in helping an individual get through anxiety-related difficulties and panic attacks. Antidepressant medication seems to work very effectively in treating anxiety disorders. It takes four to six weeks for the medication to have its full effect. There are also short-acting anti-anxiety medications that are very effective, but they have a downside. Individuals need to be very careful of their alcohol consumption while taking these medications, and these drugs also have an addictive component to them.  Third, counseling can help. Individuals report that when they learn how to rethink various situations, they can gain a greater sense of control over their thought process. Plain and simple, individuals learn not to panic over their panic, or become anxious over their anxiety. The acknowledgment of the feeling and a better understanding of life factors, as well as thought processes that affect anxiety, can make a major difference in how you feel. Counseling is very effective in helping to create this understanding. Fourth, cardiovascular exercise, stretching, weight lifting, and relaxation skills such as yoga are all effective in helping to modify anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Getting rid of the tension, if you exercise, and learning to breathe deeply and relax seem to alter the threshold that allows anxiety or panic to take a hold. While daily relaxation exercises and physical activity are best, many individuals report that activities three to five times a week for 30 to 60 minutes prove to be very helpful. Fifth, life-style reassessment is also an important component of anxiety disorder and panic attack management. Are you doing too much? Are you involved in activities or things that are really unpleasant to you? Is your life headed in the right direction? Are you taking on responsibilities that really belong to somebody else? What is missing in your life? By sitting down and carefully assessing how you live your life and where you are headed, you may be able to more effectively manage your anxiety.

Hopefully, this short paper on anxiety disorders and panic attacks will give you a better understanding of your, or a friend's, situation. Don't worry … anxiety disorders and panic attacks can be both managed and overcome.

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Anxiety Self-Rating Scale

INSTRUCTIONS: This scale is designed for your personal use. There are no right or wrong answers. Usually your first response is the best. Please print these pages out for your personal reference. If you like, there is also a Depression Self-Rating Scale.

Open the Anxiety Self-Rating Scale

These Self-Rating Scales are for general use only.  If you suspect you might have serious anxiety or depression, we urge you to obtain professional help.

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Relationships

KEYS TO A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP?

By Edel Jarboe
 

Self esteem is an important cornerstone of relationships. How well we relate to others has a lot to do with how we feel about ourselves. In other words, self esteem goes hand in hand with happiness. The higher our self esteem the more likely we are to believe that we deserve to be happy. And isn't this what the search for love is all about?  The search for happiness?  

You should begin the quest for romantic love with a clear understanding of the role you play in a relationship. You fall in love with your mate because they reinforce your self esteem. They strengthen your feelings of self worth because they love you for who you are. Notice that I am not saying that your romantic partner gives you self esteem or that being in love creates self esteem. Rather, I am saying that self esteem is your own personal responsibility and not that of the relationship. Healthy self esteem is a necessary requirement if one is to truly find romantic love and lasting happiness.
 

What is healthy self esteem?

Characterized by a positive attitude and faith in your abilities, healthy self esteem is the appreciation of your self and your personal worth. People with a healthy self esteem trust themselves and others, take care of themselves, exercise their independence, have a clear sense of identity, and are capable of real intimacy.

It is important to point out that while self concept has to do with a person's belief system, self esteem is completely focused on a person's feelings of self worth. This is a difficult distinction to make at times because beliefs and feelings are often used interchangeably to describe how we see ourselves. However, the way you feel about yourself does color your belief system. For example, if you feel that you aren't worthy of love, you will consequently believe that every relationship will end in disaster. It will become a self-fulfilling prophecy and you will find yourself with a lot of frogs who will reinforce these feelings of low self worth.
 

Why is self esteem important?

In order to cope with life's challenges and to grow and develop as a human being, you need to feel that you are capable and that you deserve to be happy. A healthy self esteem provides for more effective and creative living strategies. Goal setting is more likely to be successful and decision making skills will be more developed. You have a firm grip on your confidence and believe that you are worthy of whatever goal you are trying to achieve. And when life takes an unexpected turn, healthy self esteem enables you to acknowledge the obstacle and to move past it successfully.

