Is Alcoholism A Disease?
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Is alcoholism a disease? Perhaps to those who ascribe to self-control, will-power, and self determination, alcoholism is
seen more as a weakness or a character flaw than a disease. Certainly a person has control over whether or not he or she
will start to drink alcohol.
Once, however, a person starts to abuse alcohol and eventually becomes dependent on alcohol, that person is caught in the
grips of a disease that is uncontrollable, debilitating, and potentially fatal without the appropriate treatment.
The Pleasant Experience of Drinking Alcohol
For most individuals who drink, alcohol is an enjoyable experience, especially when they
drink in moderation and are engaged in social and recreational activities.
Not only this, but in most situations, drinking in moderation is not harmful for most adults.
A significant number of individuals, nonetheless, cannot consume any alcoholic drinks because of the many problems and difficulties they
encounter when they ingest alcohol.
Just how many people should not or can not drink alcoholic beverages? According to current research findings, approximately 14
million Americans abuse alcohol or are alcohol dependent.
Not only this, but according to the alcoholism research literature, approximately 53 per cent of adults in the United States have claimed that
one or more of their close relatives has a drinking problem.
| Research has shown that people who start drinking at an early age, for instance at 13 years old or younger,
significantly increases the likelihood that they will experience alcohol problems later in life. |
The Debilitating and Unhealthy Effects of Alcoholism
The consequences of alcoholism are not only serious, but in many instances, fatal. For instance, excessive drinking can increase
the risk for certain cancers, such as cancer of the kidneys, esophagus, liver, rectum, larynx, colon, and throat. Moreover, heavy, chronic
drinking can also lead to harm to the fetus while the mother is pregnant, problems with the immune system, brain damage, and cirrhosis of the
liver.
| The incidence of intoxication (BAC of 0.08 or greater) for drivers in fatal crashes in 2003 was highest for
motorcycle operators (29% ) and lowest for drivers of large trucks (1%). The incidence of intoxication for drivers of light
trucks and passenger car drivers was the same (22%). |
In addition, drinking alcohol increases the risk of death from motor vehicle accidents and alcohol-related injuries and accidents
in recreational activities and in the workplace. Finally, research studies have verified that homicides and suicides are more likely to
committed by individuals who have been drinking.
| Twenty one percent of workers reported being injured or put in danger, having to re-do work or to cover for a
co-worker or needing to work harder due to others’ drinking. |
In basic economic terms, alcohol-related issues and problems cost the people in the United States approximately $200 billion per
year. In human terms, however, the cost of the following alcohol-related issues cannot be measured or calculated: destroyed lives,
illnesses, traffic fatalities, wife battering, broken homes, child abuse, failed health, and injuries
| In the second stage of alcoholism, tolerance increases and the person drinks because of dependence on alcohol,
rather than because of psychological stress relief. |
Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
Many individuals mistakenly think that alcoholism and alcohol abuse are the same. This probably stems form the fact that
the two concepts are relatively similar. Alcohol abuse, unlike alcoholism, however, does not include an extremely strong desire
for alcohol, the loss of control due to drinking, or physical dependence.
Alcohol abuse is defined as a pattern of drinking that results in one or more of the following within a twelve-month time
period:
| Since some women remain unaware of their pregnancy, sometimes for 2 or more months, women who are pregnant or
those who are trying to become pregnant should abstain from all alcoholic beverages, according to the March of Dimes. |
A Definition of Alcoholism
Also known as alcohol addiction or alcohol dependence, alcoholism is a progressive degenerative disease that includes the following
symptoms:
- Tolerance: The need to drink increasing amounts of alcohol in order to "feel the buzz" or to "get high."
- Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms when a person quits drinking after a period of heavy drinking. Such
symptoms include: nausea, "the shakes," sweating, and anxiety.
- Craving: A strong and continuing need or compulsion to drink.
- Loss of control: The inability to limit one's drinking over time or during a particular event or occasion.
| We must raise awareness about depression and alcoholism as a problem for older adults. As clinicians, we should
not confuse these disorders with “normal aging.” |
Alcohol Withdrawal
Perhaps the best way of focusing on alcoholism as a disease is to examine the withdrawal symptoms that occur when a heavy drinker
stops drinking.
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a collection of symptoms manifested by individuals who suddenly quit drinking alcohol after a pattern of
excessive and repetitive consumption. These symptoms can range from mild to moderate to severe and include both behavioral and
psychological components.
| In Canada, an estimated 4% of the population over the age of 15 is dependent on alcohol and there are twice as
many male alcoholics as female alcoholics. The highest rate of alcoholism in Canadians occurs between the ages of 20 and
24. In Canadian surveys, about 20% of the current and former drinkers stated that their alcoholic drinking negatively
affected them, usually affecting their finances or their jobs. |
Mild to Moderate Withdrawal Symptoms
The following list represents mild to moderate physical symptoms that typically take place within 6 to 48 hours after the last
alcoholic drink:
- Rapid heart rate Looking pale, without color
- Loss of appetite
- Eyes or pupils different size (enlarged, dilated pupils)
- Headaches (especially those that pulsate)
- Clammy skin
- Sweating (especially on the face or the palms of the hands)
- Abnormal movements
- Nausea
- Insomnia, sleeping difficulties
- Tremor of the hands
- Involuntary, abnormal movements of the eyelids
- Vomiting
| In addition to alcohol-related pancreatitis, heart disease, cancer, and liver disease, excessive drinking over
time is also associated with the following health conditions: infertility, irritated stomach lining and bleeding from
stomach ulcers, obesity, nerve damage, vitamin deficiency, skin problems, muscle disease, sexual problems, epilepsy, and loss of
brain cells. |
Severe Withdrawal Symptoms
The following features a list of severe symptoms that usually occur within 48 to 96 hours after the last alcoholic drink:
- Severe autonomic nervous system overactivity
- Visual hallucinations
- Fever
- Black outs
- Delirium tremens (DTs)
- Convulsions
- Seizures
- Muscle tremors
| There are basically four different types of alcohol tests: breathalyzer tests, blood alcohol tests, urine tests,
and saliva alcohol tests. It can be pointed out that hair tests cannot detect alcohol. |
What To Do When Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms
The first concern when experiencing alcohol withdrawal should be who you should contact about the alcohol withdrawal
symptoms. Stated differently, when experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, always see your doctor or healthcare provider immediately
so that he or she can evaluate the seriousness of your situation and recommend the most effective treatment for your particular
circumstance.
| Does drinking strong coffee or taking a cold shower have an effect on the person who is drunk? The answer is yes —
the result being an alert, cold, and wet drunk. Time, and only time can sober a person up. |
Is Alcoholism A Disease: Conclusion
Is alcoholism a disease or is it a character flaw or a weakness? Clearly, an individual has control over whether or not he
or she will start to drink alcohol. Once, however, an individual starts to abuse alcohol and eventually becomes alcohol dependent, he
or she is caught in the grips of a disease that is extremely unhealthy, damaging, and potentially fatal without treatment.
Indeed, an examination of the withdrawal symptoms that result when a heavy drinker abruptly stops drinking reinforces the
assertion that alcoholism is, in fact, a disease.
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| About three out of every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in their
lives. |
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