Who Are The Alcoholics 

 

To know them, requires defining the disease Alcoholism first.

The definition in simplest terms: A chronic disease in which the person suffering from it has a dependence on alcohol, experiences withdrawal symptoms when trying to avoid or decrease intake of alcohol, suffers bodily organ damage due to the alcohol and has a decreased ability to function at work or in relationships as a direct result of this disease.

The disease Alcoholism has been shown in studies to be the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Alcoholism can have a damaging affect on every organ system in the human body.

Knowing this, we can see that the Alcoholic is someone who is going to suffer long-term from the results of this very devastating disease.

The damage is not only to the sufferers body, but also to every aspect of life work, home, socially.

The outward appearance and mannerisms of an alcoholic does not endear them to those who might otherwise offer, through compassion, some assistance to them.

An alcoholic does not wear a sign proclaiming that he is suffering from a disease. Society looks at the alcoholic and may see instead invisible signs that say: low-life, scum, deserter, waste, bum etc.

Society as a whole tends to blame the alcoholic for the destruction surrounding them and demands that they just get their act together and stop immediately. The sad fact is, that the alcoholic cannot stop drinking immediately. Treatment for alcoholism is many faceted and involves time and commitment, because of the addictive nature of the disease.

According to the US National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Study, the person suffering from Alcoholism can be seen in the following statistics: Those who currently drink alcohol - 44% Those who formerly drank alcohol - 22% Those who abused or were dependent on alcohol over the past year - 7.5-9.5% Lifetime occurrence - 13.5-23.5% The person suffering from Alcoholism can be male, female, elderly, middle-aged, young adult, a teen, even a child as young as twelve or thirteen. One shudders to think of any younger possibilities.

 Did You Know

The Addictive Side Of Alcoholism Yes, it is a disease, but Alcoholism is also an addiction. It is the undeniable need for a drink that makes if an addiction.

It is the inability to stop at just one drink, and the level of difficulty in quitting, requiring professional assistance and the need for a support group to be able to kick the drinking habit; that makes Alcoholism an addiction. Alcohol is after all a drug. As an addiction the condition is a progressive one.

It changes in intensity growing and taking over like weeds in a garden. Addiction robs the drinker of the ability to see beyond the haze of alcohol to the reality of situations.

They may see an exaggerated reality that is fuzzy and unreal. Addiction makes choices for you that you would not otherwise make. Addiction often takes the romance out of relationships.

 
 
You may also find this person in the company of family members who also suffer from this same disease.
 
The Alcoholic can also be seen in the affects that alcohol renders on the body's systems promoting further diseases such as Cirrhosis of the liver, or breast, mouth and oropharyngeal, liver and esophageal cancers.
 
Alcoholism can even contribute to hemorrhagic stroke.
 
Interesting Facts

Recent studies have determined that genetics plays a vital role in the development of alcoholism but the exact genes or genetic pathways to addiction have not been found.
 
We notice the Alcoholic in the following scenarios playing the part of the accused, victim, participant or as a statistic in some national news story: Vehicular accidents Homicides Suicides Divorces Domestic Violence Alcoholism affects not just the one who consumes alcohol; it has a devastating affect on the lives of those around them as well.
 
You can find the Alcoholic mirrored in the sad eyes of three quarters of all American foster children and in the eyes of the 60 70% of abused spouses and partners who suffer from domestic violence and report it.

 

 
 alcohol affects
 

Better Your Health

Site Map
What is the Attraction To Alcohol
Alcoholism is a Widespread Problem
◦ The Difference Between Alcohol Dependence And Alcohol Abuse
◦ FAQ's About Alcoholism Pt 1
◦ FAQ's About Alcoholism Pt 2
◦ A Brief Summary Regarding Alcoholism
◦ Alcohol Abuse and the College Campus
◦ The Brain And Alcohol
◦ Health Risks For Women Alcoholics
◦ Holiday Survival Guide For The Alcoholic
◦ How A Child See's Alcoholism
◦ Alcoholism Detoxification Steps
◦ Alcoholism and the Workplace
◦ The Children of Alcoholics
◦ Common Questions About Alcoholism
◦ Tests for Alcohol Use
◦ Do All Alcoholics Need a Rehab Center
◦ The Dangers and Penalties Of Drinking and Driving
◦ The War On Drunk Driving
◦ How To Determine When Someone Needs Professional Help
◦ Some Facts About Alcoholism
◦ Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
◦ Diet Hints To Assist With Alcoholism Withdrawal
◦ Helping Someone To Overcome Alcoholism
◦ Alcoholism Risk Is Linked to Early Aged Drinking
◦ A Portrait Of An Alcoholic
◦ The Symptoms of Alcoholism
◦ Basic Facts About Alcoholism
◦ Hard Facts About Alcoholism
◦ Cautions Concerning Non Alcoholic Beer
◦ The College Campus And Alcoholism
◦ Dangers of Alcoholism
◦ Alcoholics Anonymous Steps 1-6
◦ Alcoholics Anonymous Steps 6-12
◦ What Causes An Alcoholic Blackout
◦ New Shot to Treat Alcoholism
◦ Alcoholism's Physical Effects
◦ Group Support For Alcoholism
◦ Threats From Alcoholism
◦ The Truth About Alcoholism
◦ Treating The Three Main Issues In Alcoholism
◦ Treatments for Alcoholism
◦ Vitamins and Supplements For The Alcoholic
◦ Recovering From Alcoholism
◦ Help Your Teen Avoid Becoming An Alcoholic
◦ What Is Alcholism
◦ Family Members Drinking Too Much
◦ Explain Alcoholism
◦ Who Are The Alcoholics
◦ Women Fighting The Consequences of Alcoholism
◦ Al Anon Support For The Alcoholic's Family
◦ Health Consequences Of Alcoholism
◦ Medications Used For Treating Alcoholism
◦ Screening Tests For Alcoholism
◦ What Is The Difference Between Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism
◦ What the Bible Says About Alcohol Abuse
◦ How to Stop Drinking Alcohol without AA
◦ The Truth About Alcoholics Anonymous
◦ Alcoholism - Curable or Just Controllable
◦ The Causes of Alcoholism
◦ So How Much Drinking Really Is Too Much?
◦ Is Alcoholism Hereditary
◦ What Children Need to Know About Alcohol
◦ How to Recognize When Children are Drinking
◦ What You Need to Know about how to Set Up an Intervention for an Alcoholic
◦ How to Quit Drinking Without Gaining Weight