Alcoholism is nothing but a dependence on alcohol seen in a person. Almost all people in this world must have come in close contact with alcohol at some or the other time in life. But not all of them turn out to be alcohol dependants or addicts or abusers. Alcohol abuse is no different than using it abnormally and illicitly. When a substance is used more than it is required or it should be used, then it is no more a usage, but abuse of that particular thing. Similar is the case with alcohol. Abuse or dependency on alcohol is more of a disease, and this fact has been approved by the major health organization bodies of the world. Let’s take a closer look at the other factors of complete alcoholism information.
Alcoholism Causes
Alcoholism causes are different for different users of it. This variation is due to difference in the usage of alcoholism, the amount of alcohol taken, the manner in which it is used, and so on. One cause of alcoholism is a family history of alcohol abuse. If a person, or more, in a family is already an addict to alcohol, or takes in too much of alcohol, then his or her successors are also more prone to alcoholism. This is one cause of alcoholism related to genetics. Another cause of alcoholism can relate to disturbed emotional and psychological states. People, who are seen to be dependent on alcohol, have a bad emotional and psychological balance and are not able to deal with their problems efficiently. Thus, they choose an easy way out of it by drinking alcohol in excess and running away from the problems.
Alcoholism symptoms
Alcoholism symptoms can be classified under four categories, or the basic symptoms themselves. They are Craving, Loss of control, Physical dependence, and Tolerance.
Craving – In the course of this symptom, the suspected alcoholic, tries to get hold of alcohol in every possible way. He may consume too much of alcohol to digest, or binge drink on alcohol. If forbidden, this person can even steal alcohol and drink secretly. These are the signs seen in a person when he craves alcohol. A strong need, or and urge to drink alcohol takes over the victim, which can make him stealthily, violent and even sadistic.
Loss of control – This is when the person is not able to control the habit of alcohol drinking. Binge drinking is very prominent stage here. Even the most important jobs can be abandoned for the sake of alcohol. Once the person begins to take alcohol at a particular point of time, he or she cannot stop it.
Physical dependence – The person has been taking in alcohol for such a long time and with such intensity that it is not possible for him to come out of it. He becomes physically dependent on the substance. The enslavement to alcohol is so much so that when the person is kept away from his object of addiction for even sometime, he or she becomes violent and begins to face withdrawal symptoms like nausea, shakiness, sweating, anxiety, etc. after drinking.
Tolerance – Initially, the person who never seemed to even tolerate a glass or two of an alcoholic drink, has now developed too much of tolerance to the substance. This is because the immunity of the person becomes, gradually, used to alcohol and the capacity of the person to tolerate it elevates.
Treatment for alcoholism
Treatment of alcoholism is possible. But, as most treatments, this also has side effects. And it is not medicines that bring side effects, but the quitting of the habit itself. They are called withdrawal symptoms and they can prove very perilous. However, it is more necessary to treat alcoholism rather than bothering about the withdrawal. Counseling and medications are available for the same. After counseling, some people themselves are motivated to quit alcohol, and more than 4 % of them have been found successful at a particular time.
