Signs & Symptoms of Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a chronic illness that affects millions of people around the world. It is estimated that nearly 18 million people in the United States are alcoholics, and millions more participate in the abuse of alcohol. Alcohol and alcohol abuse can have serious negative impacts on the emotional, physical and financial well being of individuals that drink on a regular basis and on those that occasionally drink more than they should.

What is Alcohol Abuse?

Alcohol abuse differs from alcoholism however; people who are alcoholics do abuse alcohol. Alcoholism occurs when people develop a dependency on alcohol and have difficulty functioning without it. People that abuse alcohol do not necessarily depend on it to get by, but they do drink more than the amount recommended by medical professionals. Binge drinking is a common problem among Americans of all ages and involves drinking more than four or five drinks in one sitting.

There are numerous alcohol effects that occur with drinking a large amount and the abuse of alcohol. Impaired judgment, slurred speech and the impaired ability to drive or operate heavy machinery are among the most common signs of alcohol abuse. When people drink in excess for extended periods of time, they also put themselves at increased risk for multiple health problems, such as liver disease, heart problems, kidney failure and other medical complications. The effect of alcohol not only intoxicates the person consuming the alcohol, it also greatly affects their overall health and wellbeing.

Indicators of Alcoholism

In some situations, alcoholics will go to great lengths to conceal their drinking habits and keep them from friends and family members. It's not always easy to identify when someone may have a serious drinking problem, but the chronic abuse of alcohol often creates many different problems in one's life that can be difficult to keep hidden. Changes in behavior, financial problems, the loss of interest in normal activities and isolation from loved ones are all signs that are typically associated with a drug or alcohol problem.

In the past few decades, extensive research has been conducted on the subjects of alcoholism and drug addiction, and it has been determined that addiction is a disease. This means that there are certain factors, such as genetics and biological predisposition that are out of the direct control of an individual over their own addictive behaviors. This does not give addicts and alcoholics the freedom to go on in their addiction without taking responsibility for their actions, but it does mean that beating an addiction takes a lot more than mere will power.

Alcoholism is a disease that cannot be cured, but it can be treated. Through attending drug treatment classes and therapy sessions, alcoholics can recover from their disease and go on to live sober and healthy lives. However, the temptation to drink and the threat of falling back into the cycle of addiction may always be present. To recover from the disease of addiction can be very difficult. It takes determination, commitment, and the true inner desire to make positive changes. But with a positive mindset and help from drug treatment professionals, sobriety is attainable.