Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse

In America, alcohol tends to be our drug of choice. The wide social acceptance of alcohol and its important place in society may leave you with questions about knowing when you have an alcohol problem. This drug tends to be a double edged sword—it can lend helpful social lubrication and fun in certain contexts, but its abuse and the problems it can cause are always lurking in the shadows.

What is Alcoholism?

Is someone who drinks a lot an alcoholic? Perhaps, but that’s certainly not the only sign of alcoholism. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism identifies alcoholism as a disease with four symptoms.

  • Craving: Fixating on drinking; thinking often about when you can drink next; having a strong urge or need to drink.
  • Physical Dependence: When a person with alcohol dependence stops drinking, they experience physical withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, sickness, anxiety, and shaking.
  • Loss of Control: Being unable to stop or curb drinking after you’ve started.
  • Tolerance: Over time, more and more alcohol is needed to obtain the same sense of euphoria.

Is It a Disease?

Some people may be skeptical that alcohol is a “disease” in the sense that diabetes or high blood pressure is a disease. Alcoholism has all the characteristics of other, more “obvious” diseases, however. Just as a person might have a genetic predisposition for other diseases, they can be genetically predisposed to becoming an alcoholic.

An alcoholic’s need for alcohol can be strong and uncontrollable, leading them to drink even if it is causing serious problems in their life. There are predictable symptoms of alcoholism, and its normal course is easily predicted. Alcoholism is chronic, and people with an alcohol dependence must live with this fact for the course of their lives. Even a sober alcoholic may still relapse and become dependent on alcohol again.

How Can Alcoholism Be Treated?

Although there is no cure for alcoholism, there are effective treatments. Counseling has been shown to help individuals get off the bottle and restructure their lives. There are also several medications that have been shown to help alcohol dependence.

Dilsulfram, naltrexone, and acamprosate are three oral medications that help alcoholics avoid heavy drinking, end their dependency, and remain sober long-term. These three work in different ways to discourage drinking. Disulfram makes a person feel ill after drinking, naltrexone alters brain chemistry to reduce cravings for alcohol, and acamprosate helps with long-term anxiety and sleeplessness that can occur after quitting drinking. Other drugs are available to help with immediate withdrawal symptoms, like nausea and shaking.

No one treatment is guaranteed to work for any individual; a combination might be appropriate, while some might choose only counseling rather than medication. Alcohol treatment has a varying success rate. While some people may become sober and remain that way their entire life, others will experience relapses between long periods without drinking. Others may find it difficult to stop at all. However, one thing is for certain: There are a number of organizations and resources out there to help an alcoholic who wants to get sober. If you’re willing to make an effort, you can get the help you need.

Where Can I Find Help For an Alcohol Problem?

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