Recently the spotlight has focused on women and alcohol. To be a woman suffering from a drinking problem in Anguilla is a lonely enterprise, defined by stigma and judgment – and that is tragic. It appears that women in Anguilla are drinking more than ever before, and they are suffering the consequences in sharply rising numbers.
Alcohol and its abuse
Alcoholism is a chronic and often progressive disease that includes problems controlling drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol, continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems, having to drink more to get the same effect (physical dependence), or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking. If you have alcoholism, you cannot consistently predict how much you will drink, how long you will drink, or what consequences will occur from your drinking.
It is possible to have a problem with alcohol even when it has not progressed to the point of alcoholism. Problem drinking means you drink too much at times, causing repeated problems in your life, although you are not completely dependent on alcohol.
If you have alcoholism, or you have a problem with alcohol, you may not be able to cut back or quit without help. Denying that you have a problem is usually part of alcoholism and other types of excessive drinking. This is why close friends and relatives must take proactive actions to help individuals they feel are suffering from alcoholism or alcohol dependency.
Alcohol and women
It has been shown that women are more vulnerable than men to the toxic effects of alcohol: their bodies have more fat, and less water, than men’s. Fat retains alcohol, and water dilutes it, so women drinking the same amount as men who are evenly matched in size and weight become drunk more quickly, and stay intoxicated longer. Women also make less of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase which breaks down alcohol before it hits the bloodstream. The exact cause of alcoholism is not known, but alcoholism is influenced by genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors that have an impact on how alcohol affects your body and behaviour.
What type of women abuse alcohol?
Almost all types of women can abuse alcohol and become alcoholics. All levels of society are affected from the very rich to the very poor, the educated and non-educated and even Christian and other strongly religious women.
Alcohol and health complications
Health problems caused by excessive drinking can include:
• Liver disease. Heavy drinking can cause alcoholic hepatitis — an inflammation of the liver. After years of heavy drinking, hepatitis may lead to irreversible destruction and scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis).
• Digestive problems. Heavy drinking can result in inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), as well as stomach and esophageal ulcers. It also can interfere with absorption of B vitamins and other nutrients. Heavy drinking can damage the pancreas — which produces hormones that regulate metabolism and enzymes that help digestion — and lead to inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
• Heart problems. Excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure and increases your risk of an enlarged heart, heart failure or stroke.
• Diabetes complications. Alcohol interferes with the release of glucose from your liver and can increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is dangerous if you have diabetes and are already taking insulin to lower your blood sugar level.
• Menstruation problems. In women heavy use of alcohol can interrupt menstruation.
• Eye problems. Over time, heavy drinking can cause involuntary rapid eye movement (nystagmus) as well as weakness and paralysis of eye muscles due to a deficiency of vitamin B-1 (thiamine).
• Birth defects. Alcohol use during pregnancy may cause fetal alcohol syndrome, resulting in giving birth to a child who has physical and developmental problems that last a lifetime.
• Bone loss. Alcohol may interfere with the production of new bone. This can lead to thinning bones (osteoporosis) and an increased risk of fractures.
• Neurological complications. Excessive drinking can affect your nervous system, causing numbness and pain in your hands and feet, disordered thinking, dementia and short-term memory loss.
• Weakened immune system. Excessive alcohol use can make it harder for your body to resist disease, making you more susceptible to illnesses.
• Increased risk of cancer. Long-term excessive alcohol use has been linked to a higher risk of many cancers, including mouth, throat, liver, colon and breast cancer. Even moderate drinking can increase the risk of breast cancer.
Other consequences of excessive alcohol
These include the following:
• Alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents are a major cause of deaths.
• Alcohol is often a cause in other deaths, including drowning, suicides and homicides.
• Individuals who are constantly under the influence of alcohol have been shown to have sex more frequently, engage in risky, unprotected sex, and become victims of sexual abuse or date rape compared with those who do not drink.
Treatment
Many women with alcoholism hesitate to get treatment because they do not recognise they have a problem. An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognise and accept that they need professional help. If you are concerned about a friend or family member who drinks too much, talk to a professional for advice on how to approach that person.
Various treatments may help. Depending on the circumstances, treatment may involve a brief intervention, individual or group counseling, an outpatient programme or a residential inpatient stay.
The first step is to determine if you have a problem with alcohol. If you have not lost control over your use of alcohol, treatment may involve reducing your drinking. If you have become addicted, simply cutting back is ineffective. Working to stop the use of alcohol to improve quality of life is the main treatment goal. There are many aspects to treating alcohol abuse and dependency. Psychological counseling is important but there are a variety of treatment options now available for the treatment of this disorder. Talk to your healthcare provider for further assistance.
Conclusion
The number of women in Anguilla abusing alcohol appears to be increasing at alarming rates. Many women are not aware they are dependent on alcohol or are suffering from alcoholism. The stigma associated with this disease is believed to be hampering women from seeking professional help. Friends and relatives are encouraged to take measures so that these affected women get the appropriate treatment. The consequences of alcoholism can be deadly. Get help today!
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
