Dealing With The Problem Of Alcoholism

Posted by Jeremy Stanford on Mar 13, 2010

Alcoholism, which is also called “alcohol dependence syndrome,” is a disease that is characterized by physical dependence, craving, loss of control and tolerance.

Alcoholism has nothing to do with the kind of alcohol one consumes, how long they have been drinking, or even how much alcohol they consume. But it has a great deal to do with a person’s uncontrollable need for alcohol.

This description of alcoholism will give us an insight into how difficult it is to stop drinking and why just “a little willpower” won’t help them break the addiction. The craving for alcohol for him or her can be as strong as that of the need for food or water. Alcohol abuse refers to people who do not display the characteristics of alcoholism but still have a problem with it – these people are not as dependent on alcohol as an alcoholic is, they have not yet completely lost control over its consumption.

Consuming alcohol in moderation doesn’t normally cause any physical or psychological harm. However, for some people social drinking eventually leads to heavy drinking. This can cause chronic health and psychological problems.

Studies show that the risk of developing alcoholism does run in families. The genes a person inherits can partially explain this pattern, but lifestyle is also a factor. Your friends, the amount of stress in your life and how readily alcohol is available are also factors that may increase the risk of becoming an alcohol addict.

The symptoms of alcoholism and alcohol abuse are similar and are often just a question of degree or intensity. Sadly the last person to be aware that he/she has a drinking problem is the alcoholic himself/herself. This is because they are in denial. Some signs and symptoms of alcoholism as well as alcohol abuse include:

Drinking alone.

Drinking in secret.

Not being able to cut down the amount of alcohol intake.

Passing out – not being able to remember events of the previous drinking spree.

Having rituals and being irritable when these rituals are disturbed or commented on. This could be drinks before/during/after meals, or after work.

Giving up hobbies and activities the person used to enjoy; losing interest in them.

Feeling a strong urge to drink.

Feeling irritable when drinking time approaches. This feeling is intense if alcohol is not available, or there appears to be a chance it may not be available.

Having stashes of alcohol in unlikely places.

Quickly consuming alcohol in order to get drunk and then feel great.

Having problems in the relationship (sparked by drinking).

Problems with the law caused by drinking.

Work problems caused by drinking or drinking as root cause.

Problems relating to money (caused by drinking).

Requiring a larger quantity of alcohol to feel its effect.

Nausea, sweating, or even shaking when not drinking.

Alcoholism remains a major health concern. Excessive drinking is in essence poisoning the human body. Alcoholics risk destroying their kidneys and liver and also keep themselves prone to heart diseases when they continue to drink.

A drunk driver, an alcoholic pregnant woman, or a spouse who becomes abusive as a result of alcohol, risks destroying not only him or herself, but also other members of the family. There is also the collateral damage of the alcoholic’s behavior.

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July 2nd, 2010 | 11:49 pm

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