Thoughts about after-work beer Alcohol abuse?

Alcohol after work for many relaxing end of the day

17/12/2013

„Finally closing time! And now a beer!“ This thought is probably familiar to many, because after a stressful working day, a cozy evening with a glass of wine or a bottle of Pils promises relaxation for many people. However, if the thoughts of alcohol come back again and again during the day or are consumed quickly after work or a larger amount of alcoholic beverages, this can be a sign of alcohol dependence.

Three to four small glasses of wine per week still in the green area
For many people this is cozy „Feierabendbier“ or the glass of wine after work in the evening a whole „normal“ Ritual to relax and end the day. It is according to Anette Wahl-Wachendorf by the Association of Plant and Factory Physicians „still fine“, „drink a small glass of wine three or four times a week in the evening“, because at this frequency normally no habituation occurs, the expert said „dpa“. On the other hand, it becomes more problematic when, during the course of the day, there are always the next ones „alcoholic reward“ will be thought after work - because this is after Wahl-Wachendorf an indication that the use of alcohol has an extremely high priority and sufferers could quickly slip into a dependency.

Quick drinking of larger amounts of alcohol also indicates alcohol dependence
Another indication of a possible alcohol dependency is when, for example, employees drink much more alcohol at a Christmas party than others. This indicates, according to election Wachendorf point out, „that someone is very used to alcohol and consciously heading for levels.“ Therefore, the expert recommends a person who feels that they may drink too much „Self-checking“, by first abstaining from alcohol for seven days - in the case of conspicuously difficult cases, the doctor should in any case seek medical advice in the next step.

„Alcohol self-test“ the BZgA helps to check own consumption
Assistance in estimating your own alcohol consumption also provides the „Alcohol self-test“ The Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), because interested parties can quickly and easily check their handling of alcohol with the help of 16 test questions and also receive appropriate information on risks and problems.

Approximately 9.5 million people between the ages of 18 and 65 have alcohol problems
According to BzgA, an estimated 9.5 million people between the ages of 18 and 65 in Germany have alcohol problems, which means they drink alcohol in health-hazardous amounts. About 1.3 million of them are therefore considered dependent on alcohol, while alcohol consumption is widespread in all walks of life regardless of educational level. „Alcohol is still downplayed in our society“, so the warning of the BzgA director Prof. dr. Elisabeth Pott. „But alcohol is an addictive substance and a cell poison. It can cause significant health damage. That's why we need to raise awareness among adults and adolescents alike that alcohol can not be safely consumed“, so Dr. Elisabeth Pott continues. Among the most common - caused by chronic - alcohol consumption diseases include cirrhosis of the liver, damage to the brain and heart muscle and cancer diseases such as liver cancer or esophageal cancer. (No)

Picture: Ute Mulder