Alcoholism can be a sneaky and unforgiving culprit. It has actually been recognized by the medical community as a disease. Those suffering from alcoholism have developed alcohol dependence syndrome, which causes the body to crave alcohol in order to function normally. There are particular reasons why this disease is so hard to overcome. Many are directly related to lifestyle choices, but others are not. As with any medical condition, the key to prevention is education. By understanding more about the causes and effects of alcoholism, people can better protect or prepare
themselves.
What Is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is the most brutal stage of alcohol problems. Once someone has become dependent on this substance, there are drastic symptoms. The body literally craves a drink on a regular basis. These cravings are extremely strong. These sufferers feel as if they cannot function without a drink. Without alcohol, the body goes through alcoholism withdrawal symptoms. Someone going through alcohol withdrawal usually experiences flu-like symptoms. These include nausea, cold sweats, and body aches. Alcoholism is a progressive disease. For this reason, it is also defined by a person’s desire to regularly increase the amount of alcohol they ingest. Their tolerance level forces them to drink more in order to feel the effects.
United States Alcoholism Statistics
- Every year, nearly 600,000 citizens in this country are injured while under the influence of alcohol.
- Approximately two million Americans are currently suffering from alcohol-related diseases.
- Cirrhosis of the liver is one of the most common diseases among those living with alcoholism.
- Because of the effects of alcohol abuse on the bloodstream, those who abuse alcohol are also more likely to develop infections and anemia.
- Alcoholism studies also indicate that the risk substantially increases when the person begins drinking at an early age.
- Alcoholism is also involved in nearly half of the crimes where alcohol is involved.
The Struggles of Recovery
Alcohol is the oldest and most prevalent addictive substance in the world. Many people use alcohol to celebrate events and recognize special occasions. For most people, drinking is normal, socially acceptable behavior. Television, radio, and even social media sites promote alcoholic beverages. That is one reason why alcoholism is so difficult to defeat. The temptation is all around. Although the legal drinking age is 21, many teenagers in this country experiment with alcohol. Young adults are generally more social, which provides more opportunities to drink. Because of this, they are at a much higher risk of alcoholism than other age groups. Also, there are certain stigmas attached to alcoholism. People struggling with alcoholism may be resistant to acknowledge their problem because of the fear of what others will think. Family members may treat you differently. Employers could believe you are unreliable or irresponsible.
No matter what challenges lie ahead, sufferers of
alcoholism disease have a responsibility to themselves and the ones they love. The first step is to admit there is a problem. Denial can be dangerous, if not fatal. There are doctors, treatments, and support groups to help guide people through these treacherous waters. Whether this is your fight or you are fighting for someone you love, you are not alone.
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