|
|
Alcohol Addiction
Despite the focus on drugs, alcohol remains the number one drug problem in the United States. According to community surveys, over 13 percent of adults in the United States will experience alcohol abuse or dependency at some point in life.
Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease which can be fatal if left untreated. It is characterized by:
- A preoccupation with alcohol
- Impaired control over consumption
- A tolerance to alcohol
- Withdrawal symptoms when it is taken away
While alcoholism usually involves a physical dependence on alcohol, genetic, psychological and social factors contribute to the addiction as well.
Other indications of alcoholism include:
- Drinking alone or in secret
- Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
- Not remembering conversations or commitments (blacking out)
- Making a ritual of having drinks before, with or after dinner and becoming annoyed when this ritual is disturbed or questioned
- Losing interest in activities and hobbies that use to bring pleasure
- Feeling a need or compulsion to drink
- Irritability when your usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol isn't available
- Keeping alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work or in the car
- Gulping drinks, ordering doubles, becoming intoxicated intentionally to feel good or drinking to feel 'normal'
- Having legal problems or problems with relationships, employment or finances
- Building a tolerance to alcohol so that you need an increasing number of drinks to feel alcohol's effects
- Experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms (nausea, sweating and shaking) if you don't drink
 Alcohol addiction, the physical dependence on alcohol, occurs gradually as drinking alcohol alters brain chemistry. Alcohol also raises the levels of dopamine in the brain, which is associated with the pleasurable aspects of drinking alcohol. Excessive, long-term drinking can deplete or increase the levels of some of these chemicals, causing your body to crave alcohol to restore good feelings or to avoid negative feelings.
Some factors that can lead to excessive drinking include:
- Genetic vulnerability
- Stress and trauma
- Psychological problems
- Cultural mores
For many different reasons, a great majority of alcoholics go unrecognized. These hindrances include:
- Individual's ability to hide amount and frequency of drinking
- Individual's denial
- Family member's denial and attempt to minimize problems; shielding the alcoholic from adverse consequence or taking over family or economic responsibilities
Because alcoholism is a diverse disease, signs and symptoms often vary from person to person. However, there are certain behaviors and signs that will be similar across the board. These include:
- Insomnia
- Frequent falls
- Blackouts
- Chronic depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Absence at work or school
- Loss of employment
- Financial difficulties
- Frequent intoxicated appearance or behavior
Late signs and symptoms of chronic alcoholism include medical conditions such as:
- Pancreatitis
- Gastritis
- Cirrhosis
- Neuropathy
- Anemia
- Cerebellar atrophy
- Alcoholic cardiomyopathy (heart disease)
- Wernicke's encephalopathy (abnormal brain functioning)
- Korasakoff's dementia
- Central pontine myelinolysis (brain degeneration)
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Malnutrition
- Hallucinations
- Peptic Ulcers
If your loved one is in need of help and you don't know where to turn, let FRN Intervention Services help bring you a step closer to the light at the end of the tunnel.
Email Us
We are here to listen. If you have any questions about the services we offer or would like more information about us, please fill out the form below and a representative will contact you shortly.
All information is considered private and confidential.
|
|
