This can be described as a chronic disorder which can be characterized by dependence on alcohol and the repeated excessive use of alcoholic beverages which leads to the development of withdrawal symptoms especially when one reduces intake of alcohol.
This is followed by morbidity which has been known to include liver cirrhosis and the reduced ability to act normal especially in terms of social interaction and related workplace tasks.
It can also be described as a form of disease which is commonly referred to as alcohol dependence syndrome which is the most severe stage of drinking problems and usually starts with binge drinking and alcohol abuse.
When people engage in alcohol consumption, they usually do so with the mind set that they are celebrating or they doing so in order to eliminate stress or depression from their lives.
The worst thing is that when you drink alcohol in order to fight problems or avoid feeling bad, you will be directing yourself in a dangerous territory.
The various effects of the condition can sneak up on you without your knowledge therefore in order to avoid it, you need to be aware of the symptoms and signs of the condition.
The signs and symptoms can be either mild, moderate or severe and they include:
This is a situation where an alcoholic who has been undergoing heavy and prolonged drinking ceases the habit with the purpose of kicking it out of their life. Withdrawal has been found to start occurring a few hours to a few days after one has stopped drinking or reduced the amount they used to drink before.
Some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include sweating, rapid heart beat, hand tremors, sleeping problems, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations and agitation. There are times when seizures may occur and could make the symptoms to be severe therefore impairing oneās ability to work or even interact with others socially.
This is a situation where the amount of alcohol in your blood increases which means that the higher the concentration, the more intoxicated one is. The condition is known to cause problems especially when it comes to behavior and mental capabilities.
Some of the behavioral and mental changes that will occur due to alcohol intoxication include unstable moods, impaired judgement, slurred speech, impaired attention, impaired memory and poor coordination.
There are periods where one will experience the so called āblackoutsā therefore leading one not to remember events.
When the levels of alcohol are very high, it could lead one to be in a coma or death.
In order for one to become an alcoholic, they have to spend months or even years abusing alcohol. As time goes by, the condition will disrupt the chemical balance in the brain specifically the GABA which is known to control impulsiveness.
According to experts, genetics is one cause of the problem especially in families where they have a history of addiction. These are as a result of certain genetic factors which experts have been able to find out.
It has been found out that people who have emotional problems that lead to stress usually result in the condition. This is because when people have problems, they will seek solace in alcohol therefore starting binge drinking.
When you start spending time with friends who drink regularly, you will be tempted to try it out an within a short time,you will be hooked and you will start drinking yourself.
Low self esteem
People who have low esteem will likely result to drinking alcohol in order to boost their confidence especially when around people.
Depression has been found to result in the deliberate use of alcohol as a means of treating their condition. Drinking alcohol will not eliminate oneās problem but will escalate it instead.
When it comes to alcoholism, there are a number of treatment methods that are meant to support you in abstaining. The treatment may be provided in stages and includes:
When it comes to medication, there are several which are used to treat the condition and they include:
-Naltrexone which is also referred to as Vivitrol and is used on individuals who are have detoxified from the alcohol. The drug works by blocking specific receptors which are usually associated with being high. The drug together with counseling will help to decrease oneās craving for alcohol.
-Campral is a medication which helps one to re-establish their brains original chemical state before they start being dependent on alcohol.