Alcoholism is also known as “alcohol dependence syndrome,” and is a disease that is characterized by craving, loss of control, physical dependence and tolerance.
Alcoholism has very little to nothing to do with the kind of alcohol one consumes, how much alcohol they consume or even how long they have been drinking. But it has a great deal to do with a person’s uncontrollable need for alcohol.
Alcohol abuse refers to people who do not display the characteristics of alcoholism but still have a problem with it – these people are not as dependent on alcohol as an alcoholic is, they have not yet completely lost control over its consumption. This description of alcoholism will give us an idea of how difficult it is to stop drinking and why just “a little willpower” won’t help them break the addiction. The craving for alcohol for him or her can be as strong as that of the need for food or water for a non drinker.
Consuming alcohol in moderate amounts will not mostly cause any physical or psychological harm. Unfortunately, for some people social drinking eventually leads to heavier drinking and then they’re hooked. This can cause devastating psychological and health problems.
Studies show that the risk for developing alcoholism does indeed run in families. The genes a person inherits partially explain this pattern, but lifestyle is also a factor. Your friends, the amount of stress in your life, and how readily alcohol is available are also factors that may increase your risk for alcoholism.
Typically, the last person to be aware that he/she has a serious drinking problem is the alcoholic himself/herself. The symptoms of alcoholism and alcohol abuse are very similar, and are often just a question of degree or intensity. This is because they are in denial. Some of the noticeable signs and symptoms of alcoholism as well as alcohol abuse are:
One drinks alone.
Drinking in secret.
Not being able to reduce the quantity of alcohol consumed.
Fainting – not being able to remember certain periods of time.
Having rituals and being irritable when these rituals are disturbed or commented on. This could be drinks before/during/after meals, or after work.
Losing interest, dropping hobbies and activities the person used to enjoy.
Feeling a strong urge to drink.
Feeling irritable when drinking times approach. This feeling is more intense if the alcohol is not available, or there appears to be a chance it may not be available.
Having stashes of alcohol in unlikely places.
Gulping drinks down in order to get drunk and then feel good.
Having relationship problems (triggered by drinking).
Problems with the law caused by drinking.
Work problems caused by drinking or drinking as root cause.
Money problems caused by drinking.
Consuming large quantities of alcohol to feel its effect.
Nausea, sweating, or even shaking when not drinking.
Excessive drinking is technically considered poisoning the body. These individuals risk destroying their kidneys and liver and also keep themselves prone to numerous heart diseases when they continue to drink. Alcoholism remains a health concern.
There is collateral damage of the alcoholic’s behavior. A drunken driver, an pregnant alcoholic woman, or a spouse who becomes abusive because of alcohol, risks destroying not only himself or herself, but also others members he is associated with.
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Tags: alcohol abuse, Alcohol consumption, alcohol dependence syndrome, alcoholic, alcoholism, craving, drinking problem, Health & Fitness, heart diseases, kidney problem, loss of control, Nausea, psychological problems, sweating