Alcoholism

Alcoholism

The term alcoholism was first used in 1849 by Magnus Huss, a Swedish physician, who also defined it as a disease of relapse. In medicine this term has been replaced by alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence, although these days often the term alcoholism and alcohol dependence are interchangeable. Alcohol abuse is described as a situation where an individual drinks heavily enough to cause severe problems in his or her life but is not physically dependent upon alcohol. Alcohol dependence or alcoholism on the other hand, is defined as a condition where the individual is physically addicted or dependent upon alcohol and continues to drink despite increasing risk of decline in physical, social and economic wellbeing.

Alcohol abuse is serious, but without the component of physical addiction, is easier to treat. However if left untreated abuse can rapidly develop into dependence. Once alcohol abuse develops into alcohol dependence medication may be required to make it through the withdrawal period safely.

THEORIES AND FACTS

Researchers and practitioners do not agree on the cause of alcoholism and there are many theories. Amongst them – alcohol is a disease. Some say that it is an allergy. However, in the sea of theories, there are some known facts; Women are more at risk for alcoholism than men and it takes less alcohol consumption for a woman to become physically dependent upon alcohol. However there are more alcoholics that are men than there are women. A female is at a risk for becoming alcohol dependent when she drinks more than one drink a day, while for a man it is two. Also females are more at risk for developing alcoholic liver disease over time.

The effects of long term alcohol abuse are very damaging to the body – typically more so than other substance of abuse. Alcohol addiction is the third leading killer in the United States. Alcoholics often times can develop brain damage, nerve damage, kidney damage, pancreatic damage, liver damage, ulcers, sexual dysfunction, breast development in males, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, a multitude of other cancers, pancreatitis, epilepsy, anxiety, depression, dementia, and sometimes even suicidal tendencies.

Though some link the occurrence of alcoholism to genetics, it is not always predictable as to who will develop alcoholism and who won’t by looking over a family history. While there is no test to determine if a drinker is going to become an alcoholic, there are risk factors for developing alcoholism. These include but are not limited to having a close relative who is an alcoholic especially a parent, drinking at a young age, being overly depressed, placing high self-expectations on self, not knowing what ones role in life is, peer pressure, easy access to alcohol, personal anxiety or social anxiety, problems with relationships, low self-esteem, lack of parental involvement in childhood, and a stressful lifestyle.

SIGNS AND RISKS

Some signs of an alcohol abuser who potentially could become an alcoholic are; the individual continues to drink even while putting themselves at risk for consequences at work, at home with the family or financially. They often drink alone and can become violent when drinking. The individual at risk may become resentful when questioned about alcohol consumption, make excuses why they drink, and are unable to control alcohol intake. Risk factors also include blackouts(the inability to remember what happened while drinking), the need to drink on most days, developing “the shakes” when not drinking, and poor dietary habits, even to the point of not eating. The abuser may hide alcohol consumption, need to drink more and more to reach desired effect, and neglect their personal hygiene. Denial is a key sign to alcohol dependence and the person in question may deny continuously that they have a problem. While it is quite apparent to those around that there is indeed a problem.

TREATMENT AND RECOVERY

It is commonly said that there is no cure for alcoholism. There are however, effective treatments available. The first step to treatment is helping the person to recognize the problem. Because most alcoholics are in denial this may be difficult and require a meeting with family members and a counselor. These meetings are called interventions and there is even a popular TV show about them. The usual format for an intervention is family and friends coming together with a professional to confront the alcoholic. The successful intervention ends with the alcoholic leaving for treatment. Another situation that usually causes the alcoholic to admit he or she has a problem is when faced the news that there is some type of alcohol related physical condition such as an ulcer, pancreatitis or liver inflammation. Once the person recognizes and acknowledges that they are in need of help for their problem, treatment can more successfully commence. The first step in alcohol detox is to safely get the alcoholic through the withdrawal period. The acute stage of the withdrawal period starts a few hours after the last drink and lasts four to seven days with lingering effects and symptoms lasting up to a few weeks. Usually medical supervision (with medication) is required to safely bring the person through the first few days of withdrawal.

The Narconon Alcohol Rehab program is a proven way to overcome alcoholism.

If medication is prescribed beyond the withdrawal period, the individual may become physically dependent upon the medication and will need to be medically supervised in coming off of it.

In persons suffering from a fatty liver or alcoholic hepatitis conditions may actually worsen upon cessation but after a few weeks, liver function usually begins to improve and there can be complete restoration to the liver within four to six months. For people suffering from alcohol induced depression and anxiety again symptoms may increase, but after a month or two the person may feel a remarkable resurgence of mental attitude and well being usually with no medication being needed.

Immediate withdrawal symptoms range from mild, moderate to severe and include but are not limited to; mood swings, nausea, vomiting, cold and clammy skin, racing pulse, dilation of pupils, headache, nervousness, hand tremors or the shakes, nightmares, fatigue, pale skin, hallucinations, seizures, stroke, heart palpitations delirium tremens (DTS)and in extreme cases cardiac arrest. Families attempting to detox a family member at home should proceed with extreme caution and consult with physician to oversee the process. It is always safer to admit someone in alcohol withdrawal to medical facility designed specifically for treating alcohol withdrawal in an inpatient setting.

The physical withdrawal period is often times the most difficult part in obtaining abstinence. Once physical detox is complete, statistics show that for continued abstinence, follow up with some type of addiction rehabilitation center or support group is needed. There are methods available, ranging from Alcoholics Anonymous to self-cognitive therapy. There is treatment available for everyone seeking it no matter what their socio-economic status. However, all successful treatment is dependent on the individual’s determination to become permanently sober.

Alcoholism is a debilitating condition with sometimes horrific symptoms. However once a person stops drinking, often the ability of the mind and body to heal can be remarkable. The alcoholic is often times quite surprised at how much better they feel after not drinking for a few months. There is often resurgence in the quality of life for the alcoholic and their loved ones upon the cessation of drinking.

Typically one of the most difficult aspects of treatment is convincing the alcoholic that such a resurgence is possible. It is belief and hope for a better life that will get the alcoholic through, to the other side of treatment and into a better life.