It is also important to note that there seems to be an inverse relationship between healthy self esteem and self-destructive behavior. The higher a person’s self esteem, the less likely they are to engage in behavior that damages or diminishes their self esteem. That is, healthy self esteem would seem to have its own built-in protection mechanism. Thus, a healthy self esteem can improve your quality of life, provide resiliency to setbacks, and protect you from self-destructive behavior. And when it comes to relationships, a healthy self esteem can prevent you from starting or staying in a relationship that is harmful to your feelings of self worth.
 

Do you have a healthy love relationship?

Relationships serve as a mirror of our own self esteem. Sometimes whether or not we are even in a relationship can be seen this way as well. In other words, do you trust yourself to make the best decision when it comes to selecting a partner? And if you are in a relationship, do you trust that this person will not hurt you emotionally? Moreover, the hallmark of a healthy relationship is whether or not it is a nurturing one. Are your needs being met? Do you feel loved and appreciated for who you really are? Is it free of emotional and physical abuse? Another relationship guidepost is autonomy. Does your relationship allow you the freedom to be independent? Are you free to pursue your own interests, dreams, and goals independent of the relationship? A healthy union also allows you to retain your essential identity as you continue to grow, both as an individual and as a couple. And when it comes to intimacy, the first thing that pops into people's minds is sex. This intimate act is often used as a shortcut to intimacy, but in itself it is not real intimacy. True intimacy involves the sharing of minds, bodies, hearts, and souls. It involves emotional closeness, the sharing of one's inner most thoughts and feelings, as well as the physical closeness that making love can bring.
 

Search for Love Wisely

If you are still searching for your soul mate, keep in mind that the healthier your self esteem, the more likely you are to become part of a healthy love relationship. And if you are in a committed relationship, is it a healthy one? If not, with whom does the problem lie? With you or your partner? Pinpoint the source and take steps to either improve or dissolve the relationship. However, if there is a serious deficit, e.g. domestic violence or drug use, you may need professional help in order to deal with it. In either case, whether single or in a relationship, it still comes back to you and your self esteem. You deserve love and happiness and the choice is entirely up to you.

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Healthy Relationship Quiz:

Check off the following attitudes and behaviors that are present in your relationship. Each partner should complete the survey separately. 

• Communication is open and spontaneous (this includes listening).
   
• Rules and boundaries are clear and explicit, yet allow for flexibility.
   
• Individuality, freedom, and personal identity is enhanced.
   
• Each person enjoys doing things for themselves, as well as for the other.
   
• Play, humor, and having fun together is commonplace.
   
• Each does not attempt to "fix" or control the other.
   
• Acceptance of self and other (for our real selves).
   
• Assertiveness: feelings and needs are expressed.
   
• Humility: able to let go of a need to "be right."
   
• Self-confidence and security in one's own worth.
   
• Conflict is faced directly and resolved.
   
• Openness to constructive feedback.
   
• Each is trustful of the other.
   
• Balance of giving and receiving.
   
• Negotiations are fair and democratic.
   
• Tolerance: forgiveness of self and other.
   
• Mistakes are accepted and learned from.
   
• Willingness to take risks and be vulnerable.
   
• Other meaningful relationships and interests exist.
   
• Each can enjoy being alone and privacy is respected.
   
• Personal growth, change and exploration is encouraged.
   
• Continuity and consistency is present in the commitment.
   
• Balance of closeness and separation from each other.
   
• Each takes responsibility for their own behavior and happiness (not blaming each other).

Scoring: Compare your answers with your partner's.  Then, make a list of all the items that neither of you checked. Discuss the importance of these characteristics. If there are several, and you feel they are important, discuss how you can work toward achieving these goals. If you struggle to communicate, or can not agree on important characteristics of a healthy relationship you may consider counseling.

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