Alcoholism
INTRODUCTION
The term "Alcoholism" refers to a disease known as alcohol dependence syndrome, the most severe stage of a group of drinking problems which begins with binge drinking and alcohol abuse.
There are many signs and symptoms related to drinking problems. Alcoholism is considered a progressive disease, meaning that the symptoms and effects of drinking alcohol become increasingly more severe over time.
Those who use alcohol may begin to show early signs of a problem, then progress to showing symptoms of alcohol abuse; if drinking continues, they may later show symptoms of alcoholism or alcohol dependence.
Early signs of alcoholism include frequent intoxication, an established pattern of heavy drinking and drinking in dangerous situations, such as when driving. Other early signs of alcoholism include black-out drinking or a drastic change in demeanor while drinking, such as consistently becoming angry or violent.
SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOL ABUSEThe main symptom of alcohol abuse occurs when someone continues to drink after their drinking reaches a level that causes recurrent problems. Continuing to drink after it causes someone to miss work, drive drunk, shirk responsibilities or get in trouble with the law is considered alcohol abuse.
SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOLISMFor someone who is alcoholic or alcohol dependent, the symptoms include all of those associated with alcohol abuse (above). But alcoholics also continue to drink in spite of all the problems it has caused in their lives.
When alcohol abuse reaches the alcohol dependence stage, the person also experiences at least three of seven other symptoms, including neglect of other activities, excessive use of alcohol, impaired control of alcohol consumption, persistence of alcohol use, large amounts of time spent in alcohol-related activities, withdrawal symptoms and tolerance of alcohol.
Alcoholism is also disabling addictive disorder. It is characterized by compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol despite its negative effects on the drinker's health, relationships, and social standing. Like other drug addictions, alcoholism is medically defined as a treatable disease.
The term alcoholism is widely used, and was first coined in 1849 by Magnus Huss, but in medicine the term was replaced by the concepts of "alcohol abuse" and "alcohol dependence" in the 1980s DSM III. (The term alcohol dependence is sometimes used as a synonym for alcoholism, sometimes in a narrower sense.) Similarly in 1979 an expert World Health Organization committee disfavored the use of "alcoholism" as a diagnostic entity, preferring the category of "alcohol dependence syndrome".In the 19th and early 20th centuries, alcohol dependence was called dipsomania before the term "alcoholism" replaced it.
The Biological mechanisms underpinning alcoholism are uncertain, however, risk factors include social environment, stress, mental health, genetic predisposition, age, ethnic group, and sex. Long-term alcohol abuse produces physiological changes in the brain such as tolerance and physical dependence. Such brain chemistry changes maintain the alcoholic's compulsive inability to stop drinking and result in alcohol withdrawal syndrome upon discontinuation of alcohol consumption. Alcohol damages almost every organ in the body, including the brain; because of the cumulative toxic effects of chronic alcohol abuse, the alcoholic risks suffering a range of medical and psychiatric disorders.
Alcoholism is the cyclic presence of tolerance, withdrawal, and excessive alcohol use; the drinker's inability to control such compulsive drinking, despite awareness of its harm to his or her health, indicates that the person might be an alcoholic. Questionnaire-based screening is a method of detecting harmful drinking patterns, including alcoholism. Alcohol detoxification is conducted to withdraw the alcoholic person from drinking alcohol, usually with cross-tolerance drugs, e.g. benzodiazepines to manage withdrawal symptoms. Post-medical care, such as group therapy, or self-help groups, usually is required to maintain alcoholic abstention. Often, alcoholics also are addicted to other drugs, most often benzodiazepines, which might require additional medical treatment.
Thombs (1999) states according to behavioral sciences alcoholism is described as a “maladaptive behaviour”. He explains this must not be confused with “misbehavior”. Behavioral scientists explain that addicts have a behavior pattern, which may lead to destructive consequences for themselves, their families and society. It is important to note that this is not labelling addicts as bad or irresponsible. The alcoholic woman is more sensitive to alcohol's deleterious physical, cerebral, and mental effects, and increased social stigma, in relation to a man, for being an alcoholic. The World Health Organization estimates that there are 140 million alcoholics worldwide.
Alcohol addiction, or alcoholism, is a debilitative addiction in which a person must habitually drink alcohol despite the severe impact on that person's health, job and personal relationships. In extreme cases, a person will even drink non-potable products that contain alcohol such as cleaning agents and mouthwash. Like other drug dependencies, alcohol addiction is treatable. Notable personalities who have suffered from alcohol addiction include Dean Martin, Stephen King, Eddie Van Halen, Lindsay Lohan and David Hasselhoff. All have sought assistance in dealing with their condition, experiencing varying degrees of success.
While there is a genetic predisposition to developing alcohol addiction, a person does not need to have a family history of the addiction in order to develop it. Alcoholism worsens over time as the presence of alcohol in the body causes changes in the brain and other body organs. A person is both able to tolerate more alcohol over time and his body becomes dependent on it in order to function. Shakes, or delirium tremens, will develop over time and can only by overcome by the introduction of more alcohol into the system.
The most common treatment for alcoholism is group therapy, as evidenced by the popular group Alcoholics Anonymous. Doctors are also able to provide medications such as antabuse to curb usage. In the absence of treatment, however, a person suffering from alcohol addiction will typically develop negative medical conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver, epilepsy, alcoholic dementia and pancreatitis. The social effects of alcoholism are often just as severe, with loss of jobs and families being common scenarios.
Cause, Incidence, and Risk Factors
There is no known cause of alcohol abuse or alcoholism. Research suggests that certain genes may increase the risk of alcoholism, but which genes and how they work are not known.
How much you drink can influence your chances of becoming dependent. Those at risk for developing alcoholism include:
- Men who have 15 or more drinks a week
- Women who have 12 or more drinks a week
- Anyone who has five or more drinks per occasion at least once a week
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