| Submit your comments on this article |
| Down Under |
| Experts warn against going cold turkey |
| 2008-12-30 |
| Bummer! there goes my New Years resolution. GIVING up alcohol can have serious side effects and people should find out if they are dependent on drink before going cold turkey in the New Year, rehabilitation experts warn. Figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show that one in 10 Australians consume alcohol at levels harmful to health in the long term, while one in five consume alcohol once a month or more at levels considered to be harmful in the short term. Odyssey House NSW chief executive officer James Pitts said people with an alcohol dependency could suffer serious withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, convulsions, cramps, vomiting, delusions and hallucinations. Even in less severe cases, alcohol withdrawal could lead to tremors, sweating, nausea, confusion, irritability or anxiety, he said. "While giving up alcohol is an admirable New Year's resolution, withdrawing from any drug you're dependent on, including alcohol, can have serious health consequences if it's not managed properly,'' he said. "The real danger is that many people don't realise they are dependent on alcohol and may not seek advice from a healthcare professional before stopping drinking. "We urge anyone who is concerned or even just curious about their alcohol use to visit the Odyssey House website to take an anonymous five-minute test that will show whether they are drinking at risky levels and might need help to stop drinking safely.'' Mr Pitts said the test was used by healthcare practitioners worldwide and allowed people to find out instantly if they had a problem by answering 13 multiple choice questions. He said it was free, but people were asked to make a donation to help fund Odyssey House's work helping more than 800 people each year with drug and alcohol problems. "Alcohol misuse is taking hold of Australian society like never before and Odyssey House now treats more people for alcohol than for illicit drugs,'' he said. "While we don't know the exact causes, people may be turning to alcohol to drown their sorrows or using it as a legal drug to self-medicate their problems.'' |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #9 true story in 1985 i was refereed by court for evaluation for drug and alcohol dependency. testing to be done at a local treatment facility. we sat down and they asked about 15-20 questions. at the end, the lady told me she was going to advise the court that it was her professional opinion that i receive treatment at her facility. i answered " well Duh... like there was any way you would have possibly not suggested i come and be forced to pay you the big bucks for your 'treatment'" she and i argued for a few minutes, and eventually just to prove me wrong, she advised the court that no treatment was required. |
| Posted by: Abu do you love 2008-12-30 23:55 |
| #8 whahahha, that it is Ebbaing, that it is. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2008-12-30 16:53 |
| #7 I think that's dawdling service but please don't break my nose for saying so. Gotta love Robert Duvall. If he says to have a drink I'm having a drink. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2008-12-30 16:50 |
| #6 Give it up if you will, but don't tollerate doddling SERVICE! |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2008-12-30 16:28 |
| #5 Umm, I never though of it that way. No wonder they though I was a dangerous brigand. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2008-12-30 15:01 |
| #4 bigjim, see, the problem is you admit to drinking at night. See, I only admit to drinking during daylight hours. It's much safer, since I am less likely to trip over the bottles and cans on my way to the bathroom than I am after 8 pm. Safety first, baby!! ;) |
| Posted by: Cornsilk Blondie 2008-12-30 13:10 |
| #3 Bigjim sounds as though you personally know this...... |
| Posted by: Beavis 2008-12-30 12:12 |
| #2 I like cold Turkey. The Rare Breed 101. Stick it in the freezadator for 30 minutes and it's great. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2008-12-30 12:06 |
| #1 If it's like most tests of its kind there is no way to answer that clears you of alcohol dependency. Its like getting a DUI and going to the 'evaluation' session, there is no way you are going to not get labeled an alcoholic if you have more than 3 drinks a week. Tell them you drink 5 or 6 drinks a night sometimes and watch them begin to salivate. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2008-12-30 11:59 |