Q:   What do we mean by alcoholism?

A:  Yes. Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease with symptoms that include a strong need to drink despite negative consequences, such as serious job or health problems. Like many other diseases, it has a generally predictable course, has recognized symptoms, and is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors that are being increasingly well defined.

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Q:  Is Alcoholism Inherited?

A:   Alcoholism tends to run in families, and genetic factors partially explain this pattern. Currently, researchers are on the way to finding the genes that influence vulnerability to alcoholism. A person's environment, such as the influence of friends, stress levels, and the ease of obtaining alcohol, also may influence drinking and the development of alcoholism. Still other factors, such as social support, may help to protect even high-risk people from alcohol problems. Risk, however, is not destiny. A child of an alcoholic parent will not automatically develop alcoholism. A person with no family history of alcoholism can become alcohol dependent.

A:  Not yet. Alcoholism is a treatable disease, and medication has also become available to help prevent relapse, but a cure has not yet been found. This means that even if an alcoholic has been sober for a long time and has regained health, he or she may relapse and must continue to avoid all alcoholic beverages.

A:  A good first step is to answer the brief questionnaire below, developed by Dr. John Ewing. (To help remember these questions, note that the first letter of a key word in each question spells "CAGE.")

Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?
Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (Eye opener)?

Three "yes" answers suggests a probable alcohol problem. Four “yes” answers suggests a definite alcohol dependence. If you think that you or someone you know might have an alcohol problem, it is important to see a doctor or other health provider right away. He or she can determine whether a drinking problem exists and, if so, suggest the best course of action.

Q:   What is FAS?

A:  FAS stands for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. FAS, a disorder characterized by growth retardation, facial abnormalities, and central nervous system dysfunction (CNS), is caused by a woman's use of alcohol during pregnancy.

A:  If a woman drinks while pregnant, she puts her developing fetus at risk for a wide spectrum of adverse effects including spontaneous abortion; growth retardation; physical, mental, and behavioural abnormalities; facial abnormalities; and CNS impairment, such as developmental delay, speech or language delay, lower IQ, and decreased head circumference. In the worst cases, prenatal exposure to alcohol may result in fetal death.

Q:   Can FAS be treated? How?

A:  FAS is an irreversible, lifelong condition that affects every aspect of a child's life and the lives of his or her family members; however, FAS is the only birth defects that can be completely prevented. With early identification and diagnosis, a child with FAS can receive services that can help maximize his or her potential

Q:   How much alcohol is dangerous? Is there anything I can do now to decrease the chances of having a child with FAS?

A:  Any amount of alcohol consumed during pregnancy is potentially dangerous to an unborn baby. There is no cure for FAS; it is irreversible; however, if a pregnant woman is drinking during pregnancy, it is never too late for her to stop.

The sooner a woman quits drinking, the better it will be for both her and her baby. If a woman is not able to quit drinking, she should contact her local social service agency or health plan for alcohol abuse treatment, if needed; if a woman is not yet pregnant, she should use an effective form of birth control until her drinking is under control. The easiest way to prevent FAS is to abstain from alcohol use during pregnancy.

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