Alcoholism is a dangerous and devastating disease that can take over your life or the life of someone else you know. The craving an alcoholic feels for alcohol can be as strong as the need for food and water. Alcoholics have powerful cravings and an uncontrollable need for alcohol, making it almost impossible for them to stop drinking. People who suffer with alcoholism almost always need help in order to recover from this illness.
There are many factors that contribute to someone developing alcoholism. Some individuals have a genetic tendency for alcoholism. People that have a history of alcoholism in their family should take extra precautions with alcohol to make sure they do not fall under this disease. There are also other factors that contribute to developing alcoholism, such as family, friends, peer pressure, culture, and where you live. Everyone should be careful to not become an alcoholic, but some may be in a situation where it is even more difficult for them to resist drinking.
Alcoholism is a disease that hurts so many people besides the actual alcoholic. Family, friends, and others suffer along with the person who is addicted. Here are the major symptoms of alcoholism.
- Cravings: having strong urges or feeling a need to drink.
- Loss of control: not being able to stop drinking once it has started.
- Physical dependence: withdrawal symptoms – nausea, sweating, anxiety, etc. after drinking has stopped.
- Tolerance: needing to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get the same desired feeling.
Alcoholism is a disease that can be treated, but not cured. Even after an alcoholic has stopped drinking and hasn’t been drinking for a long time, that individual may still suffer a relapse. For this reason, it’s important after a person drinking to continue to avoid all alcoholic beverages in order to guard against a relapse into alcoholism.
There are many treatment programs out there to help those battling with alcoholism. These programs generally use counseling and medication to help an individual stop drinking. Many people have been able to take back their lives and rebuild with the help of alcohol treatment centers. However, like any chronic disease, alcoholism treatment does not have a 100 percent success rate. Some people are able to stop completely, while others continue drinking. But treatment usually helps, because the longer a person goes without alcohol, the more likely that person is to stay sober.
Chances are, either you yourself have problems with alcoholism or you know someone who does. In either case, there is help available. Someone who suffers from alcoholism can’t be forced into getting the help they need; however, there are steps loved ones can take to help an alcoholic get treatment. Some of these suggested steps are to stop all “cover ups,” tell the alcoholic specifics such as how worried you are about them, and finding strength in numbers. Each alcoholic is different, but each one needs help for themselves and their loved ones. By calling a treatment center, you can find information about alcoholism, advice on treatment options, and how to help someone in need.
By Janelle Walker