Signs of Alcoholism
By Jennifer Bailey
One of the hardest things to do is to recognize that you have a drinking problem, which may be a result of denial, pride, or even the fact that your dependence may have already clouded your judgment. Unfortunately, not being able to recognize that you have a problem can have very negative effects, which includes losing your life as some of the physical effects of alcoholism have proven to be fatal. However, answering the question on whether you have a drinking problem can be made simple as long as you are able to recognize if you exhibit some of the warning signs characterize alcoholism.
Signs of being an alcoholic
Studies have shown that there are some warning signs that you should look out for if you think that you may have a drinking problem. Some of these include finding yourself drinking alone most of the time and when you find yourself always making or finding excuses to drink. Other warning signs include feeling the need to drink to be functional and an inability to stop or reduce your alcohol intake. Violent episodes related to drinking and being angry when you are confronted about your drinking are also warning signs of alcoholism.
Other signs also include finding yourself drinking secretly, having poor eating habits, failing to care for your physical appearance and frequent trembling in the morning. However, if you consider yourself a “problem drinker, ” which means that you only drink to cope with your problems, you should be careful when the situation is reversed. This reversal means that it would be drinking that causes the problems at your work, and your relationships suffer the more you become addicted.
Accepting that you have a drinking problem can be very challenging because being an alcoholic does not make you the best judge to determine whether you have a problem. This is because alcohol dependence can cloud your judgment. However, having knowledge of the warning signs of alcoholism can help you detect if you indeed have a drinking problem. Once you have recognized that you exhibit most of these warning signs, it would then be a good idea to ask for professional help that can help you overcome the disease before the disease becomes more chronic. Fortunately, help is readily available, as there is large number rehabilitation centers, and support groups such as AA that you can access to help you overcome your alcoholism.
Alcoholism provides detailed information on Alcoholism, Alcoholism Treatments, Signs Of Alcoholism, Effects Of Alcoholism and more. Alcoholism is affiliated with Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Bailey
Friday, July 28, 2006
Alcoholism Stages - 3 Stages of Alcoholism You Should Know
Alcoholism Stages - 3 Stages of Alcoholism You Should Know
By David Buster
Alcoholism stages can be categorized into three stages of alcoholism -- early stage, middle stage and end stage alcoholism or late stage alcoholism. Alcoholism stages generally take years to develop. Alcoholism is a disease where alcoholic beverage consumption is at a level that interferes with physical or mental health, and negatively impacts social, family or occupational responsibilities.
Consuming no more than one or two drinks per day for healthy men and a drink a day for healthy non-pregnant women are generally considered acceptable alcohol consumption without health risks. However, as the amount or frequency of drinking increases, the earliest of the alcoholism stages can develop as a result.
Early Stages of Alcoholism
In the early alcoholism stages, a person begins to depend on alcohol to affect their mood. They drink for relief from problems, and they begin thinking more and more about alcohol. The person and others around them may not recognize that they are in the earliest of the stages of alcoholism. A gradual increase in tolerance happens, meaning, it takes increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the desired mood-altering effects. Often, the person can consume large amounts of alcohol without appearing impaired.
In the early alcoholism stages, the body has adapted to increasing amounts of alcohol. In fact, how a person functions will likely be improved with drinking as blood alcohol levels rise. For example, they can think and talk normally or walk a straight line with no problem. However, with continued alcohol consumption over time, the body begins to lose its ability to deal with high alcohol levels. As this occurs, when the alcoholic stops drinking and their blood alcohol level decreases, their thinking, talking or walking functions deteriorate, and they are moving into the next of the stages of alcoholism.
Middle Alcoholism Stages
The need and desire to drink gradually becomes more intense. Drinking larger amounts and more often happens as well as drinking earlier in the day. The alcoholic is losing control over drinking, and the body is losing its ability to process alcohol like it did in the early stages of alcoholism. Their tolerance decreases as they become intoxicated more easily. Withdrawal symptoms begin to become more severe if alcohol is reduced.
The person may now secretly recognize there is a drinking problem, and others may begin to notice as well. Unfortunately, the alcoholic no longer can judge how much alcohol their body can handle. Typically, the drinker denies to themselves and others that alcohol is a problem so they won't have to deal with their inner turmoil. Hangovers, blackouts and stomach problems can now be physical symptoms that occur on a regular basis.
End Stage Alcoholism
As alcoholism progresses, the alcoholic has become obsessed with drinking to the exclusion of nearly everything else. Everyone can tell there's a major problem. During the late alcoholism stages, the mental and physical health of the alcoholic are seriously deteriorating. Many of the body's organs have been damaged which lowers resistance to disease. Relationships at home or socially may have been severely damaged, and there can be mounting financial and legal problems due to the alcoholic's powerlessness over alcohol.
