Current article in Men's Health: Alcohol

My Uncle John emailed me the link to this article and I thought maybe it would be helpful.

-Brooklyn



Under the influence: Do you have an alcohol problem?
By Michael W. Rosen, M.D.


Drinking too much can harm you both physically and mentally. Excessive alcohol use can:

* Increase the risk of stroke and certain cancers
* Damage the liver and pancreas
* Cause impotence and infertility
* Turn into alcohol dependence or addiction
* Increase the risk of injury, drunk driving or unsafe sex
* Strain personal and professional relationships
* Lead to financial trouble and criminal charges

Cause for concern
Those who choose to drink alcohol should do so in moderation. That means no more than two drinks a day for men and no more than one drink a day for women.

Do you tend to drink more than this? Should you be concerned? Your answers to the following questions could indicate that your alcohol use is a problem. In the past year, have you:

* Had times that you drank more or longer than you intended?
* Been at risk of getting hurt or hurting someone else because of drinking?
* Continued to drink even though it has caused distress in your family or with your friends?
* Gotten in trouble at your job because of alcohol use?
* Tried to cut down or quit drinking but couldn’t?
* Felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning?

Ready to make a change
It can be difficult to face a problem with alcohol. But, the sooner you act, the better. Alcohol abuse is a harmful pattern of drinking. If it goes on, it can lead to alcohol dependency or alcoholism.

Try taking a first step toward getting help and go from there. Begin by talking frankly with your doctor about your alcohol use. Ask what treatments or therapies could help you make a change. Be sure to check your benefit plan to see which services are covered.

Here are some additional resources:

* Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator. Visit www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov. Or, call 1-800-662-HELP.
* Alcoholics Anonymous. Visit www.aa.org.
* Al-Anon/Alateen. Visit www.al-anon.alateen.org. Or, call 1-888-425-2666.

Dr. Michael Rosen is board-certified in internal medicine and hematology. He has been a medical director for OptumHealth for more than 13 years. Dr. Rosen has also had extensive experience in private practice and the field of clinical epidemiology. He currently coordinates the clinical review of health care-related consumer resources created by OptumHealth. In addition, Dr. Rosen provides leadership for OptumHealth’s Cancer Support program, a comprehensive oncology disease management solution