Alcoholism
Alcohol is the most commonly abused chemical in the world. The American Medical Association (AMA) has determined alcoholism as a disease. Alcohol problems vary in severity from mild to life threatening and affect the individual, the person's family, and society in numerous adverse ways. Despite the focus on drugs such as cocaine, alcohol remains the number one drug problem in the United States. According to community surveys, over 13% of adults in the United States will experience alcohol abuse or dependence (also referred to as alcoholism) at some point in their lives.
What you need to know about Alcoholism
Alcohol abuse refers to excessive or problematic use with one or more of the following:
- Failure to fulfill major obligations at work, school, or home
- Recurrent use in situations where it is hazardous (such as driving a car or operating machinery)
- Legal problems
- Continued use of alcohol despite having social, family, or interpersonal problems caused by or worsened by drinking
- Alcohol dependence refers to a more serious disorder and involves excessive or maladaptive use leading to 3 or more of the following:
- Tolerance changes (need for more to achieve desired effect, or achieving the effect with lesser amounts of alcohol)
- Withdrawal symptoms following a reduction or cessation of drinking (such as sweating, rapid pulse, tremors, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, agitation, anxiety, or seizures) or using alcohol to avoid withdrawal symptoms (for example, early morning drinking)
- Drinking more alcohol or drinking over a longer period of time than intended (loss of control)
- Inability to cut down or stop
- Spending a great deal of time drinking or recovering from its effects
- Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities
- Continuing to drink despite knowing alcohol use has caused or worsened problems
The great majority of alcoholics go unrecognized by physicians and health care professionals. This is largely because of the alcoholic’s ability to conceal the amount and frequency of drinking, denial of problems caused by or made worse by drinking, the gradual onset of the disease, and the body's ability to adapt to increasing alcohol amounts.
Family members often deny or minimize alcohol problems and unwittingly contribute to the continuation of alcoholism by well-meaning behaviors such as shielding the alcoholic from adverse consequences of drinking or taking over family or economic responsibilities. Often the drinking behavior is concealed from loved ones and health care providers.
Alcoholics, when confronted, will often deny excess consumption of alcohol. Alcoholism is a diverse disease and is often influenced by the alcoholic's personality as well as by other factors. Therefore, signs and symptoms often vary from person to person. There are, however, certain behaviors and signs that indicate someone may have a problem with alcohol. These behaviors and signs include insomnia, frequent falls, bruises of different ages, blackouts, chronic depression, anxiety, irritability, tardiness or absence at work or school, loss of employment, divorce or separation, financial difficulties, frequent intoxicated appearance or behavior, weight loss, or frequent automobile collisions.
Late signs and symptoms include medical conditions such as pancreatitis, gastritis, cirrhosis, neuropathy, anemia, cerebellar atrophy, alcoholic cardiomyopathy (heart disease), Wernicke's encephalopathy (abnormal brain functioning), Korsakoff's dementia, central pontine myelinolysis (brain degeneration), seizures, confusion, malnutrition, hallucinations, peptic ulcers, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
If you have questions about whether you or a loved one may need help for alcoholism please call our call center 24 hours a day .
