Questions & Answers

2. Is it all right for pregnant women to drink?

No. Drinking during pregnancy can harm a newborn. The effects of drinking during pregnancy on the developing fetus range from mental retardation and problems with organ development and function, to hyperactivity and learning or behavioral problems as a child. Many of these effects can last for the child’s entire life. It is not clear exactly how much alcohol will definitely cause such problems, but it is certain that if a woman avoids alcohol completely during pregnancy, they can be prevented. It is also important for women who are breastfeeding to avoid alcohol as well.

3. If a person drinks heavily but is able to continue working, does that mean he or she does not have a drinking problem?

No. A person may be able to hold a steady job and avoid legal and other problems related to alcoholism, but may still be suffering from alcoholism. If a person demonstrates the symptoms of alcoholism, but is still able to avoid these negative effects, he or she may be termed a functional alcoholic. That being said, the body is always damaged by alcohol use.

4. Is there a cure for alcoholism?

There is effective treatment for alcoholism. Usually alcohol abuse can be treated with a brief intervention or education, but alcoholism requires more serious treatment, including detoxification at a hospital or rehabilitation facility (if severe), in addition to medications or support groups. In some extreme cases, medication can be prescribed to assist with alcohol withdrawal. Other medicines can be used later in treatment, when a patient has become sober, to lessen their cravings for alcohol. The longer a patient is successfully treated, the easier it becomes for them to remain sober. Counseling is the most effective and common form of treatment, and the one that is most recognized is Alcoholics Anonymous. Many patients relapse at least once, and some several times, before becoming sober in the long term. It is important to know that relapses are not failures, and patients should try to stop drinking again as soon as possible and seek help if they need it.

5. Is alcoholism a disease?

Yes. Alcoholism is a chronic disease — an addiction — that can worsen over time. Like many other diseases, alcoholism progresses along an expected path, has known symptoms, and can be caused by both family history and lifestyle influences.

6. Can a problem drinker simply cut down?

If a person has been diagnosed with alcoholism, it will not be effective to simply cut down on their intake — they must quit drinking altogether to recover successfully. This has been proven by several research studies. A person who isn’t an alcoholic, but who has experienced problems related to drinking, may be able to simply cut back. This is only possible if that person can always stay within the limit they have set for themselves. Otherwise, it will be necessary for that person to also quit drinking totally.

7. Is alcoholism hereditary?

Alcoholism does run in families. A person’s family history however, is not the only predictor for developing alcoholism. Lifestyle and environmental factors can either contribute to the development or prevention of alcoholism. Choices of friends, stress levels and the availability of alcohol can cause people, even those without a genetic or family history of the disease, to become an alcoholic.

Elizabeth Donahue of the Disparities Solutions Center assisted in the preparation of these responses.