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Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Men

Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
What is alcoholism?
What is alcohol abuse?
Is there a safe amount of alcohol for men?
Is alcohol good for a man's heart?

Drug Abuse
What are drugs?
What are some other facts about drugs?
What can you do if you have a problem with drugs?
Publications and Organizations

Alcohol and drug abuse in men oftentimes begins early in their lives. School years, especially high school and college years, are especially difficult for many boys, as they are facing concerns about body image, sexuality, and athletic performance. And at this critical time in their lives, they are more likely than women to have more opportunities to use alcohol and drugs.

Consider how men and women react differently to drugs:

• While both men and women are equally likely to become addicted to cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, tobacco, and inhalants, men are more likely to abuse alcohol and marijuana.

• Men become dependent on drugs more slowly than women.

• The effects of cocaine on the brain and on the risk for stroke have been found to be more severe in men than in women.

• Men in drug treatment programs are more likely to have graduated from high school and to be employed, and have fewer other health problems than women.

• More men than women are alcohol dependent or have alcohol problems. And alcohol problems are highest among young adults ages 18-29 and lowest among adults ages 65 and older.

Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse

We also know that people who start drinking at an early age—for example, at age 14 or younger--greatly increase the chance that they will develop alcohol problems at some point in their lives. Young men (and women) who abuse alcohol often take risks that endanger their health and the health of others, especially with having unsafe sex. Having unsafe sex can lead to teen pregnancy or to unwanted pregnancy, or to getting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as HIV/AIDS. If you have a problem with alcohol, know that you are at risk for these diseases, which can cause serious, even life-threatening health problems.

What is alcoholism?

Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease that includes the following four symptoms:

• Craving — a strong need, or urge, to drink.
• Loss of control — not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun.
• Physical dependence — withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking.
• Tolerance — the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get "high."

Research shows that the risk for developing alcoholism runs in families, but lifestyle factors, such as having friends that use or abuse alcohol, having a high amount of stress in your life, and having alcohol easily available to you also are factors. Knowing you are at risk is important, though, because then you can take steps to protect yourself from developing problems with alcohol. And with support and treatment, many people are able to stop drinking and rebuild their lives.

What is alcohol abuse?

A person can abuse alcohol without actually being an alcoholic—that is, he or she may drink too much and too often but still not be dependent on alcohol. Some of the problems linked to alcohol abuse include not being able to complete tasks for your job, school, or family; drunk-driving arrests and car crashes; and drinking-related health problems. Sometimes, even social or moderate drinking can be a problem-such as drinking and driving.

Is there a safe amount of alcohol for men?

You shouldn't drink at all though if you:

• plan to drive or engage in other activities that require alertness and skill (such as driving and using high-speed machinery)
• take certain over-the-counter or prescription medications (ask your health care provider or pharmacist if it is safe to drink alcohol while taking them)
• have a health problem that can be made worse by drinking
• are a recovering alcoholic
• are younger than age 21

Is alcohol good for a man's heart?

Studies have shown that moderate drinkers — men who have two or less drinks per day — are less likely to die from sudden cardiac death. Sudden cardiac death usually happens when the heart begins beating too fast or chaotically to pump blood in the right way. Small amounts of alcohol might help protect the heart by cutting the risk of blood clots in the heart's arteries and by reducing problems with the heart's rhythm. Heavy drinking though, can actually increase the risk of heart failure, stroke, and high blood pressure, and cause many other health problems. If you don't drink alcohol, you should not start drinking solely to benefit your heart. Learn more about how to protect yourself from heart disease by clicking here.

Drug Abuse

What are drugs?

