Adult Alcohol and Other Drug Use Issues

Alcohol and Drug Problems The overuse or abuse of alcohol (alcoholism) or other drugs is called substance abuse. It is common and costly. It can cause or worsen many medical problems and can destroy families and lives. If you think you may have a problem with drugs or…

Alcohol Abuse and Dependence This topic is about alcohol abuse and dependence in adults. For information about alcohol problems in teens or children, see the topic Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse. For information about drug abuse in adults, see the topic Drug Abuse and…

Drug Abuse and Dependence This topic is about drug abuse and dependence in adults. For information about drug abuse in teens or children, see the topic Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse. For information about alcohol abuse in adults, see the topic Alcohol Abuse and…

Ideas to Help You Cut Back on or Stop Using Alcohol If you think you might be dependent on alcohol, talk with your doctor before trying to stop drinking. If you are dependent on alcohol, you should stop drinking, not just cut back. If you are dependent, you might develop severe withdrawal…

Alcohol Problems: How to Stop Drinking You can take steps today to stop drinking. Your first step might be to see your doctor, contact a support group, or set a date in the near future to stop. While some people can stop drinking on their own, others need medical help to manage the…

Alcohol and Substance Abuse in PTSD After you’ve been through a traumatic event, you may be tempted to use alcohol or drugs as a way to cope. Some people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) try to deal with their symptoms this way. Taking alcohol or drugs to deal with…

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a characteristic pattern of mental and physical birth defects that results due to maternal use of alcohol during pregnancy. The range and severity of associated abnormalities may vary greatly from case to case…

Blood Alcohol A blood alcohol test measures the amount of alcohol (ethanol) in your body. Alcohol is quickly absorbed into the blood and can be measured within minutes of having an alcoholic drink. The amount of alcohol in the blood reaches its highest…

Alcohol and Drug Problems: After Your Visit You can improve your life and health by stopping your use of alcohol or drugs. Ending dependency on alcohol or drugs may help you feel and sleep better and get along better with your family, friends, and coworkers. There are medicines and…

Acute Alcohol Intoxication: After Your Visit You have had treatment to help your body rid itself of alcohol. Too much alcohol upsets the body’s fluid balance, so your doctor may have given you fluids and vitamins. For some people, drinking too much alcohol is a one-time event. For others…

Alcohol Detoxification and Withdrawal: After Your Visit If you drink alcohol regularly and then suddenly stop, you may go through some physical and emotional problems while the alcohol clears out of your system. Clearing the alcohol from your body is called detoxification, or detox. Physical and…