Saturday, February 21, 2009

The Disease of Alcoholism

By Dave Owen

Do you or someone that you know deny the presence of a drinking problem. Even when all the signs say that alcohol is at the root of major life problems. Cravings for alcohol and an inability to limit or stop the flow of alcohol are both earmarks of a drinking problem. They are signs that the individual is probably suffering from a disease called alcoholism. A disease that is chronic in nature and one that can have severe health, financial and relationship consequences.

There is commonly denial on the part of the drinker that a true trouble exists concerning alcohol and health issues. Or issues that include financial problems or relationship issues. All these problems may stem from the drinking habits. Anybody with a disease that impairs thinking is going to make bad decisions. Or they may effort to cover up the problem out of embarrassment or for other reasons. They may try to fight against getting help if doing so means doing without the thing they crave the most - alcohol. A person may actually want to stop drinking or at least has a desire to limit the consumption. But they are unable to do so without help. If this person is a male, there is a higher probability that there will be a lag time between when he realizes he needs help and when he will admit the idea that he must actively accept help. This is not unlike other scenarios when it comes to admitting that there may be a "disease" involved. Although it is more common in males to have a difficult time going for medical help, female drinkers can also have difficulty coming to terms with the facts. The fact that they may have a disease when it comes to alcohol consumption. Alcoholism involves a drug and the drug is alcohol. This is a very addictive drug and addictions can be very difficult to beat.

Individuals that associate with the drinker may find it far easier to blame the drinker for the problems that arise as a result of the drinking instead of being able to have compassion for a person suffering from a disease. If a person has physical symptoms like paralysis or an amputee it becomes easier to see why the individual is in need of medical intervention and healing. When the disease requires a little more investigative work in order to connect the health consequences or signs and symptoms of the disease then those who are in contact with the person suffering from alcoholism must look beyond the raised glass in order to see and understand the disease.

Alcoholism treatment starts with recognizing the signs and symptoms, getting past the denial phase, and realizing that the truth must be accepted. Once this happens, the individual may take on the idea they may need medical treatment and psychological counseling. This is the usual combination that is involved when treating the individual with alcoholism.

Signs and symptoms of alcoholism:

Strong Cravings for alcohol that cannot be denied

A strong need to drink at specific times or after certain events (like after dinner)

The experiences of needing to drink more alcohol than previously in order to achieve the same level of intoxication that brings with it a sense of "normalcy" or "good feeling". This is called tolerance.

The ability to consume large quantities of alcohol rapidly without appearing to be intoxicated

Having "blackouts" in which the individual is unable to remember conversations or commitments made while drinking

A loss of interest in activities or hobbies that typically was important to the individual prior to the increase in alcohol consumption

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