Introduction
Alcoholism is a term that refers to a condition where an individual has an excessive and uncontrollable urge to consume alcohol, even at the expense of their health, relationships, work, or other potential consequences. In this article, we will explore the basics of alcoholism, including the personal experiences, research on addiction, adverse consequences of excessive drinking, mental health’s contribution, and how to recover from alcoholism.
What is an alcoholic, and what are the signs?
Alcoholism is a condition that should not be taken lightly. It is an addiction and a serious disease, just like any other chronic medical condition. A significant and uncontrollable need to drink alcohol and inability to stop or reduce alcohol consumption is the hallmark of alcoholism. Many people assume that an alcoholic should have a stereotypical persona of a homeless person or someone who has lost everything. However, any individual can be a victim of alcoholism, regardless of social status, age, or gender.
The DSM-5, the standard reference for mental health disorders, defines alcohol use disorder (AUD) as a problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress. The criteria below need to be met during a 12-month period to diagnose AUD:
- Drinking more or longer than intended
- Unsuccessful attempts to Control/Reduce drinking.
- Withdrawal symptoms or drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
- Drinking in larger amounts/longer periods or more often.
- Neglecting social, work, or recreational activities due to excessive drinking.
- Continuing to drink despite health issues caused or worsened by alcohol.
- Continuing to drink despite the knowledge of being physically or psychologically affected by alcohol.
- Increasing time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from alcohol.
- Craving alcohol or having a strong urge to drink.
Signs of alcoholism vary from individual to individual. Some common signs include drinking alone, consuming alcohol more than usual, or blacking out or experiencing memory loss often.
Personal Experience
My story is not unique. It began with partying every weekend with friends, but it slowly turned into drinking daily. I didn’t even notice when drinking turned from self-indulgence to alcoholism. To me, drinking every day seemed typical, but it wasn’t, and soon I was drinking alone and isolating myself from friends and family. It was the beginning of another dawn when I decided to get over my addiction and start living healthily again.
It’s essential to identify and acknowledge the problem to start recovery. Alcoholism doesn’t happen overnight, and it can take years to form into an addiction. My progression was gradual, and I didn’t realize that I had been struggling with alcoholism for a while. It started as a weekend activity with friends, but it soon became my only source of happiness, even if it was short-lived. Eventually, I turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism for my life problems.
It was when my life began to spiral that I realized that I needed help. That is when I began my journey to sobriety.
Research on Addiction
Alcohol addiction is a leading addiction worldwide, and there are research-based insights that can help us understand and manage the addiction. Experts emphasize that there are no proven ways to predict who becomes an alcoholic, but there are several risk factors that make one more susceptible to it, like genetic predisposition, trauma, and social influences.
Several approaches can be taken to overcome alcohol addiction, including counseling, medication, group therapy, or self-help. When it comes to treating alcoholism, the right approach depends on an individual’s unique needs, including addiction severity and any psychological or medical conditions.
Adverse Consequences
The risks of alcohol abuse should never be overlooked. Alcohol abuse can lead to many health problems such as liver, heart, and pancreatic diseases, depression, and anxiety.
Alcoholism can also have severe consequences on an individual’s work life and financial situation. The costs to feed the addiction can be overwhelming, leaving little to no finances for other bills and obligations to be met. Alcohol abuse can affect relationships with loved ones, families, and even careers. It can cause poor performance in school or work and can lead to firing and legal troubles.
Mental Health’s Contribution
There is a high correlation between mental health and alcohol dependence. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), individuals with anxiety, depression, or personality disorders tend to have a higher chance of developing alcoholism.
Personal experiences or examples of someone else’s experiences with mental health issues as a contributing factor include scenarios where I was feeling depressed and started relying on alcohol as a means of escape. It created a cycle that eventually resulted in my alcohol addiction. Coupled with anxiety, there was no easy way out, so I resorted to drinking to alleviate the emotional turmoil I felt inside.
Getting Help
While getting help for alcoholism can be challenging, many programs are available to assist individuals in overcoming addiction. The most common forms of help include therapy, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and other addiction support groups. It’s essential to consult a medical professional before starting any treatment for alcohol addiction for the best recovery outcome.
It’s also crucial to understand that recovering from alcohol addiction is a long-term process and requires commitment and dedication. Maintaining sobriety can also be challenging, but strategies like creating a support system and avoiding triggers can help individuals stay on track.
Conclusion
Alcohol addiction is a dangerous addiction that affects millions worldwide. It’s essential to recognize that overcoming addiction is possible and something that can be done with help. While alcohol addiction comes with various adverse consequences, getting the right help and support can lead to a successful recovery. You only have one life, so make the decision today to take back control of it and live healthily and happily.
