In the past 20 years or so, with the development of China’s economy, the production and per capita consumption of alcohol have increased significantly, and various hazards caused by alcohol and the hospitalization rate of alcohol dependence have also increased. The latest survey data (2001) shows that the results of the epidemiological survey on alcohol consumption in five cities in China, convened by the Institute of Mental Health of Central South University, showed that the drinking rates of men and women in the general population (15 years old and above) were 74.93% and 38.8%, respectively, and that men drank 13.4 times more alcohol than women, and the point prevalence of alcohol dependence in men and women was 6.6% and 0.2%, respectively. Alcohol consumption in developed countries reached a peak in the 1980s, after which consumption was relatively stable or declined slightly. In contrast, China’s per capita alcohol consumption, in terms of the incidence of related problems, is relatively low, but contrary to this trend, there is a significant increase in alcohol consumption and related diseases in China, which has attracted the attention of relevant personnel.
What behaviors are used to identify alcohol dependence?
(1) Viewing the act of drinking as the most important or very important thing in life.
(2) Gradual increase in the amount of alcohol consumed.
(3) Drinking at a faster rate, especially when you start drinking.
(4) Often drink alone, pouring their own drinks. Some go out to buy alcohol on credit.
(5) Use alcohol as medicine to relieve oneself of emotional problems.
(6) Hiding alcohol.
(7) Often forgetting things after drinking, or in severe cases, not knowing who they drank with and how they got home.
(8) Drinking alcohol in the morning on an empty stomach or before going to bed, using alcohol instead of drugs to help you sleep.
(9) Frequent arguments with family members (especially spouse) and interpersonal tension due to alcohol consumption.
(10) Once quit drinking, but then return to drinking.
If two or more of the above symptoms are present, the possibility of alcohol dependence is highly suspected.
How should a patient with suspected alcohol dependence be diagnosed?
According to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) criteria for the diagnosis of alcohol dependence syndrome: it usually requires that at least three of the following have been experienced or exhibited at some time in the past year.
(1) A strong craving or urge for alcohol;
(2) Difficulty controlling the beginning, end, and dosage of drinking behavior;
(3) A physiological withdrawal state when drinking is terminated or reduced;
(4) Gradual neglect of other recreational interests as a result of drinking actions, with a gradual increase in the time taken to obtain, use, or recover from other effects;
(5) Tolerance based on the necessity of using high doses of alcohol to obtain the effects of lower doses in the past;
(6) Stubbornly drinking alcohol without regard to its apparently harmful consequences.