“I’ve never seen anyone drink themselves smart, successful or happy. Most end up broke, bitter or alone.” – Anonymous
I am often stymied about the general misconceptions people have about alcoholism. “But I don’t drink first thing in the morning, I only drink on weekends, I only drink wine, never spirits,” they will say. If you are trying to control something, it is by definition out of control.
What is an Alcoholic?
An alcoholic is a man or a woman who have a distinct physical desire to consume alcohol beyond their ability to control it, regardless of the rules of common sense. Although most people abuse alcohol because it makes them feel better about themselves, the truth is that over-use of alcohol tends to negatively impact the abuser’s mental and physical health. Increased irritability, poor judgment and reasoning are just a couple of ways that alcohol damages the human personality and relationships by extension. One of the most common physical symptoms and alcoholism is cirrhosis of the liver. It is the 5th leading cause of death and kills approximately 25 000 people a year in our country. Sadly we also hold the record globally for the highest number of babies born with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).
Some people may drink alcohol to the point that it causes problems, but they’re not physically dependent on alcohol. This is sometimes referred to as alcohol abuse.
Although the exact cause of alcoholism is unknown, there are certain factors that may increase your risk for developing this disease.
Known risk factors for alcoholism include having:
- more than 15 drinks per week if you’re male
- more than 12 drinks per week if you’re female
- more than five drinks per day at least once a week (binge drinking)
- a parent with alcoholism
- a mental health problem, such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia
You may also be at a greater risk for alcoholism if you:
- are a young adult experiencing peer pressure
- have low self-esteem
- experience a high level of stress
- live in a family or culture where alcohol use is common and accepted
- have a close relative with alcohol use disorder
People with alcoholism may also experience the following physical symptoms:
- alcohol cravings
- withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, including shaking, nausea, and vomiting
- tremors (involuntary shaking) the morning after drinking
- lapses in memory (blacking out) after a night of drinking
- illnesses, such as alcoholic ketoacidosis (includes dehydration-type symptoms) or cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver
Self Testing – Am I an alcoholic ?
Sometimes it can be hard to draw the line between safe alcohol use and alcohol abuse or dependence. The Mayo Clinic suggests that you may have a problem with alcohol if you answer “yes” to some of the following questions:
- Do you need to drink more in order to feel the effects of alcohol?
- Do you feel guilty about drinking?
- Do you become irritable or violent when you’re drinking?
- Do you have problems at school or work because of drinking?
- Do you think it might be better if you cut back on your drinking?
How is alcoholism treated ?
Treatment for alcoholism varies, but each method is meant to help you stop drinking altogether (abstinence). Treatment may occur in stages and can include the following:
- detoxification or withdrawal to rid your body of alcohol
- rehabilitation to learn new coping skills and behaviors
- counseling to address emotional problems that may cause you to drink
- support groups, including 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- medical treatment for health problems associated with alcoholism
- medications to help control addiction
Whilst in South Africa, abstinence from consuming alcohol is higher than countries on the rest of the continent, those who do drink make up for it by consuming alcohol in excess of the global average per capita.
If you, a friend or a family member are exhibiting signs of alcoholism, there are many avenues to explore for help such as counselling, rehabilitation centres and 12-Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. It is never too soon to confront alcoholism head on as it is invariably progressive, wreaking havoc for the alcoholic and those who are close to them. The great news is that alcoholism is manageable and treatable. Whilst substance abuse does not discriminate, knowledge and awareness are the first steps in combating the dangers.
Contact us today for help.
