Alcohol Abuse Risk Factors

Patient Handouts

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Alcohol Abuse Risk Factors

Alcohol abuse means that your use of alcohol harms your mental or physical health, or gets in the way of work or relationships. Certain factors increase your risk of abusing alcohol. They affect when you drink, how you drink, and how likely you are to abuse alcohol. These risk factors include:

getting peer pressure from friends, coworkers, or dates
being a teenager who may be impulsive at times
having attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
having family members or friends who drink regularly, drink too much, or are dependent on alcohol
being depressed or anxious
having abused other substances in the past
using alcohol to reduce stress
thinking that it is all right to drink because alcohol is legal and available, and because "a little bit doesn't hurt"
believing that alcohol reduces pain
believing that alcohol helps sleep.

When you drink alcohol regularly, it changes how your body works. Your liver processes the alcohol faster. You need to drink more to keep the same amount of alcohol in the blood. Your brain cells also require more to produce the desired behavior or emotional effects.

Alcohol has the following effects on the body:

causes problems with short-term memory, eye movement, and walking
slows your reaction time
reduces anxiety and gives a relaxed feeling
widens the blood vessels
increases the acid in your stomach
makes you urinate more.

If you suspect that your drinking might be turning into a problem, ask yourself these 3 questions:

Am I drinking more than I used to?
Once I start drinking, am I sometimes unable to stop?
Do I get irritated when I am in a place where I can't drink?

Answering "yes" to even one of these questions suggests that you are at risk for alcohol dependence. Ask your healthcare provider for advice. Or check your phone book for nearby alcohol and drug treatment centers.

For more information, contact:

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
P.O. Box 459
New York, NY 10163
212-870-3400

Web sites:

Mental Health America (formerly NMHA)
1-800-969-6642