Alcohol Problems : From Abuse to Recovery

By Dr Sabry Fattah

Alcohol problems have a damaging impact on the health and mind of the alcoholic and his family. This book explains how alcohol affects the alcohol dependent, from the medical and psychological and social aspects. It starts with problem drinking and how we sometimes lose control.
This book is written by a psychiatrist who treated alcoholic patients and addiction sufferers for many years. The book will examine the story of alcohol, and answer some questions which come to mind, such as:
- How does alcohol affect the body and mind?
- Why do some people become alcoholics while others remain sober? Why do some have drinking problems while others maintain sensible drinking habits?
- What are the signs of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence? When does a drinker become an alcoholic?
- What are the tests used to identify alcoholism, alcohol problems and if the alcoholic has returned to drinking?
- What treatments are available for alcoholism?
- What is the role of detoxification? What are the drugs used for withdrawal and abstinence? What is the role of rehabilitation, counselling, psychotherapy, and self-help groups like AA in overcoming alcohol problems?
- What is the outcome of those treatments?
- And how we can prevent relapse into drinking again? What is the role of the family of the alcoholic?

Medical and psychological management measures have helped many alcoholics to stop. Treatments available (drugs, psychotherapy, counselling and self-help groups like AA) are detailed here on the way to recovery.

This book will be a great help for those trying to overcome their drinking problem, for friends or family of alcoholics who wish to know what they can do to help and support them. The book will show the way out of Alcohol Dependence through available management facilities and services: medical, psychological and social.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr Sabry Fattah
• Release date: Nov 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201997977

Dr Sabry Fattah

د. صبري عبد الفتاح يعمل استشاري للطب النفسي في انجلترا . تدرب ومارس الطب النفسي بإنجلترا منذ عام1990 وحصل على زمالة الكلية الملكية البريطانية للأطباء النفسيين ودرس بجامعة لندن وأجري ونشرأبحاث بجامعة ادنبره باسكتلندا وهو حاليا مقيم بالمملكة المتحدة.

Book preview

Alcohol Problems

From Abuse to Recovery

Dr Sabry Fattah, MRCPsych

Published by Sabry Fattah

Copyright@2020 Sabry Fattah

All Rights Reserved

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

The Story of Alcohol

The Problems of Alcohol

Effects of Alcohol on the Brain

Harmful Effects on the Body

Types of Alcohol Problems

Identifying the Alcoholic

Why Some People get Dependent?

Treatment Options

Outcome of Treatment

Disclaimer

INTRODUCTION

Alcohol is a part of our culture. In many countries, whether for celebration or dinner, there is a good reason for a drink. A round of beer among friends ensures a good mood and good time. In moderation, drinking alcohol is a booster for social interactions. But there is another side of drinking alcohol, in which people can fall in very quickly, without realizing the danger. Consuming alcohol in excess can have detrimental effects on health, lives, and society. People can thus ignore the risk of excessive drinking; as they lose control of their alcohol consumption.

Alcohol dependence can lead to considerable problems and damage. It is a cause of premature death. It costs countries a good part of their budget in the form of loss of work hours, accidents, injuries and health care for the alcoholics. The problem is that the effect of alcohol is often perceived as positive.

The pleasurable effects of alcohol increase the likelihood that the substance will be consumed again. The positive effects can be striking so that the intake can no longer be controlled. The result is abuse and dependency on alcohol. Alcohol problems have a direct relationship with psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression or anxiety problems. Personality disorders and alcohol abuse are linked in various ways. When alcohol is abused, troubles arise from the failure of social obligations. People with personality disorders face relationships problems which is also a consequence. Alcoholism may worsen the life of someone with a personality disorder, that is more likely than others to drink heavily.

Drinking alcohol can lead to significant health problems. More people are dying each year from alcohol-related illnesses. Memory loss, dementia, stomach ulcer, heart failure, and cancer can be some of the effects of alcoholism. The worst that can happen is death from suicide after alcohol consumption in a person; who suffers from depression or other mental conditions.

A combination of medical care and psychological support is available for the worst affected. Drinking within reasonable limits can minimize the harm and damage. Alcohol intake should be taken seriously to avoid the dangers of abuse to self and other people.

The current book is about the problem of alcohol dependence. It is written by a psychiatrist who has worked with people trying to set themselves free from addiction to alcohol. I have seen the damaging effects of alcohol on families, careers, and most aspects of the alcoholic's life. It was sad and shocking to see some drinkers take their own life under the influence of alcohol, despite all the efforts to help them get out of this abyss. I took steps to help the alcohol-dependent along with professional teams involved in ongoing care and rehabilitation. Many of those patients overcame the perils of addiction and avoided a relapse into the habit. My work with alcoholics made me fully aware of the scope and impact of this problem on health, physical and psychological, on the alcoholic family, his career, and social relations.

Community wise, alcohol-related problems have a toll on the economy of our country. We have to recall the loss of work hours, accidents at work, on streets, at homes and occasionally disability or loss of life because of such accidents. The economic effects on society in the form of cost to the health service are significant, amounting to billions of dollars.

This book will examine the story of alcohol; and answer some questions which come to mind, such as:

- How does it affect the body and mind?

- Why do some people become victims of the habit and lose control over their drinking, while others maintain healthy drinking habits and remain sober?

- What are the signs of abuse and dependence?

- What treatment options are available? 

- What is the outcome of those treatments?

- And how we can prevent relapse into drinking again?

This book may help those who are about to fall into that snare of addiction. Those who are trying to overcome a drinking problem may find it helpful. Others who have friends or relatives with an alcohol problem may wish to know what they can do to help and support them. I aim to provide support, to explain and give hope. The book will try to show the way out of the pit through available management venues and solutions: medical, psychological and