Browse Conditions: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Preventing Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Realizing that alcohol causes problems helps some people avoid it. Suggestions to decrease the risk of alcohol abuse and dependence include:

Socialize without alcohol.
Avoid going to bars.
Do not keep alcohol in your home.
Avoid situations and people that encourage drinking.
Make new nondrinking friends.
Do fun things that do not involve alcohol.
Avoid reaching for a drink when stressed or upset.
Limit your alcohol intake to a moderate level.
- Moderate is two or fewer drinks per day for men and one or fewer for women and older adults
- A 12-ounce bottle of beer, a five-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor is considered one drink

Most professionals who treat alcohol abuse and dependence believe that complete abstinence is the only effective “prevention.”

RESOURCES:

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
http://www.ncadd.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.aacanada.com/

Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html

References:

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. Text Revision. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000.

Dambro M, Griffith JA. Griffith's 5-Minute Clinical Consult . Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2006.

Data/Statistical Tables. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism website. Available at: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/ . Accessed June 15, 2008.

Goroll AH, Mulley AG. Primary Care Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2000.

JAMA patient page: Benefits and dangers of alcohol. JAMA . 1999;281(No.1).

JAMA patient page: Do you have a drinking problem? JAMA . 1999;281(No.14).

National epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions. Alcohol Alert (No. 70). National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism website. Available at: http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA70/AA70.htm . Accessed February 19, 2007.

*10/25/2007 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Johnson BA, Rosenthal N, Capece JA, et al. Topiramate for treating alcohol dependence: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2007;298:1641-1651.

Last reviewed March 2008 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Talk about it in the:
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Support Group

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