SCI & ALCOHOL
Spinal Cord Injury is without a doubt, a dramatic life changing experience and to cope some turn to alcohol or pills. Researchers have proven that individuals with a SCI abuse alcohol about twice the rate of the general population. Studies have found that acute intoxication may impead the process of cell regeneration, resulting in increased spinal cord necrosis and impaired functional recovery.
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Drinking can cause bowel and bladder issues, pressure sores, increase or decrease the effects of medications and actually causes depression. More importantly, it's not about how much or how often you drink. It's what it does to you when you do.
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Take the C.A.G.E questionnaire below to screen for alcoholism.
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Have you ever felt like you should Cut down on your drinking?
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Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
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Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?
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Have you ever taken a drink first thing in the morning as an Eye opener to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?
Two "yes" responses indicate that the possibility of alcoholism and should be investigated further.
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To talk to someone now email shelly.kerchner@yahoo.com
For More information & help visit https://www.aa.org
Developed by Dr. John Ewing, founding director of the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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Anderson TE. Effects of acute alcohol intoxication on spinal cord vascular injury central nerv syst trauma. 1986 Summer, 3 (3):183-92
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