Alcoholism

Table of contents
What is alcoholism? Factors that characterize alcoholism. What drives people towards alcohol? The phases of alcohol drinking. What does alcohol do to the body? Treatments, therapy and what one can do to help an alcoholic

What is alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a condition in which the individual has lost control over his alcohol intake in that he is constantly unable to refrain from drinking once he begins. it is a progressive disease that impairs the psychological, emotional, and physical health of both the alcoholic and his or her family. it has been labeled as a family disease because its effects lead to dysfunctional roles and behaviors of the alcoholic and their family members.

Factors that characterize alcoholism

Excessive intake of alcoholic beverages Individuals increasing worry over his drinking Loss of the drinkers control over his own drinking Disturbance in his functioning in the social world

What really drives people towards alcohol?

Societal pressures Work pressures/ jobs of high stress levels Lack of direction in life Unaccomplished goals / inadequacies Problems in personal life, marriage etc Peer pressure Low self esteem

The phases of alcohol drinking

Alcoholism progresses through a series of three phases:

1.

the drinker may drink to cope with stress, personal problems, or feelings of inadequacy. In this phase, the person may drink daily at the same time and begin building their tolerance. They might take to sneaking drinks, hiding bottles and having difficulty stopping their consumption.
Soon the drinker looks for opportunities as they can to abuse. They may soon withdraw from friends and begin to drink in secret. The drinker becomes increasingly unreliable and reaches a stage of denial where they begin questioning their habit and blaming their family members for their problems.

2.

Continued
3. the drinkers completely dependent and shows withdrawal symptoms when theyre denied alcohol. Alcoholic withdrawal is an uncomfortable, sickening, and sometimes painful, physical or mental change that occurs when the body is deprived of the amount of alcohol its used to receiving. Withdrawal symptoms occur four to twelve hours after an alcoholic slows down or stops drinking. These symptoms can last for days, and in extreme cases can lead to death. This serious fatal condition is known as delirium tremens or the DTs. Symptoms of the DTs include hallucinations, confusion, irritability, severe trembling, and seizures

What Does Alcohol do to the Body?

Excessive alcohol use is capable of producing short and long term health effects. Alcoholics not only risk their own health by drinking, but they also risk the well-being of those around them. It can cause devastating health problems in pregnant women and can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth baby and mental physical health effects in the fetus. Psychiatric problems such as depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety are influenced by excessive alcohol intake.

continued
develop painful conditions such as gastritis and pancreatitis. In some cases may also lead to cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, breast, liver and stomach. Organs such as the liver rid the body of harmful toxins, and the overuse of this organ can lead to alcoholic hepatitis. Hepatitis can then turn into cirrhosis, which is when healthy liver tissue turns to scar tissue.

Treatments, therapy for alcoholics

Detoxification in hospitals Involving an alcoholics family in his treatment and rehabilitation enhances the chances of success by 75 to 80%. Alcoholics Anonymous an organization of ex-alcoholics located in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkatta Empowering NGOs who in turn educate the people through de-addiction programmes and campaign

Thank You