What Is ETOH Abuse?

Ethyl alcohol, often referred to as ethanol, is the active ingredient in alcoholic drinks. ETOH (ethyl alcohol or ethanol) abuse is a condition in which a person continues to drink excessively despite the harmful effects it has on their social, mental, physical, and emotional health. ETOH abuse is also referred to as alcohol abuse. It is considered a milder form of alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Both ETOH abuse and alcohol dependence refer to negative drinking patterns, but they are different and may require different treatment plans. Someone who abuses ETOH may not be dependent on it. However, someone who is dependent on alcohol needs alcohol to carry out their daily activities.

History of the Term ETOH Abuse

In 2013, the 5th edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5) was published. The new edition combined the terms alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse into a single disorder called alcohol use disorder (AUD) which was broken down into three subtypes:

1. Mild
2. Moderate
3. Severe

Although the term ETOH abuse has been integrated into alcohol use disorder, it is helpful to understand the original definition of ETOH abuse.

ETOH Abuse Symptoms

Some physical symptoms of ETOH abuse include:

• Blacking out after excessive drinking
• Having trouble concentrating
• Having difficulty controlling body movements
• Slurred speech
• Having memory gaps and not remembering what happened
• Having problems making decisions
• Experiencing hangovers after drinking
• Experiencing slowed reflexes

In cases where the blood alcohol level is very high, it can cause breathing issues, coma, alcohol poisoning, or death.

Diagnosing ETOH Abuse

Alcohol abuse refers to excessive drinking. What is defined as excessive can vary depending on whether a person is male or female.

For males, heavy drinking is defined as drinking more than four drinks per day or more than 14 per week. Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks in two hours.

For females, heavy drinking is defined as drinking more than three drinks per day or more than seven drinks per week. Binge drinking is defined as having four or more drinks in two hours.

An individual must experience two of the 11 primary symptoms of AUD during the past 12 months to be clinically diagnosed with an AUD.

The disorder is then classified into the following categories:

• Mild AUD: two to three symptoms
• Moderate AUD: four to five symptoms
• Severe AUD: six or more symptoms

A summary of the criteria is as follows:

1. Not being able to cut back on drinking
2. Feeling overwhelmed by the need to have another drink
3. Spending a significant amount of time recovering from the effects of drinking
4. Not being able to meet work or school commitments because of drinking
5. Drinking more than before to get the same effects due to built-up tolerance
6. Drinking while performing risky activities
7. Unsuccessfully trying to quit
8. Losing interest in hobbies and activities
9. Drinking despite health, social or personal problems
10. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop such as trouble sleeping, sweating, nausea and shakiness.
11. Experiencing several instances of drinking more or longer than intended.

Long-Term Adverse Health Effects of ETOH Abuse

ETOH abuse can lead to AUD which can cause and increase the risk of severe health conditions. Some long-term health effects of alcohol abuse include:

• Brain damage: Excessive drinking over time can permanently affect the brain's physical structure. This can lead to unpredictable mood swings, learning problems, impaired motor skills, and decreased decision-making abilities.
• Heart disease: Heavy drinking regularly can permanently damage the heart and cardiovascular system. This can lead to the weakening of the heart muscles, irregular heartbeat, stroke, heart attack, and increased blood pressure.
• Cancer: Frequently consuming alcohol excessively can increase the risk of certain cancers, specifically in the body parts which alcohol comes into contact with. These include cancers of the liver, throat, mouth, and pancreas.
• Liver damage: Long-term alcohol use can lead to irreversible liver damage.

Treatment

Treating alcohol abuse may be different than for those who are alcohol dependent as this depends on the severity of their disorder. Alcohol dependence is a chronic physical and mental condition where the person is unable to stop drinking without experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

The frequency of alcohol abuse can vary from one person to another. Someone can have an acute instance of alcohol abuse followed by a period of time when they aren't abusing alcohol. 

Effective treatment options for alcohol abuse include a combination of the following:

Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been well-studied as a treatment for alcohol use disorder. Other types of treatment that can be helpful for treating ETOH abuse and co-occurring mental health conditions include motivational enhancement therapy, family therapy, and brief interventions.

Medications

Medications have helped many people reduce the harm that excessive alcohol causes. Sometimes the medications are used along with group or psychological therapy, but they can also be used alone.

Years ago, the only medication available, disulfiram, worked by creating an aversion to alcohol for those committed to stopping drinking entirely; they would get sick if they had any alcohol. Today, medications help reduce the craving for alcohol and the desire to drink excessively. 

Naltrexone is a medication that can help manage alcohol cravings. Acamprosate is typically used to help people who want to stop drinking, and it works by helping to eliminate cravings and restlessness, which can create an increased desire for alcohol. Other medications that are used "off label" can help as well.

Support Groups

Peer support groups are available online and in the community. The programs aim to help people reduce or stop drinking by connecting with others with similar experiences and learning from each other. There are also family-based support groups. 

Takeaways

ETOH abuse is a term you might hear to describe an alcohol use problem. Such problems are characterized by excessive alcohol intake that affects a person's ability to function and an inability to reduce or stop drinking. This can have serious effects on a person's life, including their work and relationships, as well as their health. Brain, liver, and heart damage can all result from chronic alcohol misuse. Fortunately, there are effective treatments that can help, including medications, therapy, and support groups.