 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Alcoholism
Overview and Facts
Alcohol is a depressant that affects the central nervous system. It is rapidly absorbed in the stomach, small intestine and bloodstream. Alcohol can be addictive, given certain genetic or environmental conditions. The need to drink more is the result of the body’s increased tolerance for alcohol and the phenomenon of cravings. The development of alcoholism is an insidious process, meaning that it occurs slowly and can be undetected in its early stages. A person can take years to become an alcoholic. By the time this occurs, denial has firmly taken root. The label “alcoholic” depends upon a person’s response to alcohol and not just the amounts consumed. Alcohol consumption is only one aspect of the alcoholic profile. Emotional, physical, psychological, and psychosocial factors are also influenced by alcohol intake. Women and children require less alcohol in their systems than men to develop alcoholism. Regardless, alcohol is directly related to increased risk of severe health problems such as liver disease (cirrhosis), strokes, cardiomyopathy, brain damage, and birth defects, to name a few. Alcohol has been linked to over 60 diseases. Violent behavior and increased risks of serious injuries are often byproducts of alcohol consumption. Nearly 17.6 million Americans, or 1 in 12 adults (not including adolescents or teens), have alcohol abuse problems. Even the occasional over-use of alcohol can be problematic. Binge drinking kills 79,000 Americans a year, making it a leading preventable cause of death in this country! An interesting study recently illustrated that “binge drinking increases with household income.” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) Alcohol Abuse FactsAlcohol abuse means that a person drinks too much, drinks too often, and has problems that can be linked to alcohol intake. Some people can have an alcohol abuse problem without being a full alcoholic. But do not be deceived, as the line between abuse and addiction is not solid and the transition from one to the other is easy. People who abuse alcohol still suffer from many of the same issues as someone who has fully entered alcoholism. Just like drug abuse, alcohol abuse affects people of all races and ages. For many, the need to deny alcohol abuse or addiction will lead them to a variety of behaviors to maintain the façade of normalcy. Claiming that, “I never drink in the morning,” or, “I only drink beer, and that is not alcohol” are typical of an individual in denial or trying to dissuade others. The truth of the problem will generally manifest itself whether the alcoholic or abusive drinker chooses to admit the problem or not. Research has found that people who abuse or are dependent upon alcohol are 18 times more likely to report non-medical use of prescription drugs (NIDA, March 2008). Over the course of time, the levels of alcohol intake increases. The once light and joyful experience of those first drinks no longer applies. The more a person drinks, the more a person needs to drink. People who abuse alcohol are unable to limit their intake of alcohol; without help, they will generally return to abusing alcohol. Like alcoholics, people who abuse alcohol generally need to abstain from drinking completely to return to a healthy life. Suicide rate among alcoholics is three times that of the regular public. Alcoholism Alcoholism, like drug addiction, is a chronic disease of the mind and the body. It is a life-long disease that requires regular attention. Just like other chronic diseases, such as asthma or diabetes, alcoholism can be treated, and abstinence maintained, but it cannot be cured. Alcoholism destroys the brain, damages the nervous system, is harmful to many organs, and leaves a person susceptible to diseases like cancer. Alcoholism can destroy one’s life, including the ability to work or succeed in school and to maintain healthy relationships. Furthermore, alcoholism is considered a family disease. Children of active alcoholics are at greater risk of repeating the pattern of addiction in their own lives. Stages of Alcoholism Alcoholism is a progressive disease worsening over time. The progression can be slow or rapid depending upon the individual. Generally, the stages are group into categories with differing characteristics. For most people, social drinking remains just that drinking modestly among friends--a casual drink in a restaurant or a cocktail before dinner. Anything that remains below two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women is considered acceptable consumption. The real determination is how the body processes the alcohol and how the individual handles the ingestion E.M. Jellinek, a researcher, studied alcoholism and addiction for many decades and charted out the progression of alcoholism. His research has been used for decades in defining alcoholic progressions. Below are the phases and the characteristics that fall within each phase. Stages of Alcoholism
Jellinek determined that there were five different types of alcoholics. He assigned each group a Greek letter: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, or Epsilon. He pioneered the concept that defines alcoholism as a disease. Five Groups of Alcoholics
If you are suffering from an addiction, we can help you get the alcohol addiction treatment you desperately need. Addiction411. Our 24-hour helpline is dedicated to helping you or a loved one stop drinking now. CALL 1-888-221-5866. |
 |
|
 |
