Alcoholism: What You Need to Know

Introduction

From the years of 1919 to 1933 the United States used the 18th amendment to regulate alcoholic beverages. The 18th amendment prohibited "the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors in the United States." During this time period of no alcohol, known as prohibition, alcohol use ratings went up in the United States. The intention of the United States government was to decrease the use of alcohol and stop the affects it had on the public. Unknowingly though they had created a need for alcohol so much that anyone would make it or buy it for any price. Speakeasies, illegal bars or taverns that severed alcohol, began to spring up all around the nation. Everyone knew that they were there, including police and politicians. The owners of the speakeasies paid off anyone who threatened to expose them so that they could serve alcohol and continue to make money. Alcoholism may have derived from this time period, causing people to spend most of their money on something that was supposed to be taboo.

In the world today, alcoholism is now viewed as a disorder that can be treated with therapy or possibly hospital care. The people that are least expected to be alcoholics turn out to be them. Many people do not understand what causes alcoholism or how it can affect any person that comes in contact with an alcoholic. Studies completed by physicians and other persons interested in alcoholism have proven that not only does alcoholism affect the alcoholic, but anyone around them as well.

What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is defined by Merriam-Webster as "continued excessive or compulsive use of alcoholic drinks and a complex chronic psychological and nutritional disorder associated with excessive and usually compulsive drinking." Having a few drinks occasionally with friends or co-workers is completely fine, but when people begin to cross the line and drink all the time, they become an alcoholic. Alcohol affects the pleasure centers of the brain. After prolonged exposure, the brain adapts to the effects and becomes dependant. Alcoholism can affect those close to everyone even if it is not easily visible. The alcoholic continues to drink even though the alcohol is causing that person harm. Many do not consider themselves to be alcoholics even though they are. A man who drinks five or more drinks and a woman who drinks four or more drinks at a time are considered alcoholics. These drinkers see what they do as a social or weekend thing when they really are destroying themselves on the inside. Alcohol not only affects the brain, but it affects the entire body. When an alcoholic stops drinking, they can possibly go into delirium tremens. These delirium tremens are an acute and sometimes fatal episode of delirium caused by withdrawal from alcohol after excessive drinking. Abstinence after years of drinking can lead to these tremens. That is why it is important to be in a program that offers a way to stop the drinking without leading to more negative effects.

Symptoms

Alcoholics are preoccupied with drinking, they deny their own addiction, and continue to drink even after knowing the risks. All they know is to drink to satisfy the urge. Early symptoms of alcoholism may be the unpleasant physical responses to withdrawal during abstinence. Alcoholics will feel withdrawal symptoms within six to forty-eight hours. The body becomes over-excited and stress hormones are over-produced. "Symptoms include fever, rapid heart beat, either high or low blood pressure, extremely aggressive behavior, hallucinations, or other mental disturbances." Most symptoms can be easily recognized and should be treated quickly. Other symptoms of alcoholism are not always visible and may take a trained eye to notice the problem. Very common symptoms in alcoholics are blackouts. These are periods of temporary amnesia lasting minutes or days. Sometimes symptoms of alcoholism can be confused with symptoms of other psychological disorders. Sometimes hallucinations can be from alcoholism and they can also be attributed to mental disorders such as schizophrenia.

Treatment

The first steps to treatment do no involve automatically placing a person into a treatment program or hospital. It involves recognizing the problem and letting the person know that they are an alcoholic. Alcoholics usually deny they have a problem and leave it up to friends, relatives, and coworkers to recognize the symptoms. Interventions, even only for fifteen minutes, can have good effects in reducing drinking in heavy drinkers. The treatment for the alcoholic begins with two goals: total abstinence, and replacement of addictive patterns. Removing alcohol from the alcoholics system requires that something else be put in its place. Whether the alcoholic joins a volunteer group, plays a sport, or finds a hobby, they can occupy themselves with something other then alcohol. If the alcoholic happens to be out with friends who want to drink, they may feel as if they are causing others to not enjoy what they are drinking. The alcoholic may have to hide their feelings when others around them drink or their friends may have to alter their habits and not drink when that person is around. Once the alcoholic has found something to occupy their time, they must continue to not drink. All alcohol drinking must be stopped in order for the alcoholic to receive some treatment. If they relapse and drink one or more alcoholic beverages, abstinence can begin again the next day so treatment is not delayed. In most cases, professional help may be needed to insure that treatment goes well. Qualified physicians or psychologists are needed in almost every case of alcoholism.

Another qualified group, Alcoholics Anonymous, has been helping recovering alcoholics since 1935. The Twelve Steps program and group meetings help to rehabilitate anyone who wants help. Group meetings and family involvement are very effective with alcohol treatment. In Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholics are given sponsors that they can turn to if they feel they might drink again. These sponsors are lifelines for them that they can call or see at any moment of any day in case they feel tempted to drink. Their treatment needs to be consistent or the alcoholic may relapse back to drinking. Rehabilitation centers are often a good choice for alcoholic treatment. There is very little chance of relapse while living in a rehabilitation center. Several weeks into the rehabilitation program, alcoholics begin to feel better about themselves.

Family Effects

Alcoholism not only affects the alcoholic but also their friends and family. The most serious risk for domestic violence for women is a history of alcohol abuse in their partners. The child of an alcoholic is also affected greatly by those who drink. "Children of alcoholics tend to do worse academically then others, have a higher incidence of depression, anxiety, and stress and lower self-esteem than other peers." Alcoholic parents can cause their children to lead unfulfilling lives and possibly become alcoholics themselves. Families with alcoholic parents also have a high risk of children drinking at a younger age. These COA's, children of alcoholics, may begin to drink in their teenage years and eventually become full-blown alcoholics as they age. Child abuse severely increases in families with alcoholic parents. Also, children who drink may neglect their school and household duties. Children of alcoholics never develop the skills necessary to resolve conflict. They often turn to alcohol to relieve their pain. Alcoholic parents who abuse their children create adults with many psychological issues. Adult children of alcoholics have difficulty forming relationships and may possibly become alcoholics. Children of alcoholics often grow up to marry someone who is an alcoholic. Some children believe that drinking is safer than trusting others. Drinking often numbs the pain. Certain groups of people are affected more by alcoholism then others. People in northern Europe have a higher rate of alcoholism then people in southern Europe. Although there is a high rate of alcoholism in Europe, the United States carries the highest rate in the world. Families should try to help alcoholics and not disown them. Society cannot help them as much as their family. Families cannot be safe while living with an alcoholic under the same roof.

Conclusion

Of all the disorders and diseases in the world, alcoholism is one of the many that are least talked about. Physicians and psychologists have concerns for those that are affected by alcoholism, including the alcoholic, their friends, and family. Anyone can receive treatment for alcoholism as long as they are willing to go through the programs and treatments necessary for their recovery. Giving up in the middle of treatment will get an alcoholic no where. They will relapse and return to their old ways. Only the help of those around the alcoholic can keep them in treatment and away from alcohol. While the alcoholic is affected the most by their drinking, their family receives much of the pain associated with the drinking. Husbands, wives, and children are all abused psychologically and physically by the alcoholic. Children suffer socially and educationally due to the drinking. Their grades may decline greatly and their teachers may notice a change in behavior during class. Because of the severity of this disorder, the symptoms should be known by all. Anyone who knows someone who drinks should be on the look out for the symptoms of alcoholism. Teaching students in school about alcoholism during health class can also be very useful in recognizing alcoholism in the home. If the students learn what to look for in their own homes, they may be able to get help for anyone they think needs it. Overall, alcoholism should be ignored by no one, and realized as a real disorder by all.