Alcoholism -- A Treatable Disease

Almost everyone witnesses the out-of-control antics of a problem drinker. But, do you know when problem drinking is the same as alcoholism, and at what point does problem drinking become alcoholism?

In general, problem drinking qualifies as alcoholism when the person:
• drinks compulsively;
• keeps drinking in spite of adverse consequences;
• gets upset when alcohol is not readily available.

Not everyone who gets drunk is an alcoholic. Many people drink to experiment; to act sociable; or to gain attention. Alcoholics, however, do not plan to get drunk; their drinking is an uncontrollable urge.

How Common is Alcoholism?

In any randomly selected group of Americans, 10 to 15 of every 100 people either are alcoholics or will become alcoholics. Ten million Americans are alcoholics, and another 10 million are problem drinkers who may be on their way to becoming alcoholics. Alcoholism is not a gender-related disease, between one-third and one-half of all alcoholics are women. Many alcoholics are teenagers; some are even preteens.

Alcoholics Suffer From Their Illness

As their disease progresses, alcoholics need to drink more and more often, just to feel normal. Increasingly, they realize that once they start to drink, they can’t stop. Yet they desperately want to keep from getting drunk, both to avoid embarrassment and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as trembling, irritability, nausea, or insomnia. They may try different strategies to regain control over their drinking, maybe switching from liquor to wine, or perhaps going "on the wagon" for weeks at a time. No strategy works for long, however. Inwardly disgusted with themselves, alcoholics vacillate between anger and depression. Personal relationships deteriorate. Job performance suffers. In addition, physical problems develop. Alcoholics suffer from disturbing memory lapses called blackouts. Feeling edgy and anxious, some may experiment with and become addicted to tranquilizers. Alcoholics eat poorly, because their irritated liver and inflamed digestive system give them heartburn, nausea, and gas. Sex drive dwindles. Insomnia robs them of needed sleep.

Loved Ones of Alcoholics Suffer Too

• Women who drink heavily during pregnancy are giving alcohol to the unborn child. The baby may be born with fetal alcohol syndrome, an incurable condition that involves stunted growth, physical abnormalities, and mental retardation.
• Active alcoholics often have marital problems. They can’t be committed marriage partners as their compulsion to drink makes them self-centered, irresponsible, and possibly abusive.
• Likewise, active alcoholics also have difficulties fulfilling their parental responsibilities. Alcohol-abusing mothers and fathers have been known to neglect or abuse their children. For a child, growing up with an alcoholic parent is a painful experience that usually leaves lasting emotional scars.

Alcoholism Can Kill

People with advanced alcoholism drink almost constantly; have trouble keeping a job; relate poorly to others; and may have self-destructive impulses, including frequent thoughts of suicide. Some of the serious physical consequences of late-stage alcoholism are convulsions, hallucinations, mental confusion, partial paralysis, and/or cirrhosis of the liver. The longer alcoholism goes without treatment, the greater the damage to the body. Untreated alcoholism is fatal.

There is Help

The good news is that alcoholism is treatable. With the right kind of help, most alcoholics can learn to lead a deeply satisfying life without alcohol. People used to think the only way an alcoholic could quit drinking was to go "cold turkey." However, sudden withdrawal from alcohol is difficult, painful and dangerous. Hazards include hallucinations, convulsions, and potentially life-threatening shifts in blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate.

A safer way is medically supervised detoxification in a specialized hospital setting. "Detox," which starts with a physical exam, involves bed rest, nursing care, short-term tranquilizers, a balanced diet, and vitamin and mineral supplements. After a few days of "detox," when the acute withdrawal period is over, the alcoholic moves into the second stage of treatment. This stage, called rehabilitation, can be structured into a period of hospitalization, or it can take the form of frequent visits to an outpatient clinic. In either case, rehabilitation involves ongoing medical monitoring, nutritional therapy, a program of moderate physical exercise, through education about alcoholism, and an introduction to a 12-step selfhelp support group for alcoholics.

The third stage of professional treatment for alcoholism is a return to full independence, monitored through a series of medical follow-up visits and guided by ongoing participation in a support group. Alcoholics who maintain close ties with Alcoholics Anonymous greatly increase their chances for a solid, lasting recovery.

What to Do If You Think You Have a Drinking Problem

If you have ever had the slightest suspicion that your own drinking might be turning into a problem, ask yourself only these three questions:
• Am I drinking more than I used to?
• Once I start drinking, am I sometimes unable to stop?
• Do I get irritated when I’m in a place where I can’t drink?

Answering "yes" to even one of these questions suggests that your use of alcohol may be unhealthy or problematic.

To delve deeper, make an appointment for an evaluation with a substance abuse counselor or a treatment center.

For more information on alcoholism:

Alcoholics Anonymous in the Cape Fear Area
Wilmington Intergroup Office
5001 Wrightsville Avenue
Wilmington, N.C. 28403
24-hour Answering Service: 910-794-1840
www.wilmingtonaa.org

Alcoholics Anonymous Wolrd Services Office
475 Riverside Drive 11th Floor
New York, NY 10115
Phone: 212-870-3400
www.aa.org

National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and Drug Information
Phone: 800-729-6686
www.health.org

Information for this article was taken from the National Mental Health Association web site: www.NMHA.org.

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Alcoholism -- A Treatable Disease