ALCOHOLISM
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependency or alcohol
dependence syndrome, indicates a physical or psychological addiction and chronic
compulsion to drink, marked by increased tolerance, uncontrolled consumption,
and severe withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol is often portrayed as a source of
infinite fun and an efficient method of oiling the social machinery. When
abused, it has been a source of untold misery, familial strife, sickness and
death. Alcohol refers to ethyl alcohol,
the chemical result of fermentation or distillation of grains or fruits. It is
a depressant drug that can also have a stimulant effect in smaller doses. Here
are some facts about alcohol and alcoholism that you may or may not be aware
of:
STATISTICS
§ Close
to $200 million dollars is spent daily on alcohol in the United States alone.
§ Fermented
drinks like beer and wine contain from 2%-20% alcohol.
§ Distilled
drinks – called liquor or spirits – contain from 40%-60% alcohol.
§ Approximately
100,000 deaths per year in the United States are classified as alcohol related.
These include fatalities due to traffic accidents, circulatory and respiratory
disease, alcohol poisoning, falls, drowning, fire, suicide, homicide, and other
incidents.
§ One
in ten children in America has a parent that is an alcoholic.
§ Alcohol
abuse is directly connected with a number of violent crimes: Over 40% of rape
cases; 80% of spousal battery cases; as well as over 70% of stabbings,
felonies, and incidents of child abuse.
CRAVINGS
A person suffering from alcohol dependence
experiences cravings for drink on a continual basis. The cravings are such that
they will often drink in inappropriate settings – while working, driving,
operating heavy machinery, or during other sensitive activities. Their drinking
will often be concealed and others may not be aware of the fact. They will go
away to drink and return, or mix their drink with something else to hide it
(such as vodka with orange juice). They’ll mask their breath and deny they were
drinking. A heavy drinker will often state that they drink because they
“choose” to do so. They’ll explain away all manner upsets in their life that
stem from their alcohol abuse. It is an unfortunate fact that they will often
exhibit “denial” and will routinely lie to conceal their habit.
TOLERANCE
As an individual is drawn further and further into
alcohol abuse, their bodies build up tolerance. They must drink more and more
to get drunk. They must drink more and more to feel “normal.” Some alcoholics
“drink to blackout” on a routine – even daily – basis, wherein they will drink
until they literally pass out, or the next morning they cannot recall what
happened after blackout. The sheer quantity an alcoholic will drink is enough
to astound someone unfamiliar with the subject. Not uncommon is a person who
will drink a quart of liquor and as many as ten beers on a daily basis. The
combination of cravings, tolerance and an inability to limit consumption makes
for a continually deteriorating situation for the individual afflicted with
alcohol dependence. Professional rehabilitation is the answer.
LONG-TERM RESULTS
Heroin and methamphetamine have earned their place
amongst the most destructive drugs to the human body. But alcohol is high on
the list. The course of alcohol addiction can go for years or decades. The
deterioration may be more gradual than illicit opiates or amphetamines, but
this only adds to the insidious nature of alcoholism. Alcoholism could be
described as more of a downward-spiraling progression than a single
destination. A person can wake up one day and realize they have been an
alcoholic for years. A partial list of some of the long-term effects:
§ Injuries
and fatalities associated with driving while intoxicated, falls, burns,
drowning, firearms.
§ Sexual
assault, domestic violence, child abuse.
§ Loss
of productivity, absenteeism, getting fired.
§ Broken
relationships, broken homes, familial strife and trauma.
§ Alcohol
poisoning (toxic level in bloodstream which can be fatal).
§ B
vitamin deficiency – characterized by disorientation, memory loss, and
depression.
§ Malnutrition.
§ High
blood pressure, stroke, cardiovascular disorders.
§ Cirrhosis
(degeneration) of the liver.
§ Permanent
nerve and brain damage.
§ Cancer
of the mouth or throat.
§ Sexual
dysfunction.
§ Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome – birth defects caused by the mother's consumption of alcohol
during pregnancy, characterized by retardation of mental development and physical
growth, particularly of the skull and face of the infant.
§ Ulcers
§ Gastritis
(inflammation of stomach walls).
WITHDRAWAL
Protracted dependence upon alcohol creates serious
physical addiction and attendant withdrawal symptoms. These can be very severe
in nature and include nausea, sweating, tremors, and anxiety. An alcoholic is
also very likely to experience delirium tremens, also known as DTs (literally
means trembling delirium). The violent nature of DTs requires medical
supervision; people have been known to die from DTs alone. The symptoms of DTs include
extreme agitation, seizure, hallucinations, loss of touch with reality, and a
form of psychosis. The experience of withdrawal is another reason the alcoholic
will not want to quit – it’s just too painful.
HOLISTIC REHABILITATION
Rehab centers
often utilize a number of prescription drugs while attempting to help a person
through alcohol withdrawal. A breakthrough in the field of holistic rehabilitation
was the discovery that a long-term alcoholic or drug addict has essentially been
malnourished. Their bodies have been depleted of vital vitamins, minerals and
nutrients. In particular, the B vitamin group, as well as calcium and
magnesium, have been isolated as key nutrients to replenish in the withdrawal
process. By concentrating on providing the body with natural compounds, and
avoiding pharmaceuticals, holistic rehabilitation has made a significant stride
in drug-free withdrawal. The programs available at Best Drug Rehabilitation
offer a full array of proven holistic methods. Where a person was once a slave
to alcohol, they can be free to live their lives. Where they once had to get
drunk just to get through the day, they can instead experience a rewarding and
sober existence.
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