Common Questions About Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a terrible disease that can affect an individuals life to a great degree, as well as the lives of
the individuals close family and friends.
In this article, we will work towards an understanding of the illness by examining some of the more
commonly asked questions that people have about it.
Question: Is alcoholism really a disease?
Answer: While many people hesitate when it comes to calling alcoholism a disease, the truth
is that truly is a form of progressive disease.
Individuals that are affected by alcoholism continue to consume alcohol regardless of negative consequences that
the drinking can have on their lives.
People that are alcoholics tend to follow similar courses of action in their disease as it progresses throughout
their lives, and there are certain hereditary and environmental factors that can definitely increase an individuals
likelihood to falling victim to alcoholism.
Question: How effective is treatment for alcoholism?
Answer: For some people, the treatments available for alcoholism are very successful. Others find
that they are able to successfully stave off the urge to drink for a period of time before relapsing, and others
find no help from the treatment at all.
Many find that initial treatments help them to hold off their urge to drink for a while before relapsing,
finally being able to conquer the problem after repeated attempts at the treatment.
It all comes down to the individual and their ability to recognize the problem and their commitment to fixing
it. If someone you know is trying to get over a case of alcoholism, you should be sure to be there to support them
and give them plenty of opportunities to participate in activities that are far removed from the world of
alcohol.
Question: Are there any types of medications that can assist in getting over a case of
alcoholism?
Answer: There are actually two different types of medication that have shown to be of merit when it
comes to helping alcoholics to get over their problem. Tranquilizers such as Valium and Librium are often employed
during the first few days of alcoholism treatment in order to help ease the individuals withdrawal from
alcohol.
Did You Know
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Alcoholism effects men and women at different levels and over different amounts of
time but one thing that everyone who is an alcoholic has in common is that their bodies will be
negatively affected and damaged from the regular intake of alcohol. Alcoholism affects all of the
body systems including the brain.
There are short-term effects that last during the drinking phase but once the
person is in recovery, those effects go away. There are also long-term effects that are caused by
the alcoholism and are permanent damage to the drinker.
Some of the short-term effects of alcoholism are related to being drunk. These
include things such as weight loss, intoxication, drunk driving, poor decision-making, and
irresponsibility and reproductive disorders.
Once the alcoholic is sober, they may have to go through counseling in order to
learn better responsibility and decision-making tools but without the alcohol, the person is much
better.
Of course being intoxicated goes away when the person stops drinking and they have
a tendency to gain weight because time that was spent drinking and not eating is replaced with at
least eating regular meals.
Alcohol alters the brain and inhibits its functioning. Interestingly, people will
feel like they are extra creative and will believe that they are "with it". However, alcohol is a
depressant and actually slows brain function.
Alcohol will actually inhibit creativity and productivity regardless of how it
makes the alcoholic feel. The regular use of alcohol will actually alter the reproductive cycle in
women and can cause infertility as well as other reproductive related problems.
The long-term or even permanent effects of alcoholism are more dangerous and
difficult if not impossible to recover from.
Alcoholism causes the human brain to literally shrink over time. This causes brain cells to die and can affect memory, sight,
smell, hearing, hormones, and the nervous system.
Alcoholism can also cause infertility in both men and women as well as permanent
birth defects in babies who are born to alcoholic mothers.
Cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer can result from excessive drinking as well
as cancers of the stomach and breast, too.
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Another type of medication that is useful for dealing with a case of alcoholism is known as ReVia. It works by
decreasing the cravings for alcohol that many alcoholics experience while they are trying to recoer.
ReVia, in combination with therapy, can be very useful when it comes to helping an individual to get over a
case of alcoholism. Getting over a case of alcoholism is a particularly difficult thing to do.
Many people try to get over the disease and end up relapsing. Just because it is difficult, however, doesnt
mean it is impossible.
Interesting Facts
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One of the problems of alcoholism is the effect the disease has on people in close proximity
to the alcoholic.
Next to family members, work colleagues are next in line to be affected by a
person’s drinking.
In many cases, the work partners spend time trying to cover for the alcoholic, which
prolongs the difficulties of working with an alcoholic and in actuality enables the person
doing the drinking.
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If you are experiencing a problem with alcoholism, it is important to remember that there are many individuals
that have been able to successfully kick the habit with hard work and dedication.
With the support of your friends or family and some fierce dedication, you too will be able to overcome your
problem.
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