Drugs are substances that change the way your brain and body works. Drugs can be swallowed, inhaled, smoked, or injected. They can come from plants, like tobacco or marijuana, or they can be manufactured in a lab, like ecstasy. Sometimes, everyday items like glue or paint are used like drugs. Items like these are called inhalants, and using them this way can kill you instantly. Whichever way drugs are taken, they end up in your bloodstream. Blood supplies your entire body with oxygen and nutrients. When your blood contains drugs, the drugs go to all parts of your body. Here are the effects from just some types of drugs:

• Marijuana — memory loss and problems with learning, thinking and problem solving. Loss of coordination and distorted perception, anxiety and paranoia. Loss of interest in sports, activities, schoolwork, friends, and family. If you are high you can forget to have safe sex and put yourself at risk for STDs and HIV. In the long-term, it can cause cancer, problems with breathing, and damage your immune system.

• Stimulants, like methamphetamine ("speed, meth, chalk") —  damage to your brain cells and blood vessels and possible stroke. At lower doses, you suffer decreased appetite, increased respiration, irritability, inability to sleep, confusion, tremors, anxiety, paranoia, and aggressiveness. You also could have convulsions or a dangerously high body temperature that can lead to death.

• Hallucinogens, like ecstasy (MDMA, "E," "X," "The love drug") — gives you dry mouth, faintness, chills, dehydration, sweating, nausea, cramps, tremors, blurred vision, anxiety, depression, paranoia, confusion, and an increased heart rate. Everyone reacts differently, but you could have a heart attack, kidney failure, stroke, seizure, and increase in body temperature. You may clench and grind your teeth, wearing off the enamel that protects them from rotting. If you use it regularly, you can become psychologically dependent on it to feel good as a person. It also can damage your brain permanently.

What are some other facts about drugs?

• Drugs may make you feel good for a short time, but in the end, they make you feel worse, especially when they are wearing off.

• Drugs wear off, but your problems won't.

• Drugs wear off, but their effects on your health can last a lifetime.

• Many drugs are addictive, which means they can seem impossible to quit.

• If you inject drugs, you put yourself at a high risk for getting and transmitting dangerous and life-threatening diseases, like HIV.

What can you do if you have a problem with drugs?

How do you know if you or a friend has a problem with drugs? A person who has a drug problem might show some of these signs:

• thinks drugs are the solution to all problems

• spends all free time figuring out how to do drugs again, how to get money to do drugs, and is anxious, depressed, and irritable

• has dropped out of regular school activities or social activities and has a new group of drug-using friends

• can't get to work or school on time, grades have dropped, sleep habits have changed, and he seems to have gained or lost a lot of weight

• looks sick, tired, or even messy

• seems to be taking more and more of the drug to get the same effect

If you or someone you know shows some of these signs, you can get help! The only way out of drug addiction is to recognize that there is a problem and that you can get help from others. Talk to your parents, doctor, nurse, teacher, counselor, or any adult you trust. Although it won't be easy, you or your friend can stop using drugs. Don't be ashamed. Everyone needs help at some point in life. Asking for help could be the best decision you ever made.

Last Updated: November 2003

The following resources can help you stay on top of what you need to know about alcohol and drugs:

Publications

1.   Alcohol Impairment Chart - This fact sheet offers information about the different affects alcohol can have on men and women.
   
   
2.   Alcoholism: Getting the Facts - This publication contains information about how to get help for alcohol abuse. Also included is a list of resources for additional information.
   
   
3.   How to Cut Down On Your Drinking - This publication contains a brief quiz to determine whether someone is drinking excessively and offers tips on how to reduce alcohol intake.
   
   
4.   NIDA InfoFacts - Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction - This fact sheet explains some of the myths about people who use and abuse drugs and how these people should be viewed and their treatment options.
   
   
5.   Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator - This Internet site can help you locate a substance abuse treatment facility in your area.
   
   

Organizations

1.   National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI), SAMSHA, HHS
   
   
2.   National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, HHS
   
   
3.   National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, HHS
   
   
4.   Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, OPHS, HHS
   
   
5.   Task Force on College Drinking, NIAAA, NIH
   
   

= Indicates Federal Resources

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