One of the most notorious villains which is deeply embedded in today's society, Alcoholism is now recognized as not only a physical dependency, but also a psychological disorder which affects not only the alcoholic as a person, but also negatively impacts his social and interpersonal relationships. Alcohol enjoys a long history of being associated with celebrations, some of which it forms an integral part. Also, many individuals see no harm in simply pouring themselves out a measure or two of their finest scotch to relax and unwind after a long day. But it is when these situations begin to crop up with an uncanny regularity, or when you find yourself making excuses to explain your drinking habit that you need to pay heed. For these are the telltale signs of your occasional habit, transforming itself into an addiction.
When can a drinking habit be termed an addiction? Alcoholism or an addiction to alcohol can be determined as an overwhelming urge to partake of excessive amounts of alcohol, even when an individual's consumption patterns begin to have physical and psychological implications on him. These implications could range from social to personal where the individual begins to negatively impact his social ties, begins to suffer from several physical illnesses which can be attributed to his intake of alcohol, and begins to neglect his social and personal duties and responsibilities as a result of his drinking excesses.
At this point, many, if not all, of you will probably heave a sigh of relief. "That's not me!" you say to yourself. But did you know that the most common trait of all alcoholics is denial? And that recognizing the symptoms of your addiction, may be not be a very easy task, either for you or those you share your life with? Indeed, many individuals, who are dependent on alcohol, may go about their daily routine without any apparent interference in their behavior. The question is, do you really want to wait until you've broken that ground and then have to undergo drastic curative measures, when a few preventive steps would have been all that was needed?
That's right. There are several other, more subtle indications which signal that your patterns with alcohol are not headed the right way. For instance, if you are disillusioned with the world around you, if you tend to resort to a stiff drink to drown out your problems, or even have a family history of alcoholism, then you may be more prone to alcohol dependence than if you have different means of coping with stress or release of tension, both physical and mental.
The consequences of alcohol abuse begin right when you down that first snifter. Your liver it is worst hit as alcohol steadily leads to inflammation, which soon develops into jaundice, if you keep up with the intake and ultimately Liver Cirrhosis. Here, the tissue is scarred forever, a change which cannot be reversed. Alcohol addiction also causes severe malnutrition on account of the impairment in the absorption of number essential nutrients it is responsible for. The habit of heavy drinking in women is also known to cause several pre-natal birth defects during pregnancy, an irregular menstrual cycle or even Amenorrhea. Alcohol addiction is also wont to cause several behavioral disorders which can start with marital discord and eventually even criminal and antisocial behaviors.
If, in all honesty, you have even the slightest inkling of a doubt that you're alcohol consumption patterns do tend to border on the high side, or if your family or even friends seem to be a lot more concerned about your 'binges' than they were in the past, then it's time you had a heart-to-heart with your doctor. What you must remember is that when it comes to determining whether your drinking is taking its toll on you, you are not the best judge. Your doctor will refer you to appropriate counselors to deal with your habit, based on what level of treatment he deems necessary. If your drinking is just marginally higher than the recommended levels, he will simply ask you to curtail your habit. If you are indeed in the throes of addiction, a detoxification program will be prescribed which then needs to be followed up by counseling and group therapy sessions. For more excruciating withdrawal symptoms, you may also be prescribed medication to ease your process of recovery. However, it is essential that you take the initiative to avoid gathering and interactions where you might be coaxed into a drink and refrain completely from any form of alcoholic beverage until your counselor permits it. Remember, it's never too late to begin; only that it's you who has to take the initiative. All it takes is one firm resolve to step away from the vicious cycle alcohol steeps you are in and you'll soon find that there's so much more that life has to offer!
When can a drinking habit be termed an addiction? Alcoholism or an addiction to alcohol can be determined as an overwhelming urge to partake of excessive amounts of alcohol, even when an individual's consumption patterns begin to have physical and psychological implications on him. These implications could range from social to personal where the individual begins to negatively impact his social ties, begins to suffer from several physical illnesses which can be attributed to his intake of alcohol, and begins to neglect his social and personal duties and responsibilities as a result of his drinking excesses.
At this point, many, if not all, of you will probably heave a sigh of relief. "That's not me!" you say to yourself. But did you know that the most common trait of all alcoholics is denial? And that recognizing the symptoms of your addiction, may be not be a very easy task, either for you or those you share your life with? Indeed, many individuals, who are dependent on alcohol, may go about their daily routine without any apparent interference in their behavior. The question is, do you really want to wait until you've broken that ground and then have to undergo drastic curative measures, when a few preventive steps would have been all that was needed?
That's right. There are several other, more subtle indications which signal that your patterns with alcohol are not headed the right way. For instance, if you are disillusioned with the world around you, if you tend to resort to a stiff drink to drown out your problems, or even have a family history of alcoholism, then you may be more prone to alcohol dependence than if you have different means of coping with stress or release of tension, both physical and mental.
The consequences of alcohol abuse begin right when you down that first snifter. Your liver it is worst hit as alcohol steadily leads to inflammation, which soon develops into jaundice, if you keep up with the intake and ultimately Liver Cirrhosis. Here, the tissue is scarred forever, a change which cannot be reversed. Alcohol addiction also causes severe malnutrition on account of the impairment in the absorption of number essential nutrients it is responsible for. The habit of heavy drinking in women is also known to cause several pre-natal birth defects during pregnancy, an irregular menstrual cycle or even Amenorrhea. Alcohol addiction is also wont to cause several behavioral disorders which can start with marital discord and eventually even criminal and antisocial behaviors.
If, in all honesty, you have even the slightest inkling of a doubt that you're alcohol consumption patterns do tend to border on the high side, or if your family or even friends seem to be a lot more concerned about your 'binges' than they were in the past, then it's time you had a heart-to-heart with your doctor. What you must remember is that when it comes to determining whether your drinking is taking its toll on you, you are not the best judge. Your doctor will refer you to appropriate counselors to deal with your habit, based on what level of treatment he deems necessary. If your drinking is just marginally higher than the recommended levels, he will simply ask you to curtail your habit. If you are indeed in the throes of addiction, a detoxification program will be prescribed which then needs to be followed up by counseling and group therapy sessions. For more excruciating withdrawal symptoms, you may also be prescribed medication to ease your process of recovery. However, it is essential that you take the initiative to avoid gathering and interactions where you might be coaxed into a drink and refrain completely from any form of alcoholic beverage until your counselor permits it. Remember, it's never too late to begin; only that it's you who has to take the initiative. All it takes is one firm resolve to step away from the vicious cycle alcohol steeps you are in and you'll soon find that there's so much more that life has to offer!
No comments:
Post a Comment