A full better view towards Alcoholism

Alcoholism - Definition:

Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions to describe the detrimental effects of alcohol intake.

In common and historic usage, alcoholism refers to any condition that result in the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages despite health problems and negative social consequences

The Journal of the American Medical Association defines alcoholism as “a primary, chronic disease characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking”

The DSM-IV (the standard for diagnosis in psychiatry and psychology) defines alcohol abuse as repeated use despite recurrent adverse consequences.

It further defines alcohol dependence as alcohol abuse combined with tolerance, withdrawal, and an uncontrollable drive to drink.

According to the APA Dictionary of Psychology, alcoholism is the popular term for alcohol dependence.

Although many people assume otherwise, alcoholism is a treatable disease.

Alcoholism: Complications

Alcohol depresses your central nervous system. In some people, the initial reaction may be stimulation. Over time, excessive alcohol use can cause fatigue and short-term memory loss, as well as weakness and paralysis of your eye muscles.

Other severe health effects may include:

• Liver disorders: Drinking heavily can cause alcoholic hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver.
• Gastrointestinal problems: Alcohol can result in inflammation of the lining of the stomach (gastritis) and interfere with absorption of the B vitamins — particularly folic acid and thiamin — and other nutrients.
• Cardiovascular problems: Excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure and damage your heart muscle (cardiomyopathy).
• Diabetes complications: Alcohol prevents the release of glucose from your liver and can increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
• Sexual function and menstruation. Alcohol abuse can cause erectile dysfunction in men. In women, it can interrupt menstruation.
• Birth defects. Alcohol use during pregnancy may cause fetal alcohol syndrome. Developmental disabilities are likely as well
• Bone loss. Alcohol may interfere with the production of new bone. This can lead to thinning bones, an increased risk of fractures and it may lead to osteoporosis
• Neurological complications: Excessive drinking can affect your nervous system, causing numbness of your hands and feet, disordered thinking and dementia.
• Increased risk of cancer: Chronic alcohol abuse has been linked to a higher risk of numerous cancers, including cancer of the mouth, pharynx (throat), esophagus and other types of cancer

Each year 85,000 Americans die of alcohol-related causes. Besides medical or health effects, alcohol abuse also lead to many other nonmedical complications that are related to social burdens such as:

• A greater susceptibility to accidental injuries from other causes, especially traffic accidents.
• Domestic abuse/violence  and divorce
• Poor performance at work, school or in social contexts
• A higher incidence of suicide and murder

Alcoholism: Risk factors

• Steady drinking over time can produce a physical dependence on alcohol.
• People who begin drinking at an early age — by age 16 or earlier — are at a higher risk of alcohol dependence or abuse.
• Your genetic makeup may increase your risk of alcohol dependency.
• Men are more likely to become dependent on or abuse alcohol than are women.
• The risk of alcoholism is higher for people who had a parent or parents who abused alcohol.
• Being severely depressed or having anxiety places you at a greater risk of abusing alcohol.

How do you know that you have drinking problems?

Ask yourself these questions, if you answered yes to two or more questions, it’s likely that you have a problem with alcohol.

• Do you need a drink as soon as you get up?
• Do you have the feelings that you have to drink at a right time or right moment of a day?
• Do you feel guilty about your drinking?
• Do you think you need to cut back on your alcohol consumption?
• Are you annoyed when other people comment on or criticize your drinking habits?

Alcoholism: Treatments and drugs

Many people with alcoholism or those who abuse alcohol enter treatment reluctantly because they deny that they have a problem. Health problems or legal difficulties may prompt treatment.

Various treatments are available to help people with alcohol problems.

• The first step in treatment is to determine whether you’re alcohol dependent. If you haven’t lost control over your use of alcohol, treatment may involve reducing your drinking.
• If you aren’t dependent on alcohol but are experiencing the adverse effects of drinking, the goal of treatment is to reduce alcohol-related problems — often through counseling or a brief intervention, which usually involves alcohol-abuse specialists who can establish a specific treatment plan.
• Counseling may take many forms. With cognitive behavioral therapy, you and your therapist identify distorted thoughts and beliefs that trigger psychological stress.
• Another option may be aversion therapy, in which drinking alcohol is paired with a strong aversive response — such as nausea or vomiting induced by a medication.
• Many residential alcoholism treatment programs in the United States include abstinence, individual and group therapy, participation in alcoholism support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), educational lectures, family involvement, work assignments, activity therapy, and the use of counselors and professional staff experienced in treating alcoholism.
• Treatment for alcoholism may begin with a program of detoxification, usually taking about four to seven days.
• Psychological support and psychiatric treatment. Group and individual counseling and therapy support recovery from the psychological aspects of alcoholism.
• Emphasis on acceptance and abstinence.
• An alcohol-sensitizing drug called disulfiram (Antabuse) may be a deterrent. Disulfiram won’t cure alcoholism, nor can it remove the compulsion to drink.
• In June 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first injectable drug to treat alcohol dependence. Vivitrol, a version of the drug naltrexone, is injected in the buttocks once a month by a health care professional.
• Aftercare programs and support groups help people recovering from alcoholism or alcohol abuse abstain from drinking, manage relapses and cope with necessary lifestyle changes.

Prevention is always better than cure.
Knowing and recognizing a family history of alcoholism for you or others is an important step toward seeking treatment before alcohol use or alcohol abuse progresses to alcoholism.

Early intervention is particularly important to prevent alcohol dependence in teenagers. Alcohol use among teens increases dramatically during the high-school years and leads to serious consequences for many teens.

For young people, the likelihood of addiction depends on the influence of parents, peers and other role models, susceptibility to advertising, how early in life they begin to use alcohol, the psychological need for alcohol, and genetic factors that may predispose them to addiction.

You can help prevent teenage alcohol use. Start by setting a good example with your own alcohol use. Make sure your child understands the legal and medical consequences of drinking