ALCOHOLISM

"Water is the only drink for a wise man."
- DK Saha...


What is alcoholism?

Alcoholism is "a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law."

It includes the following symptoms:
1. Craving: A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
2. Impaired control: The inability to limit one's drinking on any given occasion.
3. Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating,
shakiness, and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of
heavy drinking.
4. Tolerance: The need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its
effects.

What is addiction?

Addiction is a disease that affects your brain and your behavior. When you become addicted to alcohol, your brain actually changes in certain ways. Someone who is addicted drinks alcohol without thinking of the consequences, such as problems with health, money, relationships and performance at work or at school.

What is Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol Addiction consists of a repetitive intake of alcoholic beverages to an extent that the drinker is harmed. We automatically assume that the person who suffers the ill-effects of excessive drinking would stop the habit if he could. The fact that he can't stop makes it an alcohol addiction.

The problem is that most people who have a compulsively excessive drinking habit do not realize that they are already suffering from alcohol addiction. Some of them even believe that their alcohol intake is normal, with complete disregard of the tumultuous effects it has brought to their lives.

Why do people drink alcohol?

Basically, people drink alcohol because they like the way these substances make them feel. Pleasure is a powerful force. Your brain is wired in such a way that if you do something that gives you pleasure you will probably want to do it again. All drugs that are addicting can activate and affect the brain's pleasure circuit.

How do I know if I have a problem?

You have a problem with alcohol if you continue to drink even when it causes problems with your health, money, work or school, or with your relationships. You may have a problem if you have developed a tolerance to alcohol. This means you need to use more and more to get the same effect.

Here are a few more telltale signs of alcohol addiction.
• When a person is aware of the negative effects of his drinking but still continues to drink, he could be addicted.
• The more we drink, the more our system gets used to the alcohol. Therefore, after a while, we will need a higher level of alcohol to get drunk. Increased tolerance against intoxication is another sign of alcohol addiction.
• Forming a vicious cycle of alcohol addiction. Relationship problems brought about by alcohol addiction often encourage drinking instead of discouraging it. An alcoholic would rather resort to more drinking hoping to forget about his problems. This cycle makes alcohol addiction quite difficult to control.

Can addiction be treated?

Yes, but addiction is a chronic (going on for a long time), relapsing disease. It may take a number of attempts before you can remain free of alcohol.

What treatments are available?

Treatment can include behavioural treatment or medication or both. Your doctor will help you find the treatment that is right for you.
Medical treatments involve administering drugs that produce aversive reactions when mixed with alcohol and giving the patient multivitamins and various hormones to help resuscitate the body, which has been abused by years of alcohol addiction. Behavioural treatments involve a more personalized approach in the form of one-on-one counseling and group therapies.

How can I quit abusing alcohol?

The first step in breaking addiction is to understand that you can take control of what you do. You can't control all the things that happen in your life or most of what other people do, but you do have control over how you react. So use that control.

The following steps can also help you cut down on your drinking or stop altogether:
1. Write down your reasons for cutting down or stopping.
You may want to improve your health, sleep better or get along better with family and friends.

2. Ask yourself what you expect from alcohol.
What are your reasons for drinking? What do you get from it?

3. Set a drinking goal.
Choose a limit for how much you will drink. If you are cutting down, keep below these limits:
Women: No more than one drink a day
Men: No more than two drinks a day
Write your goals down. Put them on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror.

4. Keep a diary of your drinking.
Keep track of your drinks for several weeks. This shows you how much you drink and when.

Here are some tips:
o Remove temptation. Don't keep alcohol at home.
o Drink slowly. Sip your drink slowly. Take a break of one hour between drinks. Drink soda, water or juice after an alcoholic drink. Eat food when drinking.
o Take a break from alcohol. Pick a day each week when you won't drink at all. Then, try to stop drinking for one week. Eventually you'll start to feel better, which will help you stop for good.
o Learn how to say NO. You do NOT have to drink when others drink.
o Stay active. Do something to replace drinking. Go out to eat, see a movie or go for a walk.
o Get support. Ask family and friends for support. Your doctor may be able to help, too. See a therapist who specializes in helping people stop drinking.
o Watch out for temptation. Stay away from bars and people who drink a lot. Plan ahead of time what you will do to avoid drinking when you are tempted. Do not drink when you are angry or upset.

DO NOT GIVE UP!

Most people do not cut down or give up drinking all at once. Just like a diet, it is not easy to change. Sometimes you may relapse. If you do not reach your goal the first time, try again. Get support from people who care about you.