The American Medical Association (AMA) defines alcoholism or alcohol dependence like a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations.
Research signifies that while some people produce a dependence on alcohol on account of family history, childhood abuse or poor self-esteem, some others go into alcohol use on account of peer pressure as well as to fit into some group of people. However, inspite of the influences that persuade someone to use alcohol, the bittersweet fact is that the journey from “one drink” to “one last drink” is generally not anticipated.
It is indeed because unlike the most popular belief, each person passes the threshold quantities of alcohol abuse, dependence and tolerance, he/she does develop a dependancy to alcohol. By this time, his/her brain chemistry gets altered as a result of substance use and yes it becomes very difficult for him/her to give up alcohol due to the discomforting withdrawal symptoms.
It is additionally important to realize that alcohol addiction is unique from careless drinking. Those who abuse alcohol usually drink heavily, yet not regularly. Such people behave recklessly or often mix substances of abuse, be a catalyst for alcohol poisoning. Further, abuse may result in addiction, yet not vice-versa. However, alcohol dependency involves all aspects-dependence, abuse and tolerance.
State of dependency on alcohol in America
Alcoholism is soaring from the United States, the worst part being the belief that more than 80,000 consumers are losing their lives to alcohol each year.
Recent statistics by renowned research and analysis organizations such as National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reveal the latest state of health of Americans.
Here are several alarming statistics:
Alcoholism would be the third leading lifestyle-related reason behind death inside nation. (Source: NCADD)
Six people lose their lives because of alcohol poisoning everyday; three outside of four such folks are men. (NIAAA)
Every day from the U.S., another 29 people die like a result of driving under the influence crashes. That's an individual every 50 minutes. (Source: MADD)
Around 4,700 teens are killed every year because of alcohol use, and that is way over the deaths brought on by all illegal drugs combined. (NIAAA)
Men are two times as likely as women to overdo drinking, be intoxicated driving or be linked to fatal car accidents. (NIAAA)
Approximately one inch two women of childbearing age drink, and 18 percent of girls in this group binge drink (five drinks per binge, upon an average).
Less than 8 percent from the 15 million plus those who struggle with an drinking alcohol disorder receive treatment. (NIAAA)
Up to forty percent of all hospital beds within the United States (except for anyone being used by maternity and intensive care patients) are being utilized to treat health problems that are relevant to alcohol consumption. (NCADD)Knowing the warning signs of alcohol dependency
Alcohol consumes our bodies and the mind with the person making use of it. While the symptoms of drug and addiction to alcohol are many, the disruption in normal life caused as a result of alcohol addiction has serious effects about the afflicted person’s thoughts, feelings and actions.
Hence, even if addiction to alcohol may not appear like a real thing, it’s a big menace. To stay away from being trapped, you have to be watchful of such red flags:
Resorting to alcohol for any celebration or sorrow
Preferring to drink alone compared with someone's company
Lying in regards to the drinking habit and behavior
Binge drinking whenever and wherever possible
Negligent attitude toward own health insurance responsibilities
Reckless behavior or no concern about law or rules after drinking
Frequent blackouts, ultimately causing impaired memory functioning
Weight gain caused caused by slow absorption of nutrients from food
Development of tolerance to the substance
Discomforting withdrawal symptoms, severe compared to a hangoverUnderstanding effects of drinking alcohol on your body
Alcohol isn’t solution to any issue. In fact, its dependence, abuse or addiction is a concern in itself.
The resultant adjustments to brain chemistry caused because of alcohol addiction affect both both mental and physical well-being with the afflicted person. When unattended, existing issues aggravate and comorbid disorders develop. Getting a precise diagnosis and undergoing medicine can often be a far-fetched dream when the consulting expert is not able to determine if your symptoms are present caused by an addiction or even a mental illness.
Here is usually a view on the short- and long-term effects of drinking alcohol on your body:
Short-term effects
Long-term effects
· Slurred speech, drowsiness, headaches
· Vomiting, diarrhea, anemia
· Difficulty in breathing
· Distorted vision and hearing, decreased coordination
· Coma, blackouts, unconsciousness
· Impaired judgment
· Hormonal changes
· Sleep problems
· Accidental injuries caused by inebriation, violent behavior
· Fetal damage
· Loss of productivity, increased problems in relationships
· High blood pressure, alcohol poisoning, liver disease
· Nerve damage, stroke, heart-related diseases, permanent brain damage
· Ulcers, gastritis, cancer
· Sexual problems
· Depression, personality disorders, suicide
Supporting someone with alcohol dependency
If somebody you know is that great above mentioned signs and link between an alcohol dependency, after that your support can be quite a great aid.
It is by using your support that attaining recovery may become a priority for the kids and everything they love doesn’t need to come last. When that occurs, the afflicted person learns to persevere and become remembered for his/her recovery and never his/her addiction.