In Cypriot society, alcohol is a big part of our culture and we are exposed to it from a young age. In family gathering, from a young age, we are enforced to do “Cheers” with a glass of beer or wine. When we become older, we experiment with the drink of our preference, how much we can consume before we are drunk and sometimes this makes us surpass our tolerance limits for alcohol.

In small quantity, alcohol gives us euphoria, diminishes stress and anxiety, helps us be more upbeat and sociable, however in large quantities causes severe issues. Alcohol is a repressant and after its consumption we feel more joyous, relaxed, we might be in the mood for flirt, and many times we act more impulsively than usual. Many individuals, when drunk, might act much differently than when they are sober e.g. to have a sexual intercourse without the use of means of protection against sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancy. Also, during this phase, a person has a diminished ability to operate a vehicle, and therefore, if he/she does drive, they might be involved in car accident as their reflexes are impacted.

There is a significant difference between someone abusing and someone being addicted to alcohol. Both abuse and addiction are possibilities, and addiction can come after alcohol abuse, without this being always the case. Psychosocial, biological, and genetic factors play a significant role or can predispose someone for alcohol addiction.

Alcohol addiction is defined by alcohol tolerance, which means that there is a constant need for increasing the quantity for alcohol to achieve the desired effect, physical/cognitive withdrawal symptoms after the cessation or reduction of alcohol, which might become life-threatening. Additionally, the person might have attempted many times to reduce or cut back alcohol use, without any success. Also, even though there might be an intense desire to reduce or cut back alcohol use, the attempts are usually unsuccessful. The individual loses control in regards their intention of consumption (intention for one drink which ends up being seven drinks), and general dysfunction in a variety of aspects in life such as interpersonal relationships, academic, and occupational responsibilities.

Alcohol abuse is linked with dysfunctionality of occupational and social matters, as well as legal, interpersonal as well as physical issues due to intense alcohol use, however, without addiction being present. For someone to manage their alcohol use, it requires an intensive approach which we will encourage you to discuss with the Counselor at the Center.