What is alcohol dependence?
Alcohol Dependence is the most serious drinking problem. Usually, people have difficulty controlling the desire to drink. People who become physically dependent often drink every day and need to maintain this to prevent becoming unwell.
What causes alcohol dependence?
Excessive drinking over long periods will increase physical tolerance to alcohol. The body then depends on the alcohol to function. Once this occurs the person is likely to experience withdrawal symptoms if their alcohol intake suddenly reduces. It can be prevented from occurring by sticking to government guidelines of 14 units per week.
How is it diagnosed?
There is no specific way to diagnose alcohol dependency. Alcohol teams in hospital and community services can complete an assessment of alcohol intake, health and social situation to make a diagnosis. However, if a person does experience physical alcohol withdrawal symptoms they will be diagnosed as alcohol dependent.
What is alcohol withdrawal?
Withdrawal symptoms can be physical and psychological, and range in severity from mild to severe. Milder symptoms usually start within 6 to 24 hours from the last alcoholic drink. Severe symptoms can escalate to delirium tremors and seizures which in some cases can be life threatening. Approximately one in ten people with alcohol withdrawal syndrome have experienced seizures. If medical help is not accessed up to one in three of these patients go on to experience delirium tremens.
Common Symptoms
- Sweating
- Tremor (the shakes)
- A pulse rate above 100 beats per minute
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Hallucinations
Self Help
If you are concerned you or somebody close to you might be dependent on alcohol, you should seek advice to help you reduce safely. Whilst waiting for support you could start yourself by reducing 10% of your usually daily units every two to three days. However, it is still important to access community support as without professional interventions people are likely to relapse.
Risks of Not Accessing Treatment
If people continue to drink excessive amounts of alcohol they are at risk of a range of long term physical & psychological health problems. These include liver disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, various cancers and mental health problems.
Hospital Management
If a person attends hospital with Alcohol withdrawal symptoms they may not be admitted depending on overall health and severity of symptoms. They may be given advice to drink alcohol to manage the symptoms then safely reduce with support of community services. If the person is admitted to hospital they will commence on a symptom triggered process. This means they will be administered medication based on severity of symptoms from an assessment. This medication will help to control symptoms and prevent them from worsening over time.
Discharge Advice
If you have completed medically assisted withdrawal, professionals will advise you it is safe to not drink any alcohol. It is important you realise you will remain sensitive to alcohol. Even if you plan to drink to a low level your high tolerance can come back within a few days, and you could return to dependency.
Local Support
Wear Recovery
Alcohol & Drug recovery support for Sunderland or Washington residents only.
Alcoholic Anonymous
Various locations & times available
Smart Recovery
Charity focused on choice in recovery. They offer mutual-aid meetings.
BASIS
Basis Gateshead drop-in homeless service
Aquila House
Warwick St
Gateshead
NE8 1PZ
Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team
Support in a Mental Health Crisis
Gateshead Recovery Partnership
Alcohol & Drug recovery support for Gateshead residents only.
Anxious Minds
North East support & counselling services for people struggling with Substance use & mental health.
Newcastle Treatment and Recovery
Alcohol & Drug recovery support for residents of Newcastle.
South Tyneside Adult Recovery Service
Alcohol & Drug recovery support for residents of South Tyneside.