Austin Drunk Driving Lawyers - Ian Inglis

Alcohol Abuse – A Serious Problem

When you are pulled over for DWI in the state of Texas, you will likely have to undergo an evaluation by a state psychologist to see if you have a drinking problem. This is because many people who drive while drunk have a dangerous relationship with alcohol. This creates problems for the person afflicted, their friends and family, and the state, since people with drinking problems are more likely to be repeat DWI offenders.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the handbook that psychologists across the US use when diagnosing patients, makes a distinction between alcohol abuse and dependency, but either one can be a serious problem. The American Medical Association also acknowledges alcohol dependency as a disease.

According to the DSM IV-TR, the latest edition of the DSM, alcohol abuse is a pattern of continuing to drink heavily despite suffering from legal, financial, emotional or health problems related to drinking. It is often correlated with another mental problem, such as depression or Borderline Personality Disorder. If you have suffered negative consequences from excessive drinking but do not wish to stop, you may want to talk to a doctor about possible alcohol abuse. A health care professional should be able to find you help in regaining full control of your behavior.

Alcohol abuse becomes dependency when the victim begins to experience physiological symptoms. This could mean an increased tolerance for alcohol, requiring the person to drink more to attain the “buzzed” feeling they enjoy, or it could mean that the person experiences withdrawal whenever alcohol is not available. Withdrawal symptoms include shaking, nausea, tension or irritability, and sometimes even hallucinations.

If you suspect you may have a drinking problem, seeking help right away will help you avoid serious legal and personal consequences. If you are facing charges such as DWI as a result of your drinking problem, contact Austin drunk driving lawyer Ian Inglis at 512-472-1950 today.