Understanding Alcoholism
By Staff Writer
Alcohol abuse continues to be the number one drug problem in the United States, with more than 13 percent of adults developing a problem with alcohol abuse or addiction at some point during their lives.
Drinking alcohol is a common, popular activity that has become an integral part of society. People routinely have wine or beer with dinner and celebrate special occasions with some type of alcoholic beverage.
But at what point does casual, social drinking become a serious problem?
Why do Drinking Problems Exist?
There is no scientific explanation for why some people can drink alcohol casually without any problem and others become addicted or start abusing alcohol. Drinking problems, in general, are the result of a variety of different factors, including the following:
- Social environment
- How you were raised
- Genetics
- Emotional health
As a general rule, people who have a family history of alcoholism are far more likely to become alcoholics at some point in their lives.
In addition, people who suffer from some type of mental health disorder are also more likely to succumb to alcohol abuse or addiction. The reason for this is that many people with mental health problems are likely to use alcohol in an attempt to self-medicate and find relief from the symptoms they routinely experience.
How to Know if You have a Problem
Because social drinking is so widespread and accepted within society, it is quite often very difficult to determine whether a drinking problem actually exists.
One of the easiest ways that you can determine whether alcohol has become a problem for you is to ask yourself if drinking alcohol is causing problems in certain areas of your life. For example, if any of the following apply to you, then the odds are pretty good that you have a problem with alcohol:
- Lying to other people about your drinking habits
- Hiding the fact that you are drinking
- Routinely drinking more than you intended to
- Feelings of shame or guilt about your drinking
- You are unable to just have one drink
- You have ever blacked out or forgotten what you were doing while drinking
- You feel like you need to drink in order to be able to relax or feel comfortable
- Friends or family members are worried about your drinking
Learning the Signs and Symptoms
Alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction are two separate problems, but they both qualify as a form of alcoholism.
People who are alcohol abusers routinely consume too much alcohol, but they still have the ability to stop drinking when they choose to and they can establish limits for themselves while they are drinking.
On the other hand, people who are addicted to alcohol are dependent on the drug and are unable to establish limits or maintain control over their drinking. One of the primary warning signs of alcohol dependence is that you need more and more alcohol in order to achieve a buzz. In addition, if you can drink more than other people without getting drunk, then you can deduce that you have developed a strong tolerance for alcohol, which places you well on your way to having an addiction.
Another sign that you might have an addiction to alcohol is waking up in the morning feeling the need for a drink to steady your nerves. Also, if you begin noticing that you need to drink in order to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, then you probably have an addiction to alcohol.
Withdrawal symptoms are one of the biggest signs of alcohol addiction, so it is important to be aware of all of the symptoms associated with withdrawal from alcohol. Signs or symptoms of withdrawal include the following:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Trembling
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
Effects of Alcoholism
If left untreated, alcoholism in any of its forms will begin to erode all aspects of an addict's life. Family relationships, careers, finances and health are all eventual casualties of consuming too much alcohol if the addicted person is unwilling to admit that there is a problem.
Alcohol does a tremendous amount of damage to the human body, leading to the development of heart problems, cancer and liver disease. Social problems develop over time as well, leading to problems at work and in personal relationships with family members and friends who get tired of having to deal with the alcoholic person who is out of control.
Alcoholics and alcohol abusers are more likely to get divorced, become involved in domestic violence, lose their jobs and end up living in poverty because their drinking simply gets out of hand.
Even if family members and friends want to be supportive and help the addicted individual, that person is not always willing to acknowledge needing help. The first step toward recovery is simply admitting that a problem exists. Once that step has been taken, the addicted person can search for a suitable alcohol addiction treatment program and begin the journey of recovery.
