Are you worried that you or someone close to you has an alcohol addiction problem? Help is at hand. Here we tell you a little about alcoholism, what to look out for and how we can get you or a loved one the best possible treatment.
Drinking becomes a problem drinking when the cost of drinking outweighs the benefits. Problem drinking can quickly progress into alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependency syndrome. Problem drinking often starts with binge drinking – drinking large amounts of alcohol with the intention to get drunk. Binge drinking becomes alcohol abuse when the drinking starts causing problems. And alcohol abuse becomes alcoholism when the user starts to experience obsessive cravings for alcohol, a loss of control of drinking and withdrawal symptoms when not drinking. It’s important to realize that not all alcoholics drink all day, every day.
Alcohol can produce a whole host of physical problems and can damage almost every part of the body, some irreversibly. On a minor level, it can cause broken capillaries and puffiness in the facial area. More seriously though, alcoholism can cause blood conditions which can lead to infections and anaemia. Many cancers are linked to alcohol, including throat and mouth cancer. Alcoholism can also result in liver disease and cirrhosis which can ultimately be fatal. Alcohol can lead to many emotional problems, including depression and confusion after a drinking session, blackouts which can be incredibly frightening and a loss of interest in friends and hobbies.
What is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is where an individual develops a physical and/or mental dependence on Alcohol. There are varying degrees of alcohol addiction but all are serious conditions that require professional treatment. Alcohol addiction is characterized by the following groups:
Alcohol Dependency – Physical
Alcohol dependency that is physical is where an individual, due to drinking frequent amounts of alcohol, has built a tolerance to the amount that they drink. This simply means that in order to avoid the effects of withdrawal, they have to consume a certain amount of alcohol in order to keep themselves balanced physically and mentally. If they drink less than the amount their body has developed a tolerance to, they will experience very unpleasant and sometimes dangerous symptoms of withdrawal.
Alcohol Dependency – Mental
A mental dependency on alcohol is where an individual feels the need for alcohol in order to face certain events or situations. This may or may not be accompanied by physical dependency. An example of this is someone that feels the need to drink alcohol in order to socialize or someone who feels the need to drink alcohol in order to relax or sleep. They use alcohol as a crutch to overcome uncomfortable feelings.
Binge Drinking
Binge drinking alcohol is where an individual finds it difficult to stop or regulate the amount of alcohol they drink once they have started. Binge drinking is characterized by consuming large quantities of alcohol within a relatively short period of time, with periods of abstinence or normal drinking in between. Binge drinking often follows a pattern that is specific to the individual. Examples of this may be someone who binges on alcohol at the weekends but remains sober during the week; or someone who may binge drink for a period of days but then have weeks of abstinence in between.
Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse is where someone may either binge on alcohol or mix it with drugs or medications in order to get a greater effect. For example, someone who may drink alcohol with Valium or Sleeping tablets, or someone who may take alcohol at the same time as stimulants so that that they can drink more and for longer periods.
The Effects and Risks of Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol addiction carries many risks, both in the short term and long term. Whether consumed over a short period of time or a longer period of time, too much alcohol is bad for us both mentally and physically. With each group carrying its own health risks, professional help should always be sought:
Alcohol Dependency – Physical
Liver damage and failure
Severe Depression and Anxiety
Multiple organ failure
Weight loss or gain
Seizures
Certain Cancers
Diabetes
Heart attack
Stroke
Lethal withdrawal symptoms
Alcohol Dependency – Mental
Low self-esteem
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Depression
Social Phobias
Binge Drinking
Loss of control
Loss of consciousness
Anxiety
Depression
Liver damage and failure
Alcohol poisoning
Lethal alcohol withdrawal symptoms
Alcohol Abuse
Loss of Consciousness
Respiratory arrest /failure
Reduced awareness
Poisoning
Loss of control/ uncharacteristic behaviours
Liver damage/failure
Multiple organ failure
Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol dependency can present with some very dangerous and unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal. If you or a loved one are alcohol dependent, always seek medical advice before attempting to stop or detox. For those who are alcohol dependent, there are medications available that can help you to detox safety. Symptoms of Alcohol withdrawal can include any of the following:
Sweating
Shaking uncontrollably (Delirium Tremors)
Vomiting
Anxiety and panic
Agitation and aggression
Insomnia
Hallucinating visually or auditory
Confusion
Muscle rigidity and spasms
Psychosis
Seizures
Heart attack and respiratory arrest
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction
Most people with alcohol addiction will try to hide the fact that they have a problem, but there are some signs that are not indicative of someone who is in control of their drinking. When challenged, it is common for an individual with alcohol addiction to be defensive, evasive or dismissive. Some individuals will have great denial of their addiction to alcohol and will fiercely try to defend and justify it. Here are some signs that should never be ignored, and an individual displaying these signs and symptoms should always be encouraged to seek professional help:
Empty bottles or cans hidden
Frequently smelling of alcohol, or trying to mask the smell with toothpaste, mints or perfume
Failing to keep appointments or frequently calling in sick to work due to hangovers
Isolation or going missing for days
Frequently drinking to excess
Uncharacteristic behaviours whilst intoxicated, such as violence, aggression, risk-taking, unusual confidence and melancholy
Vomiting and shaking
Hiding alcohol around the house
Swearing off alcohol frequently
Blaming others for their problems and alcohol drinking
Not accepting responsibility for their behaviours
Rarely mildly intoxicated when drinking, usually extremely drunk or drinking to unconsciousness
Reliance on alcohol to relax, fall asleep or to socialize
Sometimes identifying someone who has an addiction can be made more difficult if they are using work as a cover. This is known as a Professional High Functioning Alcoholic
The Treatment for Alcohol Addiction
If you or a loved one are suffering from Alcohol addiction and need help in giving it up, Addiction Helper can help. We have a range of treatment programs that can help overcome addiction to Alcohol. For someone with a long-standing or heavy use of Alcohol addiction, or an individual who is experiencing symptoms of withdrawal or displaying destructive behaviours, an inpatient period of detoxification and to gain abstinence is suggested. In addition, in order to remain abstinent and help prevent relapse, an intensive therapy program is also strongly recommended with an aftercare package to follow. It is important to deal with the issues that are underpinning the addiction if you or a loved one wants to stay free of Alcohol in the long term.
Detox and withdrawal from alcoholism need to be undertaken in a medically-controlled environment as the body can go into shock. Alcohol abuse is usually a symptom of a problem and is most effectively treated in a residential centre with a structured program that takes a holistic approach. As with most addictions, relapse is always a danger. Therefore, follow-up care, such as attendance of AA meetings, is essential. At Addiction Helper, we can help you look at all the options available and provide all the support that you and your family will need.
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