How to Recognize The Beginnings of Alcoholism

Alcoholism is also known as alcohol dependence. There are four main symptoms to the disease: craving or a strong need to drink, loss of control or the failure to control one's drinking, physical dependence, and tolerance. Once a person has physical independence, he would usually experience withdrawal symptoms whenever he fails to drink alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms include: anxiety, shakiness, sweating, and nausea.

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are not the same terms. In alcohol abuse, there are no withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol abuse is merely a series of drinking that result in or more of the following situations within a 12-month period. Alcohol abuse results to failure in work, school, and home responsibilities. It could also be physically dangerous, especially if the drunk attempts to drive a car while intoxicated.

A person would know if he is already addicted when he drinks alone and in secret. He is unable to limit his alcohol intake. The person blacks out or does not remember commitments and conversations. The person actually makes a ritual of having drinks before, with, or after dinner and would get angry if the ritual is changed. Also, the person may be losing interest in hobbies and activities. There is a feeling or a compulsion to drink. It is possible for the person to keep alcohol in his car too. At this stage, the person would already experience withdrawal symptoms if he does not drink. In order to feel normal or good, the alcoholic would drink or gulp down alcohol. The existence of legal problems related to finances, employment, and relationships is another sign of alcoholism. High tolerance to alcohol is another danger sign of alcoholism. Lastly, the person would feel irritable, especially when it is near his drinking time.

Treatment for alcoholism would depend on the severity of the condition. Treatment usually incorporates detoxification to get rid of alcohol in the system. Also, there would be medications and individual or group counseling. Counseling would usually identify the triggers to alcohol intake. Counseling sessions would help the patient to develop new coping abilities that excludes the use of alcohol. Marital counseling and family therapy are usually included in programs designs for therapy among alcoholics. This is because the family is a very important support group for the alcoholic.

The first step in the treatment is to find out the level of dependence. If there is still control over alcohol drinking, part of the treatment would be to reduce drinking. But if the patient is already dependent on alcohol, the treatment goal would be complete abstinence from it. For those who are not dependent on alcohol, but already experienced side effects related to drinking, the treatment is focused on reducing alcohol-related problems through counseling and brief intervention.

Counseling for alcoholism is usually cognitive behavior therapy. The therapist's aim would be identify factors that brought about psychological stress. Coping with traumatic events is also taught. Another therapy used is called the aversion therapy. In the United States, alcoholics can avail of treatment programs in their own residents for their convenience.