Question 1

how to know if some of us are prone to drug addiction and alcohol dependence?

Accepted Answer

Drug and alcohol : Addictions tend to have a strong hereditary component as well as a learned behavior. If you have grown up in a family  that has a tendency to have drug and alcohol problems be cautious and pay attention to your drinking.

Question 2

are some of us more prone than others to drug addiction and alcohol dependence?

Accepted Answer

Drug, alcohol addict: Some of us have adverse reaction to pain medications or alcohol use, while others find one or both extremely pleasurable, thus reinforcing continued and repeated use. These are due to differences in the chemistry of the brain, often a genetic effect. If others in your family have addictions, better to not try these substances, as risk an addiction!

Question 3

how can i medically help me with my alcohol dependence?

Accepted Answer

Thiamine: Alcohol causes thiamine deficiency (so does sugar). Get rid of sugar in all its different forms and take some large doses of thiamine like 100 mg 3 times a day and a supplement of magnesium + a multivitamin.  You can get them at the healh food store.

Question 4

is there anything you can take to end alcohol dependence?

Accepted Answer

No: But, there are excellent treatments. I often prescribe a medication called Antabuse (disulfiram) for my patients with drinking problems. It works by making the person very sick if they drink while it's in their system. There are two other medications indicated for alcohol dependence-naltrexone and campral. Sadly, there is no cure. It's one day at a time.

Question 5

developing alcohol dependence on a glass a day. should i stop?

Accepted Answer

Not really: A person cannot become dependent on a glass per day. Unless of course it is a very large glass. How much are we talking? One to two "beverage alcohol equivalents" per day are not usually harmful nor dependence producing. One beverage alcohol equivalent is one 4 ounce glass of wine, one 12 ounce beer or one ounce of whiskey or liquor.

Question 6

how can i tell if i'm experiencing alcohol dependence / addiction?

Accepted Answer

Check symptoms: These terms are used interchangeably     
alcohol dependence occurs when you have to take higher doses to get the same effect and you develop withdrawal symptoms when you quit "cold turkey"
addiction is the case when you have major areas in your life negatively being impacted and you are still not able to stop.

Question 7

what is the medical definition of alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse?

Accepted Answer

Addiction: Alcohol can be robustly abused by someone but as long as the person is not addicted to it, and doesn't miss it after putting it down, the diagnosis is alcohol abuse. If, however, the person feels either physically or psychologically addicted/dependent on it and either cannot go a day without it, or binge drinks uncontrollably the diagnosis is alcohol dependence.

Question 8

i have drank alcohol while having paxil (paroxetine) in my system. can this have any adverse effects?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: Usually taking ssri meds such as Paxil (paroxetine) does not have serious adverse effects when combined with alcohol. However, Paxil (paroxetine) can increase your risk for bleeding, so if you do drink excessively, take blood thinners, Aspirin or nsaids be careful. If you are taking Paxil (paroxetine) for depression,  then alcohol can make your depression worse. It is best to avoid it as much as you can when taking this med.

Question 9

how are alcoholism and alcohol dependence different?

Accepted Answer

They are one in the: Same. When you become dependent on alcohol, i.e., addicted to alcohol, you suffer from alcoholism.

Question 10

what's the difference between alcoholism and alcohol dependence?

Accepted Answer

They're the same: I have heard it said that only the person with alcohol dependency can call themselves an alcoholic. They both mean the same thing and involve a loss of control of alcohol in a person's life associated with impaired functioning. There are effective treatments available.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Alcohol dependence meds adverse effects

A member asked:

How to know if some of us are prone to drug addiction and alcohol dependence?

A member asked:

Are some of us more prone than others to drug addiction and alcohol dependence?

A member asked:

How can i medically help me with my alcohol dependence?

A member asked:

Is there anything you can take to end alcohol dependence?

A member asked:

Developing alcohol dependence on a glass a day. should i stop?

A member asked:

How can i tell if i'm experiencing alcohol dependence / addiction?

A member asked:

What is the medical definition of alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse?

A member asked:

I have drank alcohol while having paxil (paroxetine) in my system. can this have any adverse effects?

A member asked:

How are alcoholism and alcohol dependence different?

A member asked:

What's the difference between alcoholism and alcohol dependence?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?