ALCOHOLISM

Symptoms

Alcoholism is the disease in which a person is addicted to alcohol. According to the National Council on Alcoholism, twelve million Americans are estimated to be alcoholics, and they may exhibit different symptoms. An alcoholic may not drink for months or even years, but when they do, they cannot stop. This is the only sure sign of an alcoholic, a consistent lack of control. Many use alcohol to boost their self-confidence and to relax around others. They may drink to forget their problems or to relieve stress and often want just one more drink, even when their friends have stopped drinking. As the alcoholism progresses, they may begin having financial, work, or family problems. An alcoholic may get drunk without planning to and make promises to limit or stop drinking, but fail. They may also lie about their drinking, sneak drinks at work or school, have blackouts, go through personality changes, or drink in the morning to cure a hangover. After a period of time, they may develop physical symptoms, such as malnourishment from not eating regularly, violent shakes, hallucinations, or convulsions when they don't have alcohol in their systems. They may also experience paranoia, unnatural fears, or contemplate suicide. Alcoholism is a serious disease that is best handled if stopped in its early stages. If you or someone you know has a drinking problem, seek medical help immediately.

Problem Drinking

Alcoholism is the disease in which a person is addicted to alcohol. According to the National Council on Alcoholism, twelve million Americans are estimated to be alcoholics, and they may exhibit different symptoms. An alcoholic may not drink for months or even years, but when they do, they cannot stop. This is the only sure sign of an alcoholic, a consistent lack of control. Many use alcohol to boost their self-confidence and to relax around others. They may drink to forget their problems or to relieve stress and often want just one more drink, even when their friends have stopped drinking. As the alcoholism progresses, they may begin having financial, work, or family problems. An alcoholic may get drunk without planning to and make promises to limit or stop drinking, but fail. They may also lie about their drinking, sneak drinks at work or school, have blackouts, go through personality changes, or drink in the morning to cure a hangover. After a period of time, they may develop physical symptoms, such as malnourishment from not eating regularly, violent shakes, hallucinations, or convulsions when they don't have alcohol in their systems. They may also experience paranoia, unnatural fears, or contemplate suicide. Alcoholism is a serious disease that is best handled if stopped in its early stages. If you or someone you know has a drinking problem, seek medical help immediately.

Living with an alcoholic

Living with an alcoholic can be very difficult and can affect the entire family. In the beginning, denial takes the form of excuses given to bosses, colleagues, or friends about the alcoholic's behavior. Spouses may lie or cover up for lateness, missed appointments, or irresponsibility. In this way, families learn to be enablers, helping the alcoholic to continue drinking.

The pattern of denial and enabling becomes so entrenched that family members lose their own perspective. The alcoholic may make many promises that he or she will quit drinking. These attempts often fail. The spouse may feel suspicion, anger, and despair, while the alcoholic may feel like a failure and continue to drink. As a result, the environment of the home can become a deeply unhappy one; this is why alcoholism is called "the family disease."

The most helpful thing that a spouse, family members, and friends can do for the alcoholic is to stop enabling him or her. For alcoholics to admit that they have a problem, they must see that they are powerless over alcohol and that their lives have become unmanageable because of it. However, it is difficult to reach this point if the people around them protect them from the consequences of their actions. Every crisis in their lives - a missed work day, a crucial blackout, a child's forgotten birthday - is a chance for alcoholics to see what alcohol is doing to their lives.

Treatment of Alcoholism

Only when an alcoholic admits there is a drinking problem will he or she be ready to stop drinking. Once the person admits they have a problem and need help, the next few days will be crucial. As the alcohol begins to leave the system, the alcoholic may experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can vary depending on how far the disease has progressed. Symptoms may include anxiety, nausea, hallucinations, seizures, nightmares, memory loss, balance problems, moodiness, and delirium tremens (dee-LEER-ee-um TREHmens),
known as "D.T.'s." Most withdrawal symptoms occur during the first six months of recovery. Some people may need hospitalization and medication to relieve withdrawal symptoms. Others may receive help by joining groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, where they have the support of other recovering alcoholics. They may also choose to seek private counseling. Alcoholism is not a curable affliction, so the possibility of relapse lasts a lifetime. With treatment, it's possible to learn to lead a normal, happy life without alcohol.

For more information about alcoholism, contact a health care professional. You may also contact a counselor at the BABBCENTER at 824.3772 or 800.458.1755 for additional help and support.