If you are a nondrinker, you should not start drinking only to benefit your heart. Protection against coronary heart disease may be obtained through regular physical activity and a low-fat diet. And if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, have been diagnosed as alcoholic or have any medical condition that could make alcohol use harmful, you should not drink.

Even for those who can drink safely and choose to do so, moderation is the key. Heavy drinking can actually increase the risk of heart failure, stroke and high blood pressure, as well as cause many other medical problems, such as liver cirrhosis.

If I am taking over-the-counter or prescription medication, do I have to stop drinking?
Possibly. More than 100 medications interact with alcohol, leading to increased risk of illness, injury and, in some cases, death. The effects of alcohol are increased by medicines that slow down the central nervous system, such as sleeping pills, antihistamines, antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs and some painkillers. In addition, medicines for certain disorders, including diabetes and heart disease, can be dangerous if used with alcohol. If you are taking any over-the-counter or prescription medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you can safely drink alcohol.

Does alcoholism co-exist with other physical or mental disorders?
Here are facts about the co-occurrence of depression with medical psychiatric and substance abuse disorders.

Depression is a common, serious and costly illness that affects one in ten adults in the U.S. Each year, it costs the nation between $30 - 44 billion annually and causes impairment, suffering and disruption of personal, family and work life.

Though a majority of depressed people can be effectively treated, two out of three of those suffering from this illness do not seek or receive appropriate treatment.

Of particular significance, depression often co-occurs with medical, psychiatric and/or substance abuse disorders. When this happens, the presence of both illnesses is frequently unrecognized and may lead to serious and unnecessary consequences for patients and families.

Proper diagnosis and treatment of co-occurring depression may bring substantial benefits to the patient through improved medical status, enhanced quality of life, a reduction in the degree of pain and disability, and improved treatment compliance and cooperation.
How can you tell whether you or someone close to you has an alcohol problem?

A self assessment test can be taken on this site if you are unsure. Here are examples, which exhibit that substance abuse may be a problem:

• Increased absenteeism at work, especially on Mondays.

• Family problems--arguments due to changing of personalities.

• Not completing jobs and duties around the house.

• More frequent use when driving, operating equipment, etc.

• DUIs, possession charges

• Continues to use the chemicals even though some serious consequences have occurred due to the drinking.

Are there any medications for alcoholism?
Yes. Two different types of medications are commonly used to treat alcoholism. The first are tranquilizers called benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium®, Librium®), which are used only during the first few days of treatment to help patients safely withdraw from alcohol.

A second type of medication is used to help people remain sober. A recently approved medicine for this purpose is naltrexone (ReVia™). When used together with counseling, this medication lessens the craving for alcohol in many people and helps prevent a return to heavy drinking. Another older medication is disulfiram (Antabuse®), which discourages drinking by causing nausea, vomiting and other unpleasant physical reactions when alcohol is used.

Does alcoholism treatment work?
Alcoholism treatment is effective in many cases. Studies show that a minority of alcoholics remain sober one year after treatment, while others have periods of sobriety alternating with relapses. Still others are unable to stop drinking for any length of time. Treatment outcomes for alcoholism compare favorably with outcomes for many other chronic medical conditions. The longer one abstains from alcohol, the more likely one is to remain sober.

It is important to remember that many people relapse once or several times before achieving long-term sobriety. Relapses are common and do not mean that a person has failed or cannot eventually recover from alcoholism. If a relapse occurs, it is important to try to stop drinking again and to get whatever help is needed to abstain from alcohol. Ongoing support from family members and others can be important in recovery.

Disease Information Sources: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).