Info-Authority.com: Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive condition caused by a combination of genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors. While the biology of alcoholism is unknown, the American Psychiatric Association lists alcoholism as a disease of “alcohol dependency.”

Society's Take on Alcoholism

Society's view of alcoholism has changed dramatically. In 1995, a Gallup poll revealed that 90 percent of Americans believe that alcoholism is a disease. This is a dramatically changed view from that of alcohol dependency being sign of moral weakness.

Effects of Alcoholism

The effects of alcoholism on the body are far-reaching, the most commonly known being liver disease (cirrhosis). Alcoholism can also affect the pancreas, kidneys, the heart (cardiomyopathy), the central nervous system (polyneuropathy), and the brain (Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome). Pregnant women who drink put their unborn children at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome. Additionally, alcoholism results in head injuries (from falls), driving accidents, and numerous behavioral and personality changes.

Diagnosing Alcoholism

The signs and symptoms of alcoholism appear in many forms, including behaviors at first, family problems, and finally physical symptoms (as the disease takes its toll on the body). To find out if you are an alcoholic, there are many questionnaires that will ask you a variety of behavioral and psychological questions, such as the following:

Do you drink to alleviate stress?

Does it take more drinks for you to get a “buzz”?

Have you have experienced black-outs (you can't remember what you did while you were drinking)?

Do you require more drinks than others at social gatherings?

Do you regret your actions while drinking?

Have you've tried to control your drinking and failed?

Have you ever had a DUI (citation for drunk driving)?

Do you have relatives with alcohol problems?

Treating Alcoholism

There are a number of treatments for alcoholism, beginning with detoxification. Follow-up treatments include group therapy, individual psychotherapy, aversion therapy (i.e., medications such as Disufiram), and nutrition therapy. One of the most widely known sources for alcoholism is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). AA is an entirely self-help organization with millions of members and meetings worldwide.

Organizations Dealing with Alcoholism

Alcoholism affects not only the individual, but the family and friends of the alcoholic as well. The effects of alcoholism on society are far-reaching, including domestic violence and drunk driving. Many organizations have formed to deal with the peripheral, yet devastating effects of alcoholism. Such organizations include Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), formed 25 years ago to curb drunk driving through law enforcement, the use of sobriety checkpoints, promoting responsible drinking behavior, and the adoption of a zero tolerance policy for underage drinking. Al-Anon and Ala-teen are organizations based on the Alcoholics Anonymous model to help spouses and children of alcoholics.

While alcoholism is a potentially fatal disease, there are numerous treatment approaches and many resources for both the alcoholic and those who are impacted by his or her disease.

By Eve Visconti




	Alcoholism Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive condition caused by a combination of genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors. While the biology of alcoholism is unknown, the American Psychiatric Association lists alcoholism as a disease of “alcohol dependency.” Society's Take on Alcoholism Society's view of alcoholism has changed dramatically. In 1995, a Gallup poll revealed that 90 percent of Americans believe that alcoholism is a disease. This is a dramatically changed view from that of alcohol dependency being sign of moral weakness. Effects of Alcoholism The effects of alcoholism on the body are far-reaching, the most commonly known being liver disease (cirrhosis). Alcoholism can also affect the pancreas, kidneys, the heart (cardiomyopathy), the central nervous system (polyneuropathy), and the brain (Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome). Pregnant women who drink put their unborn children at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome. Additionally, alcoholism results in head injuries (from falls), driving accidents, and numerous behavioral and personality changes. Diagnosing Alcoholism The signs and symptoms of alcoholism appear in many forms, including behaviors at first, family problems, and finally physical symptoms (as the disease takes its toll on the body). To find out if you are an alcoholic, there are many questionnaires that will ask you a variety of behavioral and psychological questions, such as the following: Do you drink to alleviate stress? Does it take more drinks for you to get a “buzz”? Have you have experienced black-outs (you can't remember what you did while you were drinking)? Do you require more drinks than others at social gatherings? Do you regret your actions while drinking? Have you've tried to control your drinking and failed? Have you ever had a DUI (citation for drunk driving)? Do you have relatives with alcohol problems? Treating Alcoholism There are a number of treatments for alcoholism, beginning with detoxification. Follow-up treatments include group therapy, individual psychotherapy, aversion therapy (i.e., medications such as Disufiram), and nutrition therapy. One of the most widely known sources for alcoholism is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). AA is an entirely self-help organization with millions of members and meetings worldwide. Organizations Dealing with Alcoholism Alcoholism affects not only the individual, but the family and friends of the alcoholic as well. The effects of alcoholism on society are far-reaching, including domestic violence and drunk driving. Many organizations have formed to deal with the peripheral, yet devastating effects of alcoholism. Such organizations include Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), formed 25 years ago to curb drunk driving through law enforcement, the use of sobriety checkpoints, promoting responsible drinking behavior, and the adoption of a zero tolerance policy for underage drinking. Al-Anon and Ala-teen are organizations based on the Alcoholics Anonymous model to help spouses and children of alcoholics. While alcoholism is a potentially fatal disease, there are numerous treatment approaches and many resources for both the alcoholic and those who are impacted by his or her disease. By Eve Visconti Related Links: The Un-Official Web Site for Alcoholics Anonymous Related Information Primary resource for information about the worldwide self-help organization (AA) including history, resources, and philosophy.