An alcohol unit consists of 15 ml of absolute alcohol, a measurement based on research done in the US (which differs to findings in Europe, where an alcohol unit consists of 10 ml of absolute alcohol). A unit of alcohol would be the equivalent of 150 ml of wine, 300 ml of beer and 30 ml of spirits (just over a tot measure).
So how do your drinks measure up?
Early signs of alcoholism
The CAGE questionnaire is generally accepted as a screening tool for probable alcohol abuse. If you answer yes to three or more of the four questions below, you should see someone about your use of alcohol. If you say yes to all four questions, you definitely have a dependency problem.
The cardinal sign of alcoholism is a loss of control of alcohol use with subsequent remorse (post-party anxiety). Other signs are an increase in blackouts, an increase in use of other drugs (prescription drugs, stimulants, other illegal drugs) in order to counter the effects of excessive alcohol use, and failed attempts at stopping or cutting down use, even in the face of negative consequences.
Red lights should flash when a person's life is becoming unmanageable because of the use of alcohol (losing a job, spouse, children or having accidents) and when a person continues to drink in spite of consequences such as those listed above.
Where to get help
Johannesburg
Houghton House Recovery Centre
(011) 728-0850
The Riverfield Lodge
(011) 460-1970
Cape Town
Stepping Stones Addiction Centre
(021) 783-4230
Kenilworth Place Addiction Treatment Centre
(021) 797-0190.
www.kwplace.co.za
Durban
SANCO
(031) 303-2202
Lulama Treatment Centre
(031) 202-2241
lulama@mweb.co.za