Alcohol use in South Africa is double the world norm, making us a hard-drinking country. It is also the drug of choice for our youth. Between 7.5% and 31.5% of South Africans have an alcohol problem or are at risk of developing one (NDMP 2006-2011)
Alcohol abuse never affects one person – it affects families.
There is hardly a family that hasn’t been touched in some way:
- whether you’re the child of an alcoholic
- or someone who has been punched on a night out,
- the fetal alcohol syndrome baby of an alcoholic mother,
- the abused spouse – there are so many examples.
It is unusual to come across a family where someone hasn’t been affected by alcohol.
What is considered heavy drinking?
Men: 4 or more drinks/day or more than fourteen drinks/week
Women: 3 or more drinks/day or more than seven drinks/week
“About 25% of individuals who surpass these limits already struggle with alcoholism or alcohol abuse, while the remaining 75% are at a higher risk of developing these issues and other related problems. It’s important to note that individual risks vary, and some people may experience difficulties even if they consume less than the recommended limits, particularly if they drink at a rapid pace.”
Alcohol can sometimes have lethal consequences. Even small amounts (bottle of wine per week with odd binges) can cause a baby to have fetal-alcohol syndrome in pregnancy.
Fast facts about alcohol:
- Alcohol is a toxic substance (POISON) to your body.
- The liver can only process one drink per hour.
- Studies show that people who start drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become alcoholics.
- Alcohol abuse in South Africa is linked to about 60% of all crimes committed. It includes rape, robbery, murder, assault, domestic violence, sexual abuse of children and reckless driving.
- It is responsible for over half of all motor vehicle accidents.
- It also leads to unsafe sexual practices, children born with fetal alcohol syndrome and child neglect.
- The levels of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in South Africa are the highest ever recorded (Parry, 2005:426).
- Alcohol affects more than 17.5 million South Africans.
- South Africa consumes 11 litres of alcohol per capita, the most in Africa (NDMP, 2019:29).
- 18-22-year-olds are a group of heaviest abuse.
- Binge drinking among the youth is every day – drinking more than five drinks in one sitting.
Effects of alcohol abuse are: – Appetite changes and weight loss – Eczema – Headaches and sleep disturbance – Poor school and college performance – Failure to form and maintain friendships – Tendency to depression or aggressive behaviour – Greater likelihood of moving on to other drugs More severe complications are: Alcohol abuse can lead to a range of severe health issues, including anaemia, cancer, liver cirrhosis, brain damage, dementia, depression, heart attacks, strokes, gout, seizures, high blood pressure, infectious diseases, nerve damage, and pancreatitis.
Withdrawal from alcohol
When you consume large amounts of alcohol regularly, your body can develop a physical alcohol dependence. If you choose to stop drinking, you may experience distressing symptoms due to alcohol withdrawal.
The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal range from mild to severe and include:
- Shaking/tremors – hands
- Headache
- Sweating /clammy skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Stomach cramps and diarrhoea
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure / fast pulse rate
- Confusion/ hallucinations, delusions, agitation
- Seizures
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms typically emerge around 8 hours after the cessation of drinking, reach their peak within one to two days, and generally subside within five days. It’s worth noting that these symptoms can also manifest days later. Additionally, individuals may continue to experience fatigue and disruptions in sleep or mood for an extended period, sometimes spanning months.
Extreme withdrawal- Delirium Tremens
Delirium Tremens, commonly referred to as DTs, is the most extreme manifestation of alcohol withdrawal. It typically arises within 24 to 72 hours after cessation of alcohol intake, although it can manifest as late as 7 to 10 days after the last drink and endure for up to 10 days. Delirium Tremens is classified as a critical medical emergency with a mortality rate ranging from 5% to 25%, necessitating immediate medical attention.
Alcohol addiction treatment often begins with detoxification at a medical facility such as a hospital with a specialised medical emergency unit. It’s important to note that most rehabilitation centres do not provide care for patients experiencing alcohol withdrawal or symptoms of delirium tremens (DTs) due to the severity of these conditions. Instead, they typically admit patients for rehabilitation after detoxification and stabilisation at a hospital.
The best advice is to take a person who develops withdrawal symptoms to the medical emergency unit of your nearest hospital for evaluation and treatment. Do not try to assist the person at home with home remedies.
Alcohol Poisoning
Binge drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning, which is a severe and life-threatening condition. When a person consumes excessive amounts of alcohol, it can significantly impact their body’s automatic functions, such as breathing and the gag reflex. If the gag reflex is impaired, there is a risk of choking on vomit, which can be fatal. It’s crucial to recognise the dangers of alcohol poisoning and seek help immediately if someone is at risk.
Korsakoff’s syndrome is a neurological disorder typically linked to prolonged, heavy alcohol abuse. While not technically classified as a form of dementia, individuals with this condition commonly encounter significant short-term memory impairments. The syndrome arises from a deficiency of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), resulting in adverse effects on the brain and central nervous system. Those who engage in chronic, excessive alcohol consumption are frequently deficient in thiamine, which can lead to the development of Korsakoff’s syndrome.
