Chronic Alcoholism: A Brief Guide

Chronic Alcoholism or Alcoholism has been causing havoc to mankind since ancient times. Neither any religion nor any law has been able to entirely wipe out this pest from the earth. Its ability to damage the basic social structure of mankind in many ways is really a horrible thing. Many have tried to find the perfect cure for chronic alcoholism.

As I told earlier, religion and laws have been helpless in either eradicating or handling this problem. There are many reasons for this. However, the main reason is the people’s unawareness and misconceptions. Most of the people know what the alcoholism is but do not know its severe damaging capacity. Another main reason is the hidden politics which is often termed as “Liquor Lobby”.

You must understand one thing that the people should be educated about alcoholism menace in detail. Then only this pest can be sent into history. So, this article is going to explain about alcoholism, its effects and the actions that should be taken in order to eradicate it.

1) What is Chronic Alcoholism? Chronic Alcoholism is disease or addiction that consists alcohol craving and persistent drinking even though alcohol related problems keep occur continuously. A person who has this disease is termed as “Alcoholic”. This alcoholic person shows four symptoms and they are: · Craving: He feels like in strong need to drink. · Impaired Control: He fails to limit his drinking on any occasion. · Physical ailments: Withdrawal symptoms like nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety. These things happen when he stops to use alcohol after a time of heavy drinking. · Tolerance: He increases amounts of alcohol to feel its effects.

2) What are the types of alcoholism problem? There are mainly three stages in alcoholism problem based on its severity. Though most people think that alcohol dependence is the most dangerous level, lesser level drinking problems can also be dangerous. The three types are:

a) Binge drinking: A person who takes five or more drinks in one session is said to have binge drinking problem. Another definition is simply drinking to get drunk. This stage of problem is commonly related to young people of below 21 years age.   b) Alcohol abuse: Mild level or binge drinking problem turns into alcohol abuse when a person’s drinking begins to cause problems and still the drinking continues. This person does not stop drinking despite of continued social, interpersonal or legal difficulties. This person fails in carrying out his responsibilities in any field because of this problem.

c) Alcohol dependence: Alcohol abuse turns into alcohol dependence when a person feels a craving for alcohol, fails to drink within a limit, shows withdrawal symptoms when he does not drink, and drinks more and more to feel the “kick”. This stage is known as chronic alcoholism, and is considered to be most severe. He becomes a target to most dangerous diseases and in most cases, dies.

3) Is chronic alcoholism inherited? This question has prompted many debates and researches. Most of the scientific researches have confirmed that genetics can make a person to be an alcoholic. However, good environment and peer influences can make that person to overcome this genetic influence.

4) What are the effects of chronic alcoholism? An alcoholic person suffers intensely from the effects of alcoholism. The effects can be categorized into three main parts. They are:

a) Physical health effects: An alcoholic person suffers from various kinds of physical ailments caused by chronic alcoholism. It may include cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, alcoholic dementia, epilepsy, heart disease, polyneuropathy, cancer, sexual dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies. Most of these ailments become the cause of his death. In most of the alcoholics, serious cognitive problems can be seen.

b) Mental health effects: Consumption of alcohol for long term affects the brain function lethally. It soon results into that person’s adversely affected psychological well being. Anxiety, panic and depression disorders can be seen in alcoholics. Other mental ailments such as psychosis, confusion, organic brain syndrome and schizophrenia can also be developed in alcoholics. These ailments later develop suicidal tendency in alcoholics and thus causing death.

c) Social effects: Chronic alcoholism not only affects an alcoholic but also his family, friends, colleague, and others. The social problems occurred from chronic alcoholism can be huge and very serious in nature. An alcoholic loses his job since he becomes unable to carryout the responsibilities of that job because of the chronic alcoholism problem. Thus, he will face financial related problems. He may also come under prosecution for breaking the laws such as drunk driving, public disorder or tortuous behavior.

Above all, his relationship with family members and friends will severely be damaged. He may get divorce from his spouse or he may indulge in domestic violence. The worst part of this is his children will be badly damaged emotionally. It is obvious that he will lose respect from others because of chronic alcoholism problem.

5) Is there any cure for chronic alcoholism? Definitely there is cure for chronic alcoholism. However, the alcoholic person must decide that he wants to quit drinking. Only then, can he find lots of help and support from others. The first step in this process should be contacting his family doctor. He must be open and honest while answering to the doctor’s questionnaire. He must be ready to accept whatever help that his family doctor and the family members offer. The sooner he gets help, the better are his chances for a well recovery.

The treatment will always be based on his doctor’s assessment of the seriousness of the problem. Thus, a treatment may involve many phases. During the treatment, he may be needed to do things such as detoxification, taking medications prescribed by doctor, and individual or group counseling. Counseling can help him to recognize the situations and feelings that prompt him to drink. Also, in counseling, he will be able to find the methods to act that do not include alcohol.

After the successful treatment, he will be able to lead the normal life again. However, his family members and friends should be supportive during the treatment, and also after the treatment. Thus, his will power becomes strong and he will stick to his decision not to drink ever.

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