The Bold, Hard Facts About Alcoholism
Alcoholism is not a symptom of a problem or an indication of emotional trouble. It is a chronic, progressive disease. Alcoholism can lead to death. It is able to create such a grip on the body, because of the chemical makeup of alcohol. It permeates nearly every type of cell contained in the human body; especially those of the nervous system. The nervous system contains two distinct parts: the central (spinal cord and brain) and the peripheral (our nerves and the electrical impulse system). Alcohol is an addictive drug that induces the brain to crave it. These cravings can be very damaging to the body as well as to the relationships of the person suffering from Alcoholism.
The first clue that alcoholism may be responsible for what is happening is that the person will experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when they try to abstain from drinking. Another clue is that they will have very little ability to control how much they drink, the frequency of their drinking or how long the bouts of drinking last; the cravings and addictive nature of the disease determines these factors. The alcohol controls the person to such a degree that they may be in denial of their drinking problem or they may drink despite their awareness of the dangers that exist for them.
Alcoholism has a direct affect on the person's performance at work. They usually miss workdays due to hangovers and blackouts. It is not unusual for Alcoholics to experience job loss due to absences, the inability to perform required tasks, or coming to work drunk. Work is not the only area of their life affected by their disease. They often are involved in alcohol related accidents involving machinery or vehicles. It also has a huge impact on all their relationships.
Alcoholism has a direct affect on personal relationships, usually destroying them like a bowling ball knocking down pins. It is difficult for others to recognize that what they are witnessing is a person with a disease. It is much easier to be patient with a person with cancer or cerebral palsy as those are recognizable as diseases. In the eyes of the majority of people, the person who suffers from Alcoholism is usually criticized and shamed as a result of their drinking and resultant behavior. Over time, the alcohol controls the person's behavior, thought processes and emotions. Their drug of choice has consumed the one doing the consuming. The end result will be that they will lose everything; career, respect, loved ones, perhaps even their very life.
Being physically dependent on alcohol is not the only factor involved in being diagnosed with Alcoholism. Other factors are: the person's culture, genetics, physiological and psychological elements. A medical doctor who examines the patient, conducts necessary tests and evaluates the patient's history makes the diagnosis. Once the patient has been diagnosed with Alcoholism, the doctor will establish a treatment plan that will include follow-up appointments, treatment, and support. Similar to other chronic diseases, the patient will require long-term care and a constant vigilance kept for returning symptoms. The patient will need to understand the disease and be willing to accept responsibility for getting proper treatment. The prognosis good or bad has a lot to do with early intervention, proper treatment, acceptance and patience.
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