Alcohol Assessment

Alcohol Assessment To Determine The Need For Medical Intervention

Patients who suffer from alcohol use disorder (AUD) have a higher risk of losing control over when or how much you drink. They may also feel restless and irritable when they are not able to drink alcohol and have a tendency to continue using alcohol even when it begins to affect their health adversely.
Hence, there is a need for an alcohol assessment so that appropriate medical intervention can be recommended to the patient.

What is an alcohol assessment? 
The first step to receiving proper treatment for alcoholism is to recognize and accept that you have an alcohol use disorder. Most people find it difficult to escape the addiction as they are in denial about the true nature and extent of their alcohol intake. However, if you want to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life, gaining independence from alcohol addiction is vital.

An alcohol assessment could be the first step towards this goal. Here are some symptoms that indicate a higher intensity of alcohol addiction and the need for prompt medical treatment.

Waking up at night 
If you wake up at night frequently to pass urine, it could be due to the increased consumption of alcohol.

Our body produces an anti-diuretic hormone that induces the kidneys to produce less volume of urine at night so that you do not have to go to the toilet frequently. However, alcohol can suppress the secretion of the anti-diuretic hormone, making your kidneys produce more urine due to which you have to get up at night frequently. [1]

Dryness 
Alcohol can dehydrate the body causing dryness of the skin and eyes. If you experience dry patches over your eyes the next morning, it could be a sign of excessive consumption. [2]

Poor sleep patterns 
Alcohol can interfere with the quality and duration of your sleep. It may prevent you from falling asleep causing an increase in the sleep latency period.
It can also prevent you from entering the deep phase of sleep called the REM phase. As a result, you will wake up feeling unrefreshed and drowsy. [3]

Impaired memory 
Alcohol can impact the cognitive functions of the brain. When consumed in excess, it may also affect your ability to recall any information or new skills you have learned. It can reduce your short-term memory to a great extent. [4]

Blackouts are also a common phenomenon linked to excessive alcohol consumption. Most heavy drinkers tend to lose track of what happened the previous night once they sober up. If you experience these symptoms frequently, there is a need to undergo proper medical treatment and counseling for alcohol addiction. [5]

Conclusion
An Alcohol assessment by a doctor can help you determine the extent of alcohol addiction or dependence. This will give you an idea of the amount or frequency of alcohol you consume, its adverse impact on your life, and how it has affected your personal life, career, and general well-being.

It will help you take the right steps toward alcohol treatment and improve the chances of successful outcomes.  Call us at 281-849-4080 to schedule an alcohol assessment with one of our board certified psychiatrists.

​References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826793/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5075667/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2775419/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15303630/
5. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/alcohol-abuse-self-test#1