Key Alcoholism Info
_____________________________________________________________________
Here's some
key alcoholism info: For most people who drink, alcohol is a pleasant experience, especially when they
drink in moderation and engage in social functions.
In the great majority of cases, moreover, drinking in moderation is not harmful for most
adults.
A relatively large number of people, however, cannot drink ANY alcoholic beverages because of
the negative outcomes they experience.
Although most people recognize the term "alcoholism," it seems that they lack a clear
understanding regarding an alcoholism definition.
If you are concerned about the drinking behavior of a friend or a family member, continue
reading so you can learn about various "alcoholism signs," the "Ten Warning Signs of Alcoholism," as well as an
alcoholism definition.
The Knowledge to Prevent the Negative Effects of Alcoholism
Interestingly, the more
knowledgeable an individual becomes about this disease, the more the damaging and unhealthy effects of
alcoholism become identifiable and the more an individual becomes capable of preventing this disease.
Why is there such a need for more people to learn how to prevent alcoholism? To help answer
this question, consider the following.
From strictly a bottom-line perspective, economic vantage point, alcohol-related problems cost
American society roughly $200 billion per year.
When looked at from a more "human" perspective, regrettably, the cost of alcohol-related issues and
problems is incalculable. Why?
Because of the broken homes, failed health, destroyed lives, injuries, wife battering, traffic
fatalities, birth defects and deformities, illnesses, and child abuse that are intimately related to and directly
or indirectly caused by alcoholism or alcohol abuse.

| Researchers found the odds of experiencing sexual aggression were nine times higher
on heavy days and three times higher on non heavy days of alcohol consumption compared with days of
no alcohol consumption. |
An Alcoholism Definition
While most adults
have heard about alcoholism, it appears that many of them are not clear on an alcoholism definition. With
this in mind, the following represents an alcoholism definition. Also known as alcohol addiction or
alcohol dependence, alcoholism is a chronic, debilitating disease that includes the following symptoms:
- Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms when an individual suddenly quits drinking after a period
of excessive and abusive drinking. Such symptoms include "the shakes," nausea, sweating, headaches, and
anxiety.
- Tolerance: The need to drink more and more alcohol in order to experience "the buzz" or to "get
high."
- Craving: An extremely strong and unrelenting need or compulsion to drink.
- Loss of control: The inability to limit one's drinking on any given occasion or over an extended
period of time.

| If you have decided, for whatever reason, that you want to stop drinking, there is a
world of help and support available. To get a better picture of where you are now, so that you can
make an informed decision about how to proceed, perhaps the first person to talk with should be
your family doctor. |
Alcoholism Signs
Many
people think about their drinking behavior and wonder if it is progressing to the point of
addiction.
What they need, therefore, is information or “alcoholism signs” that indicate whether or not they
are becoming alcohol dependent.
With this in mind, the following ten alcoholism signs will be listed. Keep in mind, however,
that there is no particular order for the alcoholism signs listed below.
-
Inability to reduce or stop alcohol intake
-
Trembling in the morning
-
Violent episodes associated with drinking
-
Becoming angry when confronted about drinking
-
Drinking secretly
-
Daily or frequent drinking needed to function
-
Making excuses, finding excuses to drink
-
Drinking alone
-
Poor eating habits
-
Failure to care for physical appearance
| Research reveals that individuals who have achieved remission but who discontinue
participation in Alcoholics Anonymous are at increased risk for relapse; individuals who have not
stopped drinking and who discontinue participation in Alcoholics Anonymous are more likely to
continue drinking. |
The Ten Warning Signs of Alcoholism
Similar to the
ten "alcoholism signs" listed above, the following ten warning signs of alcoholism can give an individual
insight into whether or not he or she is or is becoming an alcoholic:
-
Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?
-
Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
-
Do you get headaches or have hang-overs after drinking?
-
Does your drinking ever make you late for work?
-
Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
-
Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
-
Do you ever drink after telling yourself you won't?
-
Do you drink alone when you feel angry or sad?
-
Do you ever forget what you did while you were drinking?
-
Does your drinking worry your family?
If you answer even one of these questions with a "yes," you may be alcohol dependent. If you
are concerned about your drinking, however, or how drinking is affecting your school work, employment,
relationships, financial situation, or your health, make sure you make an appointment with your doctor or with your
healthcare practitioner for an alcohol evaluation and for possible treatment.
Alcoholism Videos
We have included some alcoholism videos so that you can see
and hear directly from various people about their struggles with this disease.
If you, a family member, or one of your friends has a "drinking problem," seeing what others have
gone through, how they addressed their "alcoholism signs," and how they attained successful recovery is much more
"real" than any information you can read about.
Furthermore, watching these videos may help you understand what others with a drinking problem are
experiencing. So make sure you look at these excellent videos!
| According to the research literature, American adolescents between the ages of
twelve and seventeen who use alcohol are more likely to report more behavioral problems, especially
criminal, delinquent, or aggressive behaviors than 12 to 17-year olds who do not drink
alcohol. |
Key Alcoholism Info: Conclusion
Here's some key alcoholism info: although drinking alcohol is an enjoyable event for most
people, millions upon millions of people world wide cannot drink even one alcoholic beverage due to the problems
they experience when consuming alcohol.
Many individuals who are non-drinkers or who drink responsibly can’t understand why “problem
drinkers” don’t use will power to overcome their drinking situation.
Part of the problem is that people who do not abuse drinking do not understand what alcoholism
is. In short, they need an alcoholism definition to help them better understand the uncontrollable grip in
which the alcohol is involved.
If you are wondering whether or not a family member or friend is alcohol dependent, make sure you
read about the "alcoholism signs" and the "Ten Warning Signs of Alcoholism" listed above.
These “alcoholism signs” will give you an indication about the drinking behavior of your friend or
family member so that you can suggest to the “problem drinker” to go to their doctor or healthcare professional for
an alcohol assessment.

| Many research studies have emphasized the serious health effects of long-term heavy
drinking, from an increased risk for having accidents to developing certain forms of cancer. |
| Research has demonstrated that American young people are over-represented in driving
accidents involving alcohol. For instance, in a recent year, people from the age of 16 to 24
were involved in 28% of all alcohol-related driving accidents, even though they make up only 14% of
the U.S. population. Young people are also over-represented in drinking while driving
injuries and deaths. |
_____________________________________________
|