Early Symptoms of Mental Health Illness
Light alcohol use (see definition below) is socially acceptable, but heavy alcohol use can prove detrimental to a person’s physical and mental well-being including the overall physiological health of the brain.
Heavy or long-term alcohol misuse (see definition below) can result in learning and memory issues. It can also lead to the development or exacerbation of any mental health condition.
Three distinct anxiety disorders most commonly co-occur with alcohol use disorder:
1) Generalized anxiety disorder presents as persistent and generalized worrying, poor sleep, fatigue, and difficulty relaxing. 2) Social anxiety disorder presents with extreme fear of situations involving the possibility of scrutiny by others or embarrassment. 3) Panic disorder involves recurrent “panic attacks” of intense fear lasting minutes to an hour and often leads to behavior avoiding precipitating circumstances.
Light Alcohol Use is defined as fewer than 3 drinks per week.
Heavy Alcohol Use:
NIAAA defines heavy drinking as follows:
- For men, consuming five or more drinks on any day or 15 or more per week.
- For women, consuming four or more drinks on any day or 8 or more drinks per week.
SAMHSA defines heavy alcohol use as binge drinking on 5 or more days in the past month.
For more information:
Mental Health Issues: Mental Health Issues: Alcohol Use Disorder and Common Co-occurring Conditions
If you would like to have a confidential conversation, please call the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program to be connected to a FADAP peer at your airline.
1-855-33FADAP or 1-855-2327
“Wings of Sobriety” Telephonic meetings are open to all Flight Attendants who are exploring their need for or seeking recovery from substance use disorders. Meeting times are scheduled on Wednesday at 3:00 pm EST and Sunday at 5:00 pm EST. Each meeting will last between forty-five (45) minutes to one (1) hour.
