Alcoholism is the continued excessive and usually uncontrollable use of alcoholic drinks. There are many symptoms, complications, treatments and ways of prevention for alcoholism. Certain groups of people may be at a greater risk than others for several reasons. There are numerous factors in how people may become addicted. Age, level of stress you cope with, and sex are just a few factors that play into becoming an alcoholic.
What is alcoholism? How does it affect us? Not aware of it, many of us know someone, if not ourselves, who is an alcoholic. Alcoholism is the habitual excessive consumption of alcohol. It is a chronic disease that is often times progressive and fatal. This means that the disease continues over time and that physical, psychological, and emotional changes often occur. These changes cumulate and progress as the drinking continues. Denial becomes an essential part of the disease and a major barrier. Alcoholics often drink to help their problems, but rather, drinking and denial are a major cause of the problems. .
Symptoms of alcoholism include some, if not all of the following. Drinking secretly or alone, and on a regular basis are early signs of alcoholism. Other symptoms include forgetting things that happened while intoxicated, irritability, an unorganized personal or professional life, and seclusion from things that used to occupy time and amuse one's self. These symptoms are acquired over time and may be hard to spot. Binge drinking (when somebody consumes large amounts of alcohol in one sitting) is also a sign of alcoholism.
Alcoholism is frequently not perceived as being a problem, which are involuntary disabilities. Like other diseases that we can't manage, alcoholism impairs our control also. Alcoholics don't have the ability to limit their alcohol use, the quantity consumed, or the consequences in their behavior from drinking. Not only does consuming alcohol affect our behavior, it impairs our physical health, and interpersonal and occupational functioning.
