Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a very serious, powerful, and potentially fatal disease. Because of its ability to weaken inhibitions and provide a sense of comfort, the consumption of alcohol in social situations is common across cultures, age groups, and time periods. However, for some, social drinking turns into a private obsession that quickly takes control of many aspects of their life. Here we will identify the key elements so that you can determine whether or not the person you are concerned about is an alcoholic. The proper methods of intervention, treatment, and recovery can be very successful in helping an alcoholic regain a feeling of normalcy and balance in their life.

The Alcohol Intervention page provides more detailed information about the intervention process.

Alcoholism as a Disease. Until the 20th century, alcoholism was not considered a disease. Alcoholics were often perceived to be bad people; they were the targets of religious and criminal reform programs, and, when these programs failed as they often did, they were incarcerated or socially ostracized. In 1956, however, the American Medical Association classified alcoholism as a disease, and addicts are no longer perceived as bad people, but as sick people in need of professional help. Below is a comprehensive description of what the medical community has come to understand about the symptoms and effects of this serious problem.

Physical Addiction. The first and possibly the most misunderstood element of Alcoholism is the physical reaction to alcohol that separates the Alcoholic from the non-Alcoholic. Physical Alcohol Addiction occurs when an individual consumes a certain amount of alcohol over a period of time, and they begin to experience physical withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop or moderate. These physical withdrawal symptoms include shaking, nausea, diarrhea, profuse sweating, achy joints, inability to hold down food, and vomiting. Unless the person suffering from the physical Alcohol Addiction is directed into treatment through an intervention and given proper detoxification care, they will not be strong enough to get through the physical withdrawal symptoms on their own.

Psychological Addiction. Psychological addiction is believed to originate from the dopaminergic reward system. In other words, the mind sends a positive reinforcement signal of “good” when the Alcohol is consumed. The mind then becomes addicted to the reward signal while the body may or may not also be physically addicted to the substance itself. Alcoholics often become obsessed with trying to regain the feeling they get from drinking. Even addicts with the best intentions of quitting will find their minds dominated by thoughts of how to achieve the next drink. Unless their Alcohol Addiction is treated professionally, the temptation will likely be too strong to resist alone, and they will return to drinking.

Behavior Patterns. In the beginning stages of Alcoholism, the Alcoholic might be able to maintain a job, a home, and a social life. Often, alcoholics are very bright people who appear to be successful or have a tremendous amount of potential. However, when the individual crosses the line into addiction, alcoholism becomes the dominant force in their life, taking priority over family relationships, career, social life, physical health, and everything they may have once loved. Unfortunately, Alcoholism often takes its greatest toll on those who are close to the addict and who are forced to watch them continue on a path of self-destruction.

Withdrawal Symptoms of Alcoholism. Some of the physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms of Alcoholism are:

• Loss of Control
• Tolerance (needing to drink greater quantities of alcohol over time to get the same effect. In very late stages of Alcoholism, their tolerance drops as a result of liver disease.)
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Shakiness
• Profuse Sweating – Hot/Cold Sweats
• Delirium Tremens (a.k.a. "The DT's"). The symptoms of "The DT's" include confusion, disorientation and agitation. Other common symptoms include intense hallucinations such as visions of insects, snakes, or rats.
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Tremors

Treatment for Alcoholism. Treatment is usually a 3-step process.

• Alcohol Intervention – Alcohol Intervention is an orchestrated attempt by one or, often, many people (usually family and friends in conjunction with an intervention expert) to persuade an individual to seek professional help with their Alcohol Addiction.
• Alcohol Detox – After your loved one accepts help during the Alcohol Intervention, they will be placed in a detox facility that specializes in guiding them through the withdrawal process. This enables the addict to gain physical sobriety in the safest and most effective way possible.
• Alcohol Treatment - Once the detox process has been completed, they will be transported to a treatment facility that specializes in rehabilitation of Alcohol addicts. At this facility, professionals oversee the rehabilitation process to ensure that your loved one is assisted through the treatment program.

If you know someone suffering from Alcoholism, please contact us now. In some cases, Alcoholics may secretly recognize that they have a problem, but do not know where to turn for help or are too ashamed to admit it. They feel an overpowering sense of humiliation, weakness, and failure, which also inhibits their ability to ask for help. A professionally guided intervention is often the most effective way of getting them into treatment for this serious illness.