Alcoholism: How Can it be Treated? In observation of Alcohol Awareness Month, Tanicia Haynes, NP with Occupational Health, speaks with Dr. Peter Martin, Professor of Psychiatry & Pharmacology and an Addition Psychiatrist with Vanderbilt University Medical Center, about alcoholism treatment.

What's in your medicine cabinet? Perhaps you have a few leftover pain pills, half a bottle of cough syrup, or even an entire cache of controlled substances from a loved one who has died.

According to the World Health Organization's moderate drinking guidelines, women should consume no more than one 5 ounce serving of alcohol per day, and men are to consume no more than two 5 ounce serving of alcohol per day.  A 5 ounce serving of alcohol is equal to one shot of 100 proof liquor or a 12 ounce mug of beer.  In addition, women should not consume more than 4 alcoholic beverages on any occasion, and men should not consume more than 5.  The more a person goes over these recommended amounts of alcohol consumption, the higher his or her risk for alcohol dependence.

Physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have requirements for addressing professionals who are impaired. Professional Assistance Programs provide an alternative to losing one’s license for the impaired professional who gets treatment and complies with their guidelines. The Tennessee Medical Foundation (TMF) serves to assist impaired physicians. Additional information about their services can be accessed through the following links:
 
 Tennessee Professional Assistance Program

Members of the Vanderbilt Faculty and Staff can use the services and programs of Work/Life Connections-EAP by calling 615-936-1327.

An online screening is not a substitute for a complete mental health evaluation. It does not result in a diagnosis. It can, however, provide an indication of whether or not a person has symptoms consistent with a particular illness.

Chemical dependency is a treatable, potentially fatal and progressive illness that impacts millions of Americans. Some people have believed the fallacy that controlling drinking (or drugging) is all a matter of will power for the addict. It is no more under the control of the alcoholic than the illness of diabetes is under the control of the diabetic. Often by the time that the disease of addiction is diagnosed, the person no longer has a choice as to whether they will use alcohol or drugs. The point is long past. The person now has the disease of addiction.