Good day to all, this is Blondie signing in. Before examining the dangers and treatment of alcoholism, I have a bone to pick with my formal After Care Drug Counselor. She insisted that I admit that I was an alcoholic. In spike of all the changes I made to stop using alcohol. Now I will admit that I still made bad choices, but I never like the taste or how alcohol made me feel so I avoided it as much as I could. Yes I switched to weed and crack cocaine, solely to prevent the hangovers I was experiencing from alcohol. Yes they were bad choices, but after using a variety of controlled substance I clearly knew alcohol was not for me. I had no problem admitting I was a drug addict, but for years I was admitting to a disease I didn’t feel I had. Now I’m not a professional therapist or medical doctor, but I know what drugs I liked and what drugs I wasn’t using. The reason I’m making this statement is because this platform was designed to answer all the hard questions and seek answers when needed. You must be true to yourself if you want to heal from your mistakes. If there is a professional therapist or medical doctor who wants to prove to me that I’m an alcoholic I’m all ears. Now let’s talk about the dangers and treatment for alcoholism.
According to the Medical Centric U-Tube Channel. Alcoholism is a condition characterized by an excessive desire or physical need to consume alcohol. Even though it’s causing a negative impact on one’s life. Alcoholism may involve problems controlling drinking. Being preoccupied with alcohol can have a strong continuation affect even when it’s causing problems. Drinking alcohol in this manner can put your health or safety at risk. It can also cause other alcohol related issues. Withdrawal syndrome may also occur when consumption is decreased. Consuming four to five drinks within two hours is called binge drinking which is considered extremely dangerous.
Abusing alcohol can affect all parts of the body, but it is most harmful to the brain, heart, liver, pancreas and immune system. This can lead to high blood pressure, alcoholic hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and cirrhosis of the liver. Gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach) and other harmful disorders. One may also develop complication with diabetes, cancer and the risk of a stroke. Women who drink while pregnant can risk miscarriage or birth defects to the infant. Alcoholism also increases the risk of death from injuries, homicide, suicide and car crashes. Drunk driving not only puts the alcoholic life in danger but it also can put other lives in danger. It also reduces a person’s life expectancy by ten years. According to the World Health Organization about 208 million people suffer from alcoholism as of 2010. It resulted in 139,000 deaths in 2013, and is more common in males and young adults.
Alcoholism can be caused by both environmental and genetic factors. The dependence can take a few years to several decades to develop. For extremely vulnerable people it can happen within several months. Over time regular alcohol consumption can disrupt the balance of the areas of the brain associated with the experience of pleasure and the ability to control one’s behavior. This causes the body to crave alcohol in order to feel good and avoid feeling bad. Risk factors may include family history, depression and other mental health problems. History of emotional distress or trauma and peer drinking. Lack of peer and family support. Alcohol is the most available wisely consumed and abused recreational drug.
The symptoms of alcoholism is as follows. The inability to limit the amount of alcohol consumed. Drinking alone or in secret. Make unnecessary attempts to cut down on alcohol consumption. A strong feeling or urge to drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol in order to feel good. Storing alcohol in unlikely places. Giving up hobbies and social activities. Spending a lot of time drinking or recovering from alcohol use. Developing a tolerance to alcohol because one needs more to feel its affects. Having work related, financial or personal relationship problems that stems from alcohol use. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and shaking when you don’t drink.
If alcoholism is suspected, a medical doctor may carry out a diagnosis. This may include asking questions related to one’s drinking. Conducting a physical examination to check for physical signs that may indicate complications from alcohol use. Lab test to identify health problems. A doctor may also use diagnostic criteria to determine one’s mental health. (The Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder DSM-5) published by the American Psychiatric Association.
Treatment options may include detoxification to where sedating medication are taken to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Treatment usually last from four to seven days. The common medication is chlordiazepoxide. Counseling, oral medication such as Antabuse. This medication causes a reaction when you consume alcohol, including nausea, flushing, vomiting and headaches. Naltrexone, is also a medication that is used to block craving. It may help to reduce the urge to take a drink. Other methods such as treating underline problems that may have occurred. Learning a skill and attending programs such as Alcohol Anonymous (better known as AA) may also help with improving one’s life so they can once again become a productive member of society.
If you or a love one is suffering from alcoholism, there is a 24hr hot line available. 1-800-662-4357. As human being we must be sympathetic to others and their feelings. You never know what a person could be going through. Sometimes all it takes is a kind word or gesture to brighten someone’s day. Call or text someone and give them a mental hug. This is Blondie signing off until next time.