Quite simply, Alcoholism is defined as the excessive consumption and dependence on alcoholic beverages. However this simple definition of what alcoholism is does not begin to scratch the surface of Alcoholism’s effects on an individual and the social circle surrounding the alcoholic.
Alcoholism is a disease. Alcoholism is chronic, progressive and if left untreated is often fatal. Alcoholism is characterized by a preoccupation with the consumption and procurement of alcohol. Though the alcoholic suffers from serious health, work, family and financial problems they will continue to use alcohol. Alcoholism is often characterized by a physical dependence on alcohol as well. Physical dependence occurs when an individual consumes alcohol on a regular basis and their body develops a physical need for alcohol. You can read more about this on our Signs and Symptoms or Alcohol Detox pages.
Alcohol abuse is a term which is given to the over use of alcohol which has not progressed to the disease stage. People who are in this stage of alcohol abuse may suffer from social or physical consequences but these consequences are not chronic. Often a person who is in the abuse stage also has not fully lost control of their alcohol use. The abuser can quit for longer periods with little to no difficulty. Alcohol abuse is not characterized by a physical dependence on alcohol but by excessive use over shorter periods of time which may still have serious social or physical side effects.
Diagnosing alcoholism can be a tricky situation and should be left up to a professional. Though it is very obvious to you, your family and others in the drinkers social circle that there is a problem, the diagnosis can be more complicated. There are standardized guidelines which health professionals use to diagnose alcohol abuse, or alcoholism.
Getting the person to see a health care professional about their drinking problem is usually a difficult prospect. Most often a person who has an alcohol problem whether it is abuse or full blown alcoholism is in denial. They simply don’t see what they are doing as a problem, or won’t admit that the problems in their life are a direct result of their drinking. This denial is a major hurdle to overcome and simply requires time to overcome. A person with an alcohol problem will have certain times when they are more receptive to getting help and admitting they have a problem.
You may have heard the term “rock bottom” this is when a person with a drug or alcohol problem has hit the lowest of their low. Perhaps they have been arrested, lost a job, faced death or injury or lost their family because of their alcohol abuse. Any number of factors may open up the alcoholic to accept help. There is not a need to wait for “rock bottom” in many cases. With the help of health professionals or certified interventionists family members can help bring the alcoholic to their bottom without having to cause serious harm to their life.
Our website is aimed at helping you or your loved one get on the road to recovering from alcoholism and alcohol abuse. With a little education and help from professionals this daunting task can be made much easier. Our staff can help you find treatment centers, detox facilities or interventionists in your area. We want to help you recover from alcoholism today. Please give us a call or click to our contact page so that you can begin the process of recovery.
*sources: Alcoholism in Wikipedia
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
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