Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use/Abuse

What are the Health and Human Consequences of Substance Abuse?

Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs bring a major toll on our society. Individuals struggling with addiction to those drugs and the individuals around them suffer enormously.In fact, tobacco is the top and alcohol the third (after poor diet and physical inactivity) cause of mortality in our society. Tobacco causes lung cancer in smokers and to their loved ones exposed to the smoke, as well as range of respiratory and other diseases. Alcohol is associated with more than 60 acute and chronic conditions, including poisoning, car crashes, violence, suicide, crime, cancers, cirrhosis, hemorrhagic strokes, and neuropsychiatric conditions. Even though some health benefits have been associated with alcohol use, those are limited to individuals who drink small quantities, and the net effect of alcohol on health is negative. In addition, America is facing a growing epidemic, the rise of prescription drug abuse (in particular pain killers) which has been associated with a dramatic increase in emergency room visits and deaths by overdose.

From the New York Times on April 19, 2011: “Tuesday, the Obama administration announced plans to fight prescription drug addiction nationally, noting that it was now killing more people than crack cocaine in the 1980s and heroin in the 1970s combined.”

During pregnancy, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, even when consumed in small quantity, can have significant and irreversible effects on the unborn child and his/her future development. Smoking during pregnancy leads to many complications for the mother and her baby, including being born too early (premature birth), or too small (low birth weight), and long term developmental consequences. Alcohol use during pregnancy is associated with many short-term and long-term problems (it is the leading preventable cause of mental retardation in the US), and abstinence is recommended for pregnant women.

Abused substances produce some form of intoxication that alters judgment, perception, attention, or physical control. Drug overdose may also cause death. Many substances can bring on a withdrawal reaction - an effect caused by cessation or reduction in the amount of the substance used. Withdrawal can range from mild anxiety to seizures and hallucinations and even death. If you are a regular drinker or abuse benzodiazepines (such as valium, xanax, ativan), you should not stop without medical supervision!

Who Should Seek Treatment?

Many people do not seek treatment because they feel they do not have a problem. “Problems”, however, can happen even when one is not dependent. For alcohol, in particular, health consequences can occur when one is drinking over the recommended limits:

For healthy men up to age 65: no more than 4 drinks in a day and 14 drinks per week
For healthy women or healthy men older than 65: no more than 3 drinks per day and 7 days per week
For pregnant women: there is no known safe limit, abstinence is recommended

The following links can help you in determining if you need help, and are fully anonymous:

Another reason why people do not seek treatment is because of the fear of stigma. Addiction, however, shared the same genetic, biologic, and behavioral characteristics than other chronic diseases (such as diabetes and hypertension) and IS a medical disease. Anyone can be vulnerable to drugs of abuse, across all socio-economic strata, gender, and ages. Individuals who have a family member with addiction and/or have a mental illness are particularly at risk. Drugs “highjack” the brain and once exposed, it is very hard for someone to stop using without help.

Friends and family may be among the first to recognize the signs of substance abuse. Early recognition increases chances for successful treatment.

Signs to watch for include the following:

Giving up past activities such as sports, homework, or hanging out with new friends
Declining grades, aggressiveness and irritability, forgetfulness

Disappearing money or valuables, feeling rundown, hopeless, depressed, or even suicidal
Taking risks, including sexual risks and having "blackouts"-forgetting what he or she did the night before
Getting in trouble with the law, drinking and driving or suspensions from school or work for an alcohol or drug-related incident

Sounding selfish and not caring about others, and avoiding friends or family in order to get drunk or high
Use of room deodorizers and incense and finding paraphernalia such as baggies, small boxes, pipes, and rolling paper
Getting drunk or high on drugs on a regular basis
Lying, particularly about how much alcohol or other drugs he or she is using

Planning drinking in advance, hiding alcohol, drinking or using other drugs alone
Having to drink more to get the same high or constantly talking about drinking or using other drugs
Believing that in order to have fun you need to drink or use other drugs
Frequent hangovers and pressuring others to drink or use other drugs

Substance Abuse Treatment at Potomac Psychiatry

So, if you or your loved one would like

To stop smoking
To discuss your/her/his use of alcohol to check if you/she/he is at risk
To cut down on or stop drinking
To stop your/her/his drug use
To get support and help on how to deal with a relative/friend who is using drugs
To get advice on how to parent a child who is using drugs
To get advice on how to best protect yourself from becoming addicted if you have a relative who is
To help you stop smoking/drinking/using drugs because you want/are pregnant

We can help! The good news is that treatment exists and can be highly effective. Treatment usually takes the form of a combination of medication and therapy. Group therapy and support is also a very effective tool. At Potomac Psychiatry, we offer evidence-based treatment combining medical management and therapy.

Call us at 301.984.9791 to discuss your needs or to schedule an appointment.

Potomac Psychiatry is conveniently located in Rockville MD, near the intersection of Rockville Pike (MD 355) and Montrose Road. We are walking distance from the White Flint Metro Rail Station (Red Line). We serve the Suburban Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia area.

Our offices are conveniently accessible from the following communities:

Maryland (MD):

Bethesda 20814 - Bethesda 20816 - Bethesda 20817 - Chevy Chase 20815 - Colesville 20904 - Cabin John 20815 - Glen Echo 20812 - Gaithersburg 20855 - Gaithersburg 20877- Gaithersburg 20878 - Gaithersburg 20879 - Garrett Park 20896 - Kensington 20895 - Montgomery Village 20886 - Olney 20830 - Olney 20832 - Potomac 20854 - Potomac 20859 - Rockville 20850 - Rockville 20852 - Rockville 20853 - Silver Spring 20903 - Silver Spring 20905 - Silver Spring 20906 - Silver Spring 20910 - Takoma Park 20912 - Wheaton 20902

Washington DC:

Crestwood 20011- North Capitol Hill 20002 - Cathedral Heights 20016 - American University Park 20016 - Columbia Heights 20010 - Mount Pleasant 20010 - Downtown 20036 - Dupont Circle 20009 - Logan Circle 20005- Adams Morgan 20009 - Chevy Chase 20015 - Georgetown 20007 - Cleveland Park 20008 - Foggy Bottom 20037 - Rock Creek Park - Woodley Park 20008 - Tenleytown 20016

Northern Virginia:
McLean 22101- McLean 22102 - McLean 22106 - Great Falls 22066 - Arlington 22201 - Arlington 22202 - Arlington 22203 - Arlington 22205 - Falls Church 22041 - Vienna 22181 - Alexandria 22314