Every alcoholic will suffer from malnutrition. Alcohol in large amounts interferes with the digestion process and the passage of nutrients from the intestines into the bloodstream. Liver function has been damaged, further limiting the conversion of nutrients into a usable form that the body can assimilate. The damaged cells are not receiving the needed nutrients, they cannot repair themselves and the damage continues. Nutritional deficiencies cause a host of related problems to become worse. For example, vitamin B-1 deficiency common in alcoholics can result in loss of mental alertness and appetite, fatigue, confusion and emotional instability.
And if the alcoholic continues drinking, alcohol will cause the death of the alcoholic in one way or another. From suicide, accidents and related injuries to direct damage to the body's organs and systems, death will likely be the final outcome of end stage alcoholism.
Are there warning signs of alcoholism? Yes! Understand the signs and symptoms that indicate that alcohol consumption is becoming or is already a problem. There are resources available in a variety of ways to help deal with alcoholism stages and the serious consequences of this disease.
Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing
Learn more about alcoholism signs you should know. David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com - a website of natural health articles and resources.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Buster
By David Buster
Alcoholism stages can be categorized into three stages of alcoholism -- early stage, middle stage and end stage alcoholism or late stage alcoholism. Alcoholism stages generally take years to develop. Alcoholism is a disease where alcoholic beverage consumption is at a level that interferes with physical or mental health, and negatively impacts social, family or occupational responsibilities.
Consuming no more than one or two drinks per day for healthy men and a drink a day for healthy non-pregnant women are generally considered acceptable alcohol consumption without health risks. However, as the amount or frequency of drinking increases, the earliest of the alcoholism stages can develop as a result.
Early Stages of Alcoholism
In the early alcoholism stages, a person begins to depend on alcohol to affect their mood. They drink for relief from problems, and they begin thinking more and more about alcohol. The person and others around them may not recognize that they are in the earliest of the stages of alcoholism. A gradual increase in tolerance happens, meaning, it takes increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the desired mood-altering effects. Often, the person can consume large amounts of alcohol without appearing impaired.
In the early alcoholism stages, the body has adapted to increasing amounts of alcohol. In fact, how a person functions will likely be improved with drinking as blood alcohol levels rise. For example, they can think and talk normally or walk a straight line with no problem. However, with continued alcohol consumption over time, the body begins to lose its ability to deal with high alcohol levels. As this occurs, when the alcoholic stops drinking and their blood alcohol level decreases, their thinking, talking or walking functions deteriorate, and they are moving into the next of the stages of alcoholism.
Middle Alcoholism Stages
The need and desire to drink gradually becomes more intense. Drinking larger amounts and more often happens as well as drinking earlier in the day. The alcoholic is losing control over drinking, and the body is losing its ability to process alcohol like it did in the early stages of alcoholism. Their tolerance decreases as they become intoxicated more easily. Withdrawal symptoms begin to become more severe if alcohol is reduced.
The person may now secretly recognize there is a drinking problem, and others may begin to notice as well. Unfortunately, the alcoholic no longer can judge how much alcohol their body can handle. Typically, the drinker denies to themselves and others that alcohol is a problem so they won't have to deal with their inner turmoil. Hangovers, blackouts and stomach problems can now be physical symptoms that occur on a regular basis.
End Stage Alcoholism
As alcoholism progresses, the alcoholic has become obsessed with drinking to the exclusion of nearly everything else. Everyone can tell there's a major problem. During the late alcoholism stages, the mental and physical health of the alcoholic are seriously deteriorating. Many of the body's organs have been damaged which lowers resistance to disease. Relationships at home or socially may have been severely damaged, and there can be mounting financial and legal problems due to the alcoholic's powerlessness over alcohol.
Every alcoholic will suffer from malnutrition. Alcohol in large amounts interferes with the digestion process and the passage of nutrients from the intestines into the bloodstream. Liver function has been damaged, further limiting the conversion of nutrients into a usable form that the body can assimilate. The damaged cells are not receiving the needed nutrients, they cannot repair themselves and the damage continues. Nutritional deficiencies cause a host of related problems to become worse. For example, vitamin B-1 deficiency common in alcoholics can result in loss of mental alertness and appetite, fatigue, confusion and emotional instability.
