Alcoholism

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What is Alcoholism?

  • Alcoholism generally refers to the uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages.
  • Alcoholism can be caused by many reasons and effects the physical, mental, and social life of the individual with the disease.


Symptoms of Alcoholism

Alcohol_Consumption_Symptoms.pngLong Term Symptoms

  • Abusing alcohol over a long period of time will result in tolerance and physical dependence on alcohol. This can "prevent" the abuser from stopping using alcohol. Over long periods of time, alcohol can affect the abuser's body mentally and physically and socially.

Physical Symptoms of Long Term Alcohol Abuse

  • Cirrhosis of the Liver
  • Pancreatitis
  • Polyneuropathy
  • Dementia
  • Heart Disease
  • Malnutrition
  • Peptic Ulcers
  • Sexual Dysfunction
  • Death
  • Other Effects May Include
    • Cardiovascular Disease
    • Malabsorption
    • Liver Disease
    • Cancer
    • Damage to the Nervous System
  • Women suffer more from long term alcohol abuse than men.
    • Women suffer from an increased risk of breast cancer and may experience anovulation, decreased ovarian mass, problems with the menstrual cycle and early menopause.

Mental Symptoms of Long Term Alcohol Abuse

  • Anxiety
  • Depression (most common)
  • Psychosis
  • Confusion
  • Organic Brain Syndrome
  • Panic Disorder
  • Women alcoholics tend to suffer the most from:
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Panic Disorder
    • Bulimia
    • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Male alcoholics tend to suffer the most from:
    • Narcissism
    • Anti-Social Personality Disorder
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Impulse Disorders
    • ADD
    • ADHD

Social Symptoms of Long Term Alcohol Abuse

  • Child Abuse
  • Domestic Violence
  • Rape
  • Burglary
  • Assault
  • Loss of Employment/Financial Issues
  • Drunk Driving
  • Marriage Problems
  • Child Neglect
    • Children of alcoholics may create poor images of themselves which could lead to depression in their future.


Causes of Alcoholism

  • Even though alcoholism has many causes, the most common causes of the disease are:
    • heredity
    • broken homes
    • psychiatric disorders
    • traumatizing events in the past
  • People related to an alcoholic are 50% more likely to become an alcoholic when they grow older.
  • Alcoholism develops over a timely period because of the changing of the chemical makeup of the brain.
    • This timely period can be as little as a few months, to as long as a few years.


Risk Factors

  • Being a Male
  • Peer Pressure
  • Smoking
  • Spending a Lot of Time With People Who Abuse Alcohol


Diagnosis

  • When an alcoholic admits to themselves that they have a problem, which is the first step to recovery, they must consult a doctor to receive a proper diagnosis.
  • When the individual consults the doctor, he or she receives a family history and physical exam, as well as surveys to determine alcohol abuse and alcoholism.
  • Liver function tests are also taken, as well as blood tests.
    • Blood tests only show recent alcohol consumption however.
  • After a diagnosis is received, treatment is required.


Treatment

  • One major treatment of alcoholism is detoxification. Detoxification is the sudden stop of all alcohol use, with other drugs substituted in its place to prevent symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Detoxification does not entirely treat alcoholism however, and it is highly recommended to add another form of treatment as well as detoxification.
  • Another form of alcoholism treatment is psychotherapy. A primary example of psychotherapy is Alcoholics Anonymous, which is the largest and one of the first organizations to provide nonprofessional counseling for alcoholics who are seeking treatment. Alcoholics Anonymous sessions consist of men and women with similar experience who share the hope and desire to stop drinking, as well as a councilor or councilors who can help everyone achieve sobriety. There are no requirements to join Alcoholics Anonymous, except for the desire to quit drinking. During Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, alcoholics and alcohol abusers meet with other people who are of similar characteristics to discuss their issues and continue together, down the road to sobriety.
  • Medications also exists that can aid an alcoholic when he or she desires to become sober.
  • Once an alcoholic begins treatment, it is necessary for the family and friends of the alcoholic to support his/her decision to stop drinking, because without support, it will be very easy for the individual to relapse.
  • Once an alcoholic achieves permanent sobriety, it is absolutely imperative that he or she stays off alcohol permanently, without even drinking a small amount, because it will cause a relapse.