ALCOHOLISM

DEFINED

Alcoholism is a disease which there is impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with alcohol, continued use of alcohol in the face of adverse consequences and distorted thinking.

Generally speaking, alcoholism is repeated drinking that causes trouble in the drinker's personal, professional, family or school life. When alcoholics drink, they can't always predict when they'll stop, how much they'll drink or what the consequences of their drinking will be. Denial of the negative effects of alcohol in their lives is common among alcoholics and those close to them.

SYMPTOMS

1. Drinking alone or in secret
2. Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
3. Not remembering conversations or commitments, sometimes referred to as "blacking out"
4. Making a ritual of having drinks before, with or after dinner and becoming annoyed when this ritual is disturbed or questioned
5. Losing interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring pleasure
6. Feeling a need or compulsion to drink
7. Irritability when your usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol isn't available
8. Keeping alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work or in the car
9. Gulping drinks, ordering doubles, becoming intoxicated intentionally to feel good or drinking to feel "normal"
10. Having legal problems or problems with relationships, employment or finances
11. Building a tolerance to alcohol so that you need an increasing number of drinks to feel alcohol's effects
12. Experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating and shaking — if you don't drink

HEALTH RISKS

Heavy and chronic, or long lasting, drinking can result in serious damage to the liver, heart, brain and other vital organs. Such severe physical damage may be irreversible and could result in serious illnesses, injury or even death.

GETTING HELP
Many individuals are in denial, justify or rationalize their alcoholism.

DENIAL SAYS:
It’s not a problem because:

1. I only drink beer, not hard liquor.
2. I never drink before 5 PM.
3. I can stop whenever I want to.
4. I never miss a day of work.
5. I drink, but I don't really get drunk.
6. It was ok to drink so much yesterday because I had an awful day at work.
7. It was ok to drink so much yesterday because it was a party.

JUSTIFICATIONS:

1. I have to hide some of my drinking from my spouse because (s)he’s so controlling.
2. I just feel like avoiding my family these days because they are so critical.
3. I'm a good driver. I've never had an accident after a couple of drinks.
4. Hangover days are really just the same as any other sick day.

RATIONALIZATIONS:

1. Work problems are the fault of your boss or your coworkers.
2. Problems at home are the fault of your spouse, or other family members.
3. Problems in friendships and relationships are there because they are all too critical or unreasonable or controlling.

If you or a loved one may be suffering from the effects of alcoholism, call Alpine Treatment Services today.

RELATED ARTICLES
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1907408,00.html
http://wcbstv.com/topstories/dwi.mom.hampton.2.1129260.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/fashion/16drunk.html?_r=2&ref=style

Source(s): National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), the FDA
Proper treatment for alcoholism is effective.

>back to top