Alcoholism is a condition where people cannot abstain from the intake of alcohol, even if it affects their personal or mental health. Alcoholism can be harmful not only to one’s life but also to the lives and property of others around them.
According to statistics, alcoholism alone took the lives of 2.6 million people each year. Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder, is a serious issue that more and more people fall into. Once a person starts using alcohol, they slowly fall into its trap, eventually leading to a condition where they cannot pass a day without it. Even if one tries to stop using the substance, they will crave more and more of it, leading to withdrawal symptoms. There are rehabilitation centres and treatments available to help people recover from alcoholism.
Symptoms Usually Seen in Alcoholics
It is not just the physical health of an alcoholic that is compromised, but also the mental health of an alcoholic is at risk. Your body and mind show you symptoms of overuse of alcohol in many ways.
- One such common symptom is the continuous craving of alcohol drinks. To suppress this craving, you end up taking huge amounts of alcoholic beverages.
- Another common symptom of alcoholism can be seen in our day-to-day activities, like studies, work, or household chores. You will fail to meet these important obligations related to work or family due to severe alcoholism.
- No matter how hard you try to abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages, you cannot, and even if you try to do it, withdrawal symptoms will hit you.
- Inability to stop drinking even if it affects your health and personal relationships.
- High tolerance to alcoholic beverages is another symptom.
- Once you fall into alcoholism, you are recovering from a hangover or dealing with withdrawal symptoms.
Other common symptoms include;
- Shivering of hands
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Headache
- Coordination problems
- Cognitive damage
- High blood pressure and a rise in the heartbeat
Intoxication by alcohol happens when the amount of alcohol in your blood increases, leading to cognitive and coordination failures. A high amount of alcohol intoxication can lead to serious conditions like coma or even death.
Causes of alcoholism
Statistics show that Alcohol use disorder affects one in ten people aged 12+. The causes of alcoholism can vary depending on various factors. A person with a family history of alcoholism is more likely to develop it. This is not the sole reason for alcoholism, but it plays a role in it. A person suffering from psychiatric issues like anxiety and depression is likely to develop it as a means to control their symptoms. However, a person with alcoholism is also likely to develop symptoms like anxiety and depression.
Peer pressure can be seen as a major reason why most people easily get into drinking alcohol contained beverages. People with childhood trauma develop alcoholism as they grow up. Similarly, stress from work, family, relationships, and financial constraints can all be seen as reasons for drinking alcoholic beverages. Hence, an alcoholism treatment will require a deep evaluation of one’s family history and social conditions to effectively create a treatment plan.
Effects of alcoholism
A common misconception is that alcoholism affects only the liver; though this is true, there are other organs affected by alcoholism. Apart from the liver, the neuro, cardio, and immune systems can all be affected by alcoholism. The neurological system is affected, causing the brain to function abnormally. The chances of stroke are also high in alcoholics.
Increased heart rate and blood pressure are the side effects of severe alcohol consumption. Heart diseases like heart attack have a high chance of occurrence in alcoholics. A body’s immune system fights against any alien viruses or diseases that enter the body. Alcohol can weaken the immune system, which increases the chance of catching various diseases.
Alcohol drinking can lead to various types of cancers in humans. This includes head and neck cancers, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer.
Treatment for alcoholism
The alcoholism treatment may involve medications, therapy, or a combination of both. This is a curable condition if proper treatment is provided by a certified medical practitioner.
Counselling is another kind of rehabilitation treatment where counselling sessions are provided for people who suffer from severe drinking habits. It works by understanding the root cause of this habit, such as a trauma response or a mental health issue, and helping to resolve it. Building a strong support system is also a part of alcohol counselling.
Currently, the approved medications in the US for alcohol use disorder are Naltrexone, Acamprosate, and Disulfiram.
Conclusion
Alcohol use disorder is a common health condition that can be cured with the proper treatment. It not only affects the mental and physical health of the person consuming the alcohol but can also have irreversible effects on their families and relationships. There are several symptoms through which you can identify alcoholism, such as nausea and headache, to cognitive and coordination issues. Abstinence, though it seems impossible, is achieved by proper treatment. Early intervention and support from family and friends are important in achieving this.
FAQs
Yes, alcoholism is completely curable, but with proper medications or therapy
It can last from a few days up to a few weeks, and the symptoms vary according to the type of drug that a person is accustomed to.
Alcoholism is curable with therapy, but it depends on the severity of the condition as to whether it requires medication or not.
Alcoholism can lead to serious health issues like heart attack, stroke, and cancer, and can be life-threatening.
Severe complications can start to appear after 5 to 10 years, but this depends on individuals and their genetic makeup.
