The month of April has designated alcohol awareness month in many countries, from 1987, to inform the public about the disease alcoholism - that it is a treatable disease, not a moral weakness, and that alcoholics are capable of recovery. This year’s campaign theme is focusing on underage drinking.

Dr. Brett Hodge

Alcoholism in Anguilla
There is much evidence that alcoholism is a growing problem in Anguilla. Many visits to the doctor and admissions to hospital are alcohol related. Many cases of adult and child abuse are related to alcohol drinking and alcohol is frequently a factor in motor vehicle accidents here in Anguilla. Recently, while addressing a group of Secondary School children in Anguilla I was surprised by the number of children, age less than 14 years, who stated that they used alcohol drinks regularly. Despite the evidence and warning signs, for some unknown reason(s) alcoholism is not the focus of the public or opinion leaders. Indeed I get the impression that some individuals are in a state of denial about this problem in Anguilla.

Types of alcohol problems
The term alcohol abuse is used to describe an individual who has clinically significant impairment or distress but does not entail physical dependence.
Alcohol dependence, also referred to as alcoholism, is characterized by impaired control over drinking, and has withdrawal symptoms when alcohol is removed. The individual develops tolerance to the drug and neglects normal activities for drinking. The individual continues to drink despite recurrent related physical and psychological problems.
Risky drinking is the term used to describe an individual who drinks beyond moderate levels either on a regular basis or on a particular occasion.

Who develops an alcohol problem?
Any one can develop an alcohol problem. It can occur at all ages, in people of all social groups and in all races. There is some evidence that while alcoholism is not hereditary, you can inherit a gene that makes you more susceptible to becoming an alcoholic. Environmental factors may also contribute to alcohol use in some cases. Women overall drink less than men but are more likely to experience adverse consequences including damage to the heart muscle, liver and the brain.

How to recognize that you have an alcohol problem
Many individuals in Anguilla continue to use alcohol for many years and are not aware that they have a problem with alcohol. The following may indicate that you have a problem with alcohol and should seek professional help:
• Drinking to calm nerves, forget worries or to boost a sad mood
• Guilt about drinking
• Unsuccessful attempts to stop drinking
• Lying about or hiding drinking habits
• Cause harm to oneself or someone else as a result of drinking
• Feeling irritable when not drinking
• Need to drink increasingly greater amounts in order to achieve desired effects
• Having medical, social, family or financial problems caused by drinking.

Underage drinking
There is growing concern about the number of school age children that are using alcohol on a regular basis in many countries including Anguilla. Because many teenagers begin using alcohol at such an early age the risk of medical and other problems occurring are greatly increased. Many teenage drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents are found to be driving under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol use can also adversely affect the academic performances of teenagers at school and college.
There needs to be more community awareness in Anguilla about underage drinking. Various groups such as the church, the media, various government departments dealing with youth, culture, education and health, and the community at large must work together to stop or decrease underage drinking in Anguilla.
The laws that prevent underage drinking must also be adhered to and enforced when breached.

Conclusion
In Anguilla there is a need for greater national awareness about the effects underage drinking. Indeed, communities in Anguilla must be encouraged to focus more on alcoholism and alcohol related issues. The medical, economic and psychological effects of alcoholism in Anguilla are significantly more than any other illegal drug at this time. We must do more to stop underage drinking so that we can prevent future suffering and death in our country. Those individuals who are suffering from alcoholism should be encouraged to seek treatment as alcoholics are capable of recovering from their disease. The month of April is an ideal time to increase public awareness about the dangers of alcoholism and underage drinking.

Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr. Brett Hodge is an obstetrician/gynaecologist and family doctor who has over twenty years in clinical practice. Dr. Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.

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