Key Alcoholism Info

image: old male alcoholic pondering life image: young alcoholic lady sitting on steps depressed image: old man lost in thought while drinking image: young lady depressed from drinking

 

Key Alcoholism Info

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image: doctor consoling man about loss of his alcoholic wifeHere'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 the ten alcoholism signs 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.

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.

image: doctor telling alcoholic about alcoholism treatmentWhy 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, 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

image: young man in pain about his alcoholic lifeWhile 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

image: teenage female pondering alcoholic behavior of boyfriendMany 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.

Alcoholism Videos

image: teenage couple in argument over drinkingWe 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 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

image: woman wondering if her alcoholic husband is worth the painHere'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 ten alcoholism signs.  These “alcoholism warning 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 for an alcohol assessment. 

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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 driver injuries and deaths. 

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