Because denial is frequently a characteristic of alcoholism, it''s unlikely
that people who are dependent on or who
abuse
alcohol will seek medical
treatment on their own. Often it takes family members, friends or co-workers to
persuade them to undergo screening for alcoholism or to seek treatment. If you
feel that your drinking is a
problem — you feel guilty about your drinking and
just can''t control it — talk with your doctor about treatment options. Also
talk with your doctor if you find that you need a drink first thing in the
morning and that you need an increasing amount of alcohol before you start
feeling its effects. It''s often difficult for doctors to decide which people to
screen for an alcohol problem. For example, signs and symptoms such as memory
loss or falling might be the result of aging rather than indications of alcohol
abuse. Or people may complain to doctors about digestive problems or pain or
weakness, but never reveal their abuse of alcohol. A doctor who suspects an
alcohol problem may ask a number of questions regarding drinking habits in
order to get an indication of the amount of drinking. If answers to those
questions indicate possible alcoholism or alcohol abuse, the doctor may do a
short screening test using a standardized questionnaire. Blood alcohol tests
aren''t useful in diagnosing alcoholism because the tests indicate consumption
only at that particular time. They don''t offer clues about long-term alcohol
use. Other blood tests that measure the size of red blood cells, which increase
with long-term alcohol use, and a factor known as carbohydrate-deficient
transferrin may indicate heavy alcohol consumption. Sometimes other tests
indicate health problems that may be alcohol related, such as tests showing
liver damage or reduced testosterone levels in men. Denial is a hallmark of
alcoholism and people with alcohol dependence tend to minimize the extent of
their drinking. The doctor may ask for permission to speak with family members
or friends. Concerned family members may also contact the doctor on their own
to discuss their concerns. However, confidentiality rules prevent the doctor
from giving out any information without consent.