What is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is an alcohol addiction, or in other words, a need for an intoxicating liquid that is made through a firmented grain or fruit. These drinks can incluid beer, wine, and other hard liquors.
An alcohol addiction is present when a person cannot limit the amount of alcohol that they consume, and they have a craving at all times in the day. People who are addicted to alcohol can suffer withdrawals that can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting. constant headaches, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety. These symptoms can cubside in two ways. By either giving the body the alcohol it desires, or naturally detoxifying your body and changing the body to no longer be dependant on alcohol.
Many people think that it is just a matter of controlling the mind and then you can stop drinking. That notion couldn’t be more false. Alcohol addictions are very difficult to overcome and the recovery is very much a process. The majority of alcoholics need assistance to stop drinking, that is, they need a mentor or someone they can report to on their success and progress.
Alcohol Addictions-Causes and Effects of Alcohol Addiction
Scientists have proven that people who have an alcoholic in their family/household, are 50% more likely to become an alcoholic. Based on a person’s environment and lifestyle, especially traumatic experiences as a youth, will greatly effect whether or not a person tries a drink of alcohol. The factors of one’s environment that might have an effect on their alcoholism are as follows; family, friends, culture, peer pressure, financial security, etc.
Alcohol addictions can lead to serious problems and circumstances. Not only can there be physical problems that arise, but also emotional and mental destructive behavior can arise. Currently alcohol is involved in half of all crimes, murders, rapes, burglary, and accidental death. There is also a long list of health issues that can arise when alcohol is consumed: brain damage, liver disease, heart disease, cancer, etc. Alcoholics who are not able to quit drinking reduce their life expectancy 10-15 years.
Other causes and effects from alcohol addictions:
- Too many rinks can kill many, many brain cells that can cause brain damage
- Alcohol can hinder the reaction time of the nervous system
- Alcohol can cause inflammation in the mouth and esophagus which can lead to cancer
- Drinking can produce irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, heart attacks and other heart problems
- Can destroy sexual function, pleasure, and desire.
- Can lead to skin and pancreatic disorders, weaken the bone and muscle structure, eventually lowering your immunity
A large amount of alcohol that is taken in is broken down by the liver. The liver has a fixed rate of breaking down the alcohol, so as the liver is overused, disorders and malfunctions can result, making the liver the primary location of alcohol’s damage. Liver damage can occur in three stages. The first stage is liver enlargement whereby liver cells are penetrated with abnormal fatty tissue. The second stage is the alcoholic hepatitis whereby liver cells swell, inflame, and eventually die. The third stage is cirrhosis in which fibrous scar tissues are formed, hindering the flow of blood through the liver.
Alcohol Addiction-What to do?
The first thing is having a determination to quit drinking alcohol and having control of your body once again. Then you need to have the initiative to realize what triggers your alcohol drinking problem. Do everything in your power to eliminate those triggers in your life. Even if it includes losing many friendships. Forgiveness is an important part of this process and also seek counseling to aid in the healing process.
Making the decision to get help is the most important one out there. Whether it is through counseling, either through this site or an in office visit, that is very necessary. Please contact me or another professional in the field who can help. Many online prices are better and studies have shown that they are just as effective. You can contact me at addictionrecoveryplans@gmail.com. I will be there to help with any question or concern you might have. That is the purpose of me helping with Addiction Recovery.