Alcoholism: Diagnosis and Treatment

" Welcome to our webcast on doctor David marks many alcoholics don't even know they have a problem so what are systems and alcoholism. And when did you start worrying that you might have a problem. Joining us to answer these questions is doctor Carol life's she's an addiction psychiatrist and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and public health. At Cornell University medical college New York presbyterian hospital welcome. And doctor Richard Rosenthal police chief of the division of substance abuse at Beth Israel hospital in New York welcomed and two others are doctors failing to pick this up."

" On routine exams go and is here in turn is absolutely. There's no question about it that. That the if you want to just talked about diagnoses and its people actually have. We're physicians called diagnose the bulls disorders -- problem drinking bit more severe cases -- problems. And what we know is that in general practice although getting better. Most physicians are not asking those kinds of simple questions about simple drinking behavior. And that's a shame because often doctors can. -- a British fact especially if someone has not made the transition. From a problem drinker into a person with an abuse or dependence problem. And so early intervention by a caring professional. Can make a difference is that actually literature on that -- shows that brief interventions by. The primary care physicians. Can have an impact on drinking behavior. Unfortunately it's not done with any kind of regular is there a difference in the way men and women manifest signs an alcoholic and."

" Together a lot of differences on -- well there are people who say that out women. Manifest. With problems with alcohol. You after a shorter period of alcohol use that as a man might be able to drink for many years before developing a problem but with a woman it happens sooner. Why that is to do with the physiology of women perhaps women have done. More bodies stacked. They're water concentration is different than with men and that may effect how it's that manifests. Women tends to have more shame and guilt associated with their drinking. Then men do it's not very socially X it's less socially acceptable for a woman. Two arms. To drink confirm man. It was the case that women were much more reluctant to pursue treatment as a result of act -- has shifted fortunately over the years that more women now are going to. AA and other forms treatments -- for a long time there were reluctant to a to show their head and then of course women because they're different. -- had different problems that utility problems associated with the drinking alcohol for example."

" Well let's satan leave the doctor out and say. Someone out there knows a loved one or friend who they think suspect is an alcohol what should they do."

" Merciful -- they should talk to the person but not in any. Judgmental or attacking kind of way. Because you're gonna get up the air defenses of the person and make an irritable angry and even deny more fiercely that they have a problem but gently. Discussed within your concerns about what you observed and that you're not the only person -- observed that that's often very health -- cult who. To point out. Com and until suggest that occur in ways that they might be able to get help or other people that you know have the same problem and help that they've gotten. Solution take some actions they should take some action and you shouldn't I direct them toward getting help."

" Paralyzed Rick Rosenthal thank you very much for joining us that alcoholism is a very severe problem in this country. Diagnosis is the first -- possibly the most important step and we hope this webcast helped out. I'm doctor David mark thanks for joining us."