While alcoholism is debilitating for the user, the negative effects extend to those who care about the person. And while the user may be in denial about the problem, it is important to keep trying to urge the user to seek alcoholism treatment, because the disease is responsible for fatalities.
Questions to ask yourself or your loved one
- Have you ever tried to cut down on your drinking?
- Have you ever felt annoyed when someone tried to talk to you about how much/often you drink?
- Have you ever felt bad or guilty about drinking?
- Have you or do you use alcohol in the morning to calm yourself down or control your emotions?
An answer of “yes” to two or more questions indicates probable alcoholism or a negative relationship with alcohol.
The statistics on alcoholism
It may be simple for someone to dismiss arguments about having a drinking problem, but the statistics don’t lie. Five percent of Americans die of alcoholism. Ninety-five percent of those who do not receive alcoholism treatment die of alcoholism. However, ninety percent of alcoholics stay sober for the next year if they go through alcoholism treatment, regularly attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and go to aftercare once a week. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates that more than 700,000 Americans receive alcoholism treatment on any given day.
Information about alcoholism
Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive brain disease. The user makes the choice early on, but alcohol becomes the only way the user can feel normal. All addictions stimulate neuronal systems in the brain that cause pleasure. These neuronal systems kill pain and release chemicals, such as endorphins, that are more powerful than heroin. Alcoholism is genetic – forty percent of alcoholism is said to be caused by genetics and the other sixty percent is caused by factors not yet understood.
How to convince a loved one into alcoholism treatment
While the user may become defensive or angry by confrontation, it is necessary to remember that alcoholism has affected the person’s brain in much the same manner as illegal drugs. Experts recommend hiring a trained counselor to help with the confrontation, which may be difficult and mentally draining. With the counselor’s help, you can gather people who love the alcoholic and have the necessary strength to be able to confront the person and say how much the person’s alcoholism has caused hurt. Do not carry out the intervention in the alcoholic’s home. Most interventions take around an hour and end with the person going into alcoholism treatment, but sometimes, the person is not ready to be helped. When you have done all you can, know that the seeds of truth have been planted and the person may come to a realization on his own later. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous are believed to be effective because they replace the alcoholic’s social network of drinking friends with a support group and provide the alcoholic with coping skills.
By Virginia Zignego