With alcohol so readily available and having that drink at the end of the day being so normal, have we become complacent to the risks of addiction?
Binge drinking is becoming an epidemic in the UK with alcohol related harm costing England £21bn per year, £3.5bn of which is directly to the NHS. People being admitted to hospital having had one too many is causing a real strain on the resources, with addicts being over looked at as problematic patients and the access to alcohol rehab being incredibly limited.
Giving up alcohol can be incredibly tough. The disease of alcoholism is progressive and that drink at the end of the day can quickly lead to binging which can quickly lead on to physical dependency.
A maximum of 14 units per week should be drunk on a regular basis…
…Binge drinkers can consume this weekly allowance is one go.
The worst thing is, very few people actually know how much 1 unit of alcohol is. It is a considerable amount less than you would imagine!
Single shot of spirits (25ml) = 1 unit
Half a pint of larger (250ml) = 1 unit
Approximately half a small glass of ‘12% ABV’ wine (76ml) = 1 unit
The drink driving limit on the amount of units that can be consumed is majorly disputed as well. Simply, the amount of units you can consume if you are planning on driving would drastically vary dependent on your height, weight, sex and age. With the maximum limit being measured as 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
Have you ever asked yourself, Am I a binge drinker?
Binge drinking is measured by the amount of units consumed in one session. For a man anything more than 8 units in one sessions is considered binging, and for a woman the limit is 6 units.
That’s approximately 3 double vodkas/ 1 bottle of wine/ 3 pints of beer.
This might really not sound like a lot, with people often indulging in several drinks on a regular basis. This is what is most frightening about alcohol addiction.
The progressive disease of alcoholism alongside our natural tolerance that builds if these drinking sessions are regular can see the amount of alcohol consumed in one session gradually creeping up until it becomes out of control.
Physical dependency to alcohol can begin with very mild withdrawals following a binge or ‘a heavy night out’. Withdrawals generally start with sweats or mild shakes, something that many would blame on their hangover. Over time these can progress to more serious withdrawals such as seizures.
Once physically dependent on alcohol, the ONLY safe way to stop drinking is by having a medical detox which would normally be carried out in a residential rehab.
Have you ever asked yourself, Am I an alcoholic?
It is very important to be aware of the risk around alcohol and not to become complacent with drinking. In reality if you have to ask if you have a problem with alcohol…
… you probably do.
Need to know how to stop drinking?
Call Help4Addiction today on 0203 955 7700
www.help4addiction.co.uk
