Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a form of drug addiction because the individual suffers from both physical and mental dependence on alcohol. There are 2 categories to this disease—abuse and dependence. An individual who is dependent on alcohol spends much time consuming alcohol, and obtaining it. Physical dependence includes the need for growing amounts of alcohol in order to become drunk or to attain the desired effect. Physical dependences can also be seen when the individual develops an alcohol-related illness, memory lapses such as blackouts after drinking episodes, and painful withdrawal symptoms when he stops drinking alcohol.
The most chronic drinking behavior of Alcoholism involves prolonged drinking binges that result in mental or physical issues. Although some individuals can gain control over their dependence in the early stages before completing losing control, no one knows which heavy drinkers can accomplish this and which cannot.
No one knows the cause of alcoholic disease because there are many factors that may cause its development. A individual with an alcoholic parent is more likely to become an alcoholic than an individual who does not have the disease running in her immediate family. Although research indicates that specific genes may cause a growth in the risk of Alcoholism, it is not known which genes causes this or how they operate.An alcoholic may undergo psychological issues, including the need for relieving her anxiety, troubled relationships, depression, and lack of self-esteem. Social issues may arise as well, such as peer pressure, alcohol use being socially accepted, and a stressful lifestyle. Statistics show that approximately 15 percent of individuals in America are problem drinkers, and approximately 5 percent to 10 percent of male drinkers and 3 percent to 5 percent of female drinkers run the risk of being diagnosed as alcohol dependent.
In America, Alcoholism is the number one drug problem, in spite of all of the attention on drugs such as cocaine. Per community surveys, more than 13 percent of adults in America will experience alcohol abuse or dependence at some point during their lifetimes.
An individual who is physically dependent on alcohol undergoes more dangerous withdrawal symptoms than heroin or other narcotic drugs. An individual suffering from alcohol abuse tends to reflect an inability to fulfill major obligations at work, school, or home, may have issues coping with hazardous situations, such as driving a car or operating machinery, or may have legal issues. Alcohol dependence is a graver disorder, which can be reflected in tolerance changes, where the individual needs more alcohol to achieve the desired effect. This type of Alcoholism also produces withdrawal symptoms when the individual stops drinking or reduces his dosage. Symptoms include sweating, quick pulse, tremors, inability to sleep, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, irritability, anxiety, or seizures.
The individual may also use alcohol to keep her withdrawal symptoms at bay, such as early morning drinking. The more alcohol the individual consumes over a longer period of time, the more control she loses over her ability to stop drinking.
