Too much alcohol in the body is dangerous and it increases the risk of death. Alcoholism is also identified as alcohol dependence and alcohol use disorder. It is a special type of addiction. If you abuse drinking alcohol, you’re not physically dependent but you have a serious problem. It may cause problems at home, work and school. It may put you in dangerous situations that may lead to legal or social problems.
Heavy drinking can increase the risk of certain cancers. Damages to liver, brain and other organs may occur. Pregnant women can harm their babies if drinking alcohol. It may cause distress and harm.
The Causes of Alcoholism
The biological causes off alcoholism include person’s physiology and genetics. Some may enjoy so much that it becomes very tempting and have difficulty to resist.
In psychology, addiction is harmful. Some may repeat certain behavior even when these behaviors are harmful. People that are engaged in this kind of activity are having benefits such as stress reduction, relief from boredom and coping with negative feelings. People with poor coping skills are more vulnerable to addiction.
Socio-cultural influences also are one of the factors that affect alcoholism. If the culture accepts or tolerates drunkenness, the members are more vulnerable to addiction.
Preventive ways to alcoholism:
- Don’t be afraid to say NO to alcohol
- Connect with friends and avoid pressure
- Make connections with parents
- Enjoy life and what you are doing
- Follow parents advice, not to engaged in alcohol abuse
- Be a role model and set positivity in life
Alcoholism, or alcohol dependence, is an illness that causes
- Craving – a strong want to drink
- Loss of control – not being able to break drinking once you’ve started
- Physical dependence – withdrawal indications
- Tolerance – the need to drink extra alcohol to feel the similar effect
Treatment of alcoholism varies. It may include medicines, counselling, and support groups. It may occur in stages and includes the following:
Detoxification or withdrawal – This is done to get rid of alcohol in your body.
Rehabilitation – Learning of new coping skills and behaviors.
Counselling – This may help you to address emotional problems that causes you to drink.
Medications – This is given to help control addiction.
These are some medications that can help persons with alcohol addiction:
- Naltrexone – This kind of drug, in mixture with counselling, may help cut an individual’s craving for alcohol.
- Acamprosate – This drug should also be combined with therapy.
- Disulfiram – drug that causes physical discomfort, any time the individual consumes alcohol.