Alcoholism, is a serious, self destructive disease that effects 14 million men and women. Men however, are five times more likely to develop alcoholism. If the problem is left untreated the end results could be a loss of family, friends, employment, and eventually their own life.
Not everyone is an alcoholic. There are three type of drinkers. 1. The casual drinker. 2. The alcohol abuser. 3. The alcoholic. The difference between them is that the casual or social drinker, drinks in slow moderation. An alcohol abuser is someone who drinks in excess but knows when they have had enough. An alcoholic is someone who drinks in excessively and doesn’t know when to stop.
What are the cases of alcoholism? The causes of alcoholism are genetics, mental and emotional stress, and chemical imbalance in the brain. Genetics play a major role in determining whether or not a person may or may not become an alcoholic. Almost half of all alcoholics inherited a gene that is carried by either parent who are alcoholics themselves. The chemical imbalance in the brain occurs when a person is a habitual drinker consumes alcohol causing a changes of chemicals in the brain The emotional and mental stress part is where the alcoholic uses the alcohol to block out emotional pain caused by either the death of a family member, stress from work, finances, or marital or relationship problems.
Psychological problems such as low self esteem and depression is known to make a person with alcoholic tendencies to have the need to drink.
How can you tell if someone you know is an alcoholic? The signs and symptoms of alcoholism are according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism are :
1. Craving-a strong need to drink.
2. Loss of Control- not being able to stop drinking one the drinking has begun.
3. Physical Dependence-withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, shakiness, sweating, and anxiety, after the drinking has stopped.
4. Tolerance- Is the need to drink greater amount of alcohol to get help.
The effects of alcoholism proves to be fatal if left untreated. Some of the effects of alcoholism are changes in personality. The alcoholic becomes either quiet and depressed or angry and argumentative.
The severe medical effects of alcoholism are done to the organs such as the liver, heart, and stomach and brain. It is also causes certain terminal diseases such as cancer. The types of cancer caused by alcoholism are: cervical, vaginal, breast, both upper digestive and airway as well as esophageal. Some other effects caused by alcoholism are: Osteoporosis, cirrhosis of the liver, fatty liver, heart disease, stroke, muscle deterioration, ARDS a type of lung failure called Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, high blood pressure, ulcers, loss of verbal and intellectual skills.
During pregnancy, the effect of alcohol if drank in small amounts, can have a negative affect causing the mother to miscarry . However if the pregnancy is carried to tern, the effects on the child will have a condition of mental and growth retardation called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
To treat alcoholism, the alcoholic must realize that he of she may have a problem. Then and only they can the programs work. They must also seek medical attention from either a doctor, psychiatrist, or both. They must also attend meetings at either Alcoholics Anonymous or some other program private or one that an employer assists the alcoholic in getting the help they need.
There are also programs for the families of alcohols to attend. They are ala-non, ala-teen for children ages 12-20, and Adult Children of Alcoholics these three programs along with Alcoholics Anonymous can be found in your local churches. Or you can call 1-800-662-4357