A-Z Guide to Alcoholism & Depression
This guide outlines the link between alcoholism and depression. The article explains why this link exists and provides tips for positive change.
https://www.rehab4alcoholism.com/latest-news/a-z-guide-to-alcoholism-depression
Get help
If you want to drink less, decide how many days a week and how many drinks you will have each day. Commit to at least two days a week when you won’t drink. Decide when you want to start drinking less or stop altogether. Setting a specific date —whether tomorrow, in a week, next month, or within six months—can help you reach your goal.
To quit: 1. Get rid of temptations. Consider removing all alcohol, barware, and other drinking reminders from your home and office to create an environment that supports your goals. 2. Announce your goal. Consider informing friends, family, and colleagues about abstaining from drinking. If they consume alcohol, kindly request that they refrain from doing so in your presence to support your recovery. 3. Be upfront about your new limits. ”Please note that my home is alcohol-free, and I may not be able to attend events where alcohol is being served.” 4. Avoid bad influences. It’s important to distance yourself from individuals who don’t support your decision to stop drinking or respect the boundaries you’ve established. It might involve letting go of specific friends and social groups that don’t align with your goals for sobriety. 5. Learn from the past. Reflecting on previous attempts to stop drinking can help understand what worked and what didn’t. If you have a drinking problem that you can’t control, it’s best to try to stop drinking entirely.
How to avoid drinking triggers
• Avoid the things that trigger your urge to drink. If certain people, places, or activities trigger a craving for alcohol, try to avoid them.
• Practice saying “no“ to alcohol in social situations. Prepare for how you’ll respond with a firm yet polite “No thanks.”
Take note of emotional triggers that may cause you to relapse, for example, feelings of depression, tiredness, hunger, anger, boredom, feelings of exclusion, frustration or excitement.
Having a plan for managing your triggers and knowing what specific actions you can take when they arise is essential.
When you’re struggling with alcohol cravings, try these strategies: • Talk to someone you trust. • Distract yourself until the urge passes. Go for a walk, listen to music, do housecleaning, run an errand, or tackle a quick task. • Remind yourself of your reasons for not drinking. • Accept the urge and ride it out instead of trying to fight it. It is known as “urge surfing.“ Think of your craving as an ocean wave that will soon crest, break, and dissipate. When you ride out the craving without trying to battle, judge, or ignore it, you’ll see that it passes more quickly than you’d think
• Lean on close friends and family –Remember, having the backing of friends and family is extremely helpful during recovery. Suppose you feel hesitant about seeking support from your loved ones due to past letdowns. In that case, you might consider couples counselling or family therapy as an alternative. • Build a sober social network – If you used to socialise mainly in settings involving alcohol, it’s essential to establish new connections. Building a supportive network of sober friends is crucial for your recovery journey. Consider enrolling in a class, becoming part of a church or civic group, engaging in volunteer work, or participating in local community events to expand your social circle. • Consider moving into a sober living home – Sober living homes offer a secure and supportive living environment for individuals in recovery from alcohol addiction. They are an excellent choice for those lacking a stable home or an environment free from alcohol. • Make meetings a priority – Consider joining a recovery support group and prioritising regular attendance. Participating in these meetings can provide a sense of solace and understanding, as you’ll be surrounded by individuals who can empathise with your journey. By engaging with fellow group members, you’ll gain valuable insight from their personal stories and discover strategies that have helped them maintain sobriety.
Self-help
Points to consider when making the change are:
- How do you deal with stress?
- Who are your friends?
- How do you spend your free time?
- What do you think about yourself?
For a start:
- Think about your change.
- Keep track of your drug use.
- List the pros and cons of quitting.
- Consider what is important to you – your partner, kids, and career.
- Talk to someone you trust about quitting.
- List things that are preventing you from changing.
Questions to consider:
- Do you feel guilty about your behaviour?
- Do you make promises to stop drinking/drug use?
- Do you find yourself trying to justify the way you think and act?
- Have you given up responsibility for your addiction?
- Do you feel alone, rejected, fearful, angry, guilty or exhausted?
- Did you ever lose time from work or school due to your addiction?
- Do you ever use it alone?
- Do you avoid people or places that do not approve of you using drugs?
- Have you ever tried to stop or control your use?
- Have you ever lied about what or how much you use?
QUIZ:
To learn more about signs & symptoms of alcohol abuse, do a self-test quiz: Alcohol Abuse Quiz
Alcoholics Anonymous
National Helpline: 0861 HELP AA (435-722)*
Images: Pixabay – Free licence
Resources:
Substance Dependency, PTSD and Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) in South Africa by Elca Erlank Read Online on Bookmate. https://bookmate.com/books/QRqntpbo
Withdrawal Symptoms of Alcohol and Drugs | Managing Side Effects. https://www.drugrehab.com/addiction/withdrawal-symptoms/
Binge Drinking (for Teens) – Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego. https://kidshealth.org/RadyChildrens/en/teens/binge-drink.html?WT.ac=t-ra
Dementia – Careline Lifestyles. https://carelinelifestyles.co.uk/types-of-care/dementia
Overcoming Alcohol Addiction – HelpGuide.org. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/overcoming-alcohol-addiction.htm/
Prepare for Detox: 5 Things To Do Before You’re Admitted. https://newstartrecovery.com/rehab-blog/5-things-to-do-to-prepare-for-detox/