About alcohol
Alcohol is a part of our Australian way of life. We have a drink to celebrate an event, to socialise or to relax at the end of the working week. For most of us, alcohol is not an issue. For others it can be the cause of social disconnection and personal or health problems.
Alcohol abuse is the overuse of alcohol which may result in negative health and personal consequences. People who are abusing alcohol do not experience physical withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking, but may be weekend ‘binge drinkers’. Alcohol dependence includes cravings and usually physically requiring alcohol, with negative health and personal consequences. Long-term consequences are also far more common in alcohol dependence.
Alcohol abuse and dependence is an illness, affecting the physical and mental health of the problem drinker. Large numbers of Australians are affected by alcohol addiction, and these negative effects are felt not only by those with a drinking problem but also by their families.
Effects of alcohol abuse and dependence
The harmful consequences of alcohol can have a wide-reaching impact on physical, emotional, mental, behavioural and spiritual life.
The consequences of alcohol abuse and dependence on health
The consequences of alcohol abuse and dependence on personal life
- relationship difficulties
- family conflict, including arguments about drinking
- problems at work
- financial loss
- lack of self-esteem
- decline in basic living skills
- inability to contain your emotions and define boundaries.
The long-term consequences of alcohol abuse and dependence
- diabetes
- depression
- dementia
- stroke
- cancer
- cirrhosis of the liver
- decline in quality of life.
