What is Alcoholism?
The powerful compulsion of an alcohol addition is not only be devastating to the alcoholic sufferer, but extremely difficult for family and friends to know what to do to help. Individuals battling alcohol addiction may want to quit on their own, but may find actually during so overwhelming. Understanding what alcoholism is, what the dangers and risks factors are, and the treatments available is the first step to successful confronting and battling an alcohol addiction.
What is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism occurs when an individual shows physical signs of being addicted to alcohol, yet continues to drink despite this condition. Typically, a person suffering from alcoholism will have problems in one or more areas such as: physical health, mental health, job responsibilities, social interactions, and family relationships.
Medically, alcoholism is considered a disease, and a chronic one at that. With alcoholism, a person’s body becomes dependent on drinking alcohol, and the individual loses control over his or her drinking. When a person is suffering from alcoholism, they can lose control of how much they drink, when they drink, and how long they drink. The individual continues to drink alcohol despite knowing it is having a negative effect on their health, relationships, finances, and job.
Alcoholism vs. Alcohol Abuse
Alcoholism is different than “alcohol abuse”. Alcohol abuse means that the individual drinks too much and the drinking is causing problems in various aspects of life, but the person isn’t dependent on alcohol. However, whether the person is suffering from alcoholism or alcohol abuse, they often cannot quit or cut back their drinking without profession help.
Signs and symptoms of alcoholism, which may include one or more of the following:
- drinking alone
- drinking even though it is harming health, family, school, or work
- becoming violent or hostile when drinking or asked about drinking
- unable to control drinking
- making excuses to drink
- needing to drink alcohol nearly every day to get by
- eating poorly or neglecting to eat
- not caring about dress or cleanliness
- hiding alcohol use
- having morning shakes or shaking after a period of not drinking
- Dangers and Risks of Being an Alcoholic
Excessive drinking can lower inhibition and reduce judgment, leading to behavioral problems, poor choices, and even dangerous situations. Drinking while intoxicated can lead to deadly automobile accidents. Being an alcoholic can damage or destroy family, friends, and other social relationships, lead to poor performance at school or work, and increase the likelihood of committing a serious violent crimes.
Alcohol Related Health Problems
Besides these serious dangers, alcoholism can lead to significant health problems. These include liver disorders, inflammation of the lining of the stomach, increased risk for high blood pressure, stroke, or heart attacks, diabetes complications/hypoglycemia, erectile dysfunction, menstruation problems, eye weakness or paralysis, bone loss, increased risk of certain cancers, numbness in feet and hands, dementia, short-term memory loss, and the risk of birth defects if pregnant.
Treatments and Facilities to Help Alcoholics
Because many people with alcoholism are reluctant about getting help, an intervention from loved one is often called for in order for some people to realize and accept the need to get help for an alcohol addiction. A number of approaches are available to help an alcoholic recover from alcoholism, including counseling, medications, and treatment facilities. Because each person who has an alcohol abuse problem is unique, recovery facilities specifically tailor a treatment plan that meets the special needs of the alcoholic sufferer, which may include:
- a short intervention
- an outpatient customized program
- counseling sessions
- an inpatient residential stay
- Depending on the circumstances and individual, alcoholism treatment may include:
- withdrawal and detoxification treatment
- learning behavioral modification techniques
- oral medications, like Anatbuse (disulfiram), an alcohol-desensitizing drug or Campral (Acamprosate), an drug to help with alcohol cravings
- injected medication, such as Vivitrol
- enrollment in support and coping groups
- psychological counseling for depression or anxiety
- medical treatment for alcohol-related conditions, such as liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure
- entering residential treatment programs – in patient programs for more serious alcohol problems.
Inpatient treatment at a rehabilitation facility may include additional alcoholism treatment methods, including individual and group therapy, music and art therapy, mediation, exercise, diet adjustments, acupuncture, medication, holistic therapy, alcohol recovery workshops, and after-care treatment.
Seek Help Today
If you or one of your loved ones has found themselves needing help with alcoholism, it’s important to know that you are not alone in this fight. There are a variety of successful treatment methods, facilities, and willing, compassionate, and qualified professionals to help alcoholics recover. Please contact therehabadvisor.com today and one of our knowledgable friendle staff members can assist you in finding the right treatment for you or your loved one.
