Alcoholism Uncovered

Uncovering a serious problem like alcoholism begins with defining what the problem is first. The problem is that alcoholism is more than just drinking too much, alcoholism is a disease. A disease in which a person becomes dependent on alcohol, which is a drug, is called alcoholism. Craving alcohol and the addictive pattern of behavior will cause serious health problems, financial and relationship problems even problems with the ability to earn an income if the disease is not managed properly. If a person is not dependent on alcohol but drinks in excess of what is considered to be normal for age and body weight and that the drinking is causing health or social problems but the individual is not dependent on alcohol and hasn’t yet lost control over the use of alcohol the person is said to be abusing alcohol but not suffering from alcoholism.

The good news is that despite what many people think, alcoholism is a treatable disease. Alcoholism can be treated by the use of medications, professional counseling and also by self-help groups and other professional therapies on an on-going support basis. It is possible to recover from alcoholism.

How do you know if you or someone you love suffers from alcoholism?

You would know if you or someone you loved was suffering from alcoholism because you or they would exhibit signs or symptoms of alcoholism. If you are someone suspected that you are someone was suffering from alcoholism because of recognizing the signs or symptoms of alcoholism a medical doctor could discuss the symptoms with the person, take a medical history and examine the individual so that a diagnosis of alcoholism can be confirmed or dismissed.

Signs or symptoms of alcoholism:

The person in question drinks alone or drinks in secret

The person is unable to limit the amount of alcohol they consume at one sitting

The person is unable to remember conversations they have with others, commitments they have made, and may even complain of having "blackouts" in which there are periods of time that they do not remember what they did or where they were.

The individual may make rituals of having alcohol before, with or after dinner or at other times and then becomes annoyed if the ritual is disturbed by anything or anyone or if someone questions the ritual or ridicules it

The person has lost interest in activities that they usually enjoyed and participated in prior to becoming obsessed with alcohol

There is a need or craving to drink that they cannot deny

When alcohol is not available and it is the usual drinking time the individual will become irritated or upset

Stashing alcohol in unusual places at home or work or in a vehicle

Needs to drink in order to feel "normal" or to feel good

Problems with finances, relationships or at work that can be connected to drinking

Has built up a tolerance to alcohol that requires an increase in amount of alcohol consumed in order to meet the same level of intoxication as previously achieved. It takes an increasingly greater number of drinks in order to achieve the desired feeling of "normalcy or have feeling good".

When alcohol is not available the individual will experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating or tremors (shaking) if they are unable to consume alcohol

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