And if the alcoholic continues drinking, alcohol will cause the death of the alcoholic in one way or another. From suicide, accidents and related injuries to direct damage to the body's organs and systems, death will likely be the final outcome of end stage alcoholism.
Are there warning signs of alcoholism? Yes! Understand the signs and symptoms that indicate that alcohol consumption is becoming or is already a problem. There are resources available in a variety of ways to help deal with alcoholism stages and the serious consequences of this disease.
Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing
Learn more about alcoholism signs you should know. David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com - a website of natural health articles and resources.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Buster
Drug And Alcohol Treatments
Drug And Alcohol Treatments
By Peter Emerson
Just like alcoholism, drug dependence is a disease and as such, it can be treated using rehabilitation programs. However, there are stark differences in the nature of the problems that are experienced by drug dependents. In some cases, physical effects are more pronounced as some drug dependents develop mental illness. In addition to this most drug addicts are also more prone to destructive behavior as compared to their alcoholic counterparts. This may be because the substances abused by drug addicts tend to have more adverse effects, as they are more “potent.” The wide varieties of drugs that are available also add to the complexity of drug addiction and its treatment.
Treatment
In the same way that alcoholism may require tailored treatment, treating drug addiction also employs tailor-fit rehabilitation programs, although there is a wider variety because programs are sometimes created for specific drug-users and specific substances. The usual process that drug addicts undergo in rehabilitation is also similar to what alcoholics undergo since programs also follow the three steps—intervention, detoxification, and rehabilitation—that most rehabilitation centers use. During detoxification, patients also receive medications that not only help suppress withdrawal symptoms, but they also help block the effects of the substance to which the patient was addicted. During rehabilitation, patients also receive behavioral therapy, counseling, and family therapy.
The general principle in treating drug addiction is that the more the patient is treated, the higher the chances that the patient will be able to live a drug-free life after the program. Given this, drug dependents are encouraged to stay in the program longer and constant follow-ups through support groups are also encouraged.
Alcoholism and drug dependence are similar in a way because they both can be treated using the same rehabilitation programs and approaches. However, there are some differences on how these programs are administered because there are problems that are very specific to drug addiction. One of this includes programs that are created specifically for specific substances that are abused. Despite some differences, the goal of the treatment for both alcohol and drug dependence remains the same, which is to help people to successfully live cleaner lives and to successfully re-integrate themselves in society.
Alcohol Treatment provides detailed information on Alcohol Treatments, Drug And Alcohol Treatments, Alcohol Treatment Centers, Alcohol Treatment Programs and more. Alcohol Treatment is affiliated with Inpatient Alcohol Treatment Centers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Emerson
By Peter Emerson
Just like alcoholism, drug dependence is a disease and as such, it can be treated using rehabilitation programs. However, there are stark differences in the nature of the problems that are experienced by drug dependents. In some cases, physical effects are more pronounced as some drug dependents develop mental illness. In addition to this most drug addicts are also more prone to destructive behavior as compared to their alcoholic counterparts. This may be because the substances abused by drug addicts tend to have more adverse effects, as they are more “potent.” The wide varieties of drugs that are available also add to the complexity of drug addiction and its treatment.
Treatment
In the same way that alcoholism may require tailored treatment, treating drug addiction also employs tailor-fit rehabilitation programs, although there is a wider variety because programs are sometimes created for specific drug-users and specific substances. The usual process that drug addicts undergo in rehabilitation is also similar to what alcoholics undergo since programs also follow the three steps—intervention, detoxification, and rehabilitation—that most rehabilitation centers use. During detoxification, patients also receive medications that not only help suppress withdrawal symptoms, but they also help block the effects of the substance to which the patient was addicted. During rehabilitation, patients also receive behavioral therapy, counseling, and family therapy.
The general principle in treating drug addiction is that the more the patient is treated, the higher the chances that the patient will be able to live a drug-free life after the program. Given this, drug dependents are encouraged to stay in the program longer and constant follow-ups through support groups are also encouraged.
Alcoholism and drug dependence are similar in a way because they both can be treated using the same rehabilitation programs and approaches. However, there are some differences on how these programs are administered because there are problems that are very specific to drug addiction. One of this includes programs that are created specifically for specific substances that are abused. Despite some differences, the goal of the treatment for both alcohol and drug dependence remains the same, which is to help people to successfully live cleaner lives and to successfully re-integrate themselves in society.
Alcohol Treatment provides detailed information on Alcohol Treatments, Drug And Alcohol Treatments, Alcohol Treatment Centers, Alcohol Treatment Programs and more. Alcohol Treatment is affiliated with Inpatient Alcohol Treatment Centers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Emerson
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