ALCOHOLISM

ALCOHOLISM


Alcoholism is an allergy to alcohol. It is a medicalcondition. Someone with the disease ofalcoholism is considered to be analcoholic.

Alcoholism is a disease

Alcoholism cannot be cured. It can be put into remission sosomeone with alcoholism can lead a relatively normal life, if they are willingto take the necessary steps.

Alcoholism is a chronic disease that makes your bodydependent onalcohol. You may be obsessed with alcohol and unable to control howmuch you drink, even though you're drinking is causing serious problems withyour relationships, health, work and finances.

alcoholic alcoholism

It's possible to have a problem with alcohol, but notdisplay all the characteristics of alcoholism. This is known as "alcoholabuse," which means you engage in excessive drinking that causes health orsocial problems, but you aren't dependent on alcohol and haven't fully lostcontrol over the use of alcohol.

Although many people assume otherwise, alcoholism is atreatable disease. Medications, counseling and self-help groups are among thetherapies that can provide ongoing support to help you recover from alcoholism.

Alcoholism Symptoms

Before treatment or recovery, most people with alcoholismdeny that they have a drinking problem. Other signs of alcoholism and alcoholabuse include:

* Drinking aloneor in secret

* Being unable tolimit the amount of alcohol you drink

* Not rememberingconversations or commitments, sometimes referred to as "blacking out"

* Making a ritualof having drinks before, with or after dinner and becoming annoyed when thisritual is disturbed or questioned

* Losing interestin activities and hobbies that used to bring pleasure

* Feeling a needor compulsion to drink

* Irritabilitywhen your usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol isn't available

* Keeping alcoholin unlikely places at home, at work or in the car

* Gulping drinks,ordering doubles, becoming intoxicated intentionally to feel good or drinkingto feel "normal"

* Having legalproblems or problems with relationships, employment or finances

* Building atolerance to alcohol so that you need an increasing number of drinks to feelalcohol's effects

* Experiencingphysical withdrawal symptoms - such as nausea, sweating and shaking - if youdon't drink

People who abuse alcohol may experience many of the samesigns and symptoms as people who are dependent on alcohol. However, alcoholabusers don't feel the same compulsion to drink and usually don't experiencephysical withdrawal symptoms when they don't drink. A dependence on alcoholalso creates a tolerance to alcohol and the inability to control your drinking.
Alcoholism Test


If you've ever wondered if your own alcohol consumptioncrosses the line of abuse or dependence, ask yourself these questions:

* Do you need adrink as soon as you get up?

* Do you feelguilty about your drinking?

* Do you think youneed to cut back on your alcohol consumption?

* Are you annoyedwhen other people comment on or criticize your drinking habits?

* Drinking more alcohol or drinking over alonger period of time than you intended.

* Persistentlyhaving a desire to cut down on your alcohol intake or making unsuccessfulattempts to do so.

* Spending a greatdeal of time obtaining, using, or recovering from alcohol use.

* Giving upimportant social, occupational or recreational activities.

* Continuing touse alcohol even though you know it's causing physical and psychologicalproblem