Alcoholism

Description

Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease characterized by difficulty in controlling the use of alcohol.

Affected People – alcoholics continue to drink even when they see that it is causing them problems, become physically dependent or develop withdrawal symptoms, quickly reducing their regular intake or stopping drinking altogether.< /p>

It is possible for a person to have a problem with alcohol use before it has become a chronic disease.

Problem use of alcohol can be defined as excessive drinking that leads to recurring problems in personal relationships and work, even though the person affected is not completely dependent on alcohol.

Drunkenness – this is a very mild form of alcoholism, although it is rather a generational pattern of behavior that leads to the same health and social risks problems, as well as complete dependence on alcohol.

Drunkenness is considered when a man or teenager drinks 5 or more drinks in a row, and a woman is considered when she raises at least 4 glasses in a row.

In case of alcoholism or problems with alcohol those affected are not able alone, without help, to give up or at least reduce their use.

Alcoholics’ denial that they have a problem they can’t deal with often makes it even more difficult to overcome their addiction.

What are the symptoms?

People who are totally dependent on alcohol exhibit the following signs and symptoms:

• are unable to limit the amount of alcohol they take;

• feel a strong need or feel compelled to drink;

• reaching a higher threshold of sensitivity to alcohol, so in order to achieve the desired effect of its use, they must drink much larger amounts;

• drink alone or hide to do so;

• make a habit of drinking at certain hours of the day and become irritated when something prevents them from doing so or their drinking at that particular hour is in any way questioned;

• change their mood and become irritable when drinking time approaches and especially if they cannot get alcohol;

• store alcoholic beverages in hidden places at home, in the car and at the workplace;

• get drunk on purpose to feel good or drink in the hope of feeling normal;

• have problems with justice authorities, in personal and work relationships due to alcohol abuse;
• lose interest in activities and hobbies that previously gave them pleasure;

Treatment of alcoholism

Coping with alcohol addiction requires changing the habits of those affected and forming new ones:

• build healthy habits – for example, develop sleep hygiene, start exercising and eat healthy, this will help you get rid of your addiction;

• do things that are not related to alcohol use – replace your previous “drinking rituals” with activities you enjoyed or past hobbies that you are now given the opportunity to discover again.

Prevention

Timely measures can prevent the formation of alcohol dependence in adolescents. In young people, the likelihood of addiction depends on the influence of parents, peers and other role models.

If you have a teenager in the family, be alert for the following signs:

• loss of interest in activities that used to give him pleasure and in his personal appearance;

• often red eyes, slurred speech, coordination problems and lapses most often in short-term memory;

• difficulty communicating or changes in relationships with your circle of friends, for example you may join a new crowd;

• poor school performance and other problems at school, most often with classmates;