Stages Of Alcoholism

Typically, there are three stages of alcoholism: early stage, middle stage, and late stage. These stages have characteristic symptoms that the patient himself must be aware of, so that he can help himself before it is too late. The sooner you identify the symptoms, the earlier you can come to your rescue.

Early Stage Of Alcoholism

In this stage, an individual drinks to merely get relaxed or to deal with temporary problems that are causing him anxiety. The “feel-good” factor encourages him to resort to drinking whenever he has a problem, which may develop into a habit at a later stage. Gradually, the patient’s tolerance to alcohol decreases. Such an individual may completely appear normal in the initial stages but loses control over his postures and tongue after some time, entering the next stage of alcoholism.

Middle Stage Of Alcoholism

If an individual does not exercise control over his alcohol intake in the early stage, when it is particularly easy to do so, he begins to become physically dependent on alcohol. His desire to consume alcohol gradually increases. He begins to lose control over alcohol intake, and his body’s ability to process alcohol reduces. As a result, he gets intoxicated very easily, even with very little alcohol intake. In this stage, an alcoholic realizes that he has a problem but has already lost control.

Last Stage Of Alcoholism

In this stage, an alcoholic becomes obsessed with drinking and desperately looking for an excuse to drink. By now, everyone around him knows that there is a major problem, as the alcoholic’s mental and physical health are severely deteriorating. Also, the body’s immunity falters and he is prone to other diseases as his appetite decreases. In fact, if the alcoholic does not sop drinking, he may even die. He has to seek abstinence and specialized medical assistance immediately to save his life. There are specialized health-care institutions providing such treatment in groups. For those who do not want group treatments, there are several treatment programs on a one-on-one basis.

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Alcohol addiction is predominant among youngsters. Many youngsters who do not have material obligations also take up drinking as a pastime and gradually get addicted to it. Statistics show that nearly 60% of youngsters take up drinking to feel that they are mature. They see their parents drinking and take up the habit to become like them. There are several factors that lead to alcoholism among youngsters:

Genetics: If you have a history of alcoholism in your family, you are more vulnerable to alcohol addiction.

Emotional Instability: Anxiety, high stress levels, or any emotional trauma can cause excessive drinking, as they excite the stress hormones.

Psychological factors: Low self-esteem and prolonged depression may lead to alcohol abuse. If you have alcoholics in your circle of friends, you are prone to the disease.

Social and cultural factors: Most people associate drinking with social class and believe that one cannot belong to the elites if he does not drink, as drinking is fashion. Moreover, advertisements portray drinking as a part of “belonging.”

Prevention from Addiction

Awareness on the subject can make a world of difference in terms of changing the perception of drinking among the youth. Parents must educate children on the subject and encourage them to talk to them about their friends. Since such habits are generally adopted after getting inspiration from someone, knowing that there is an unhealthy element near your child can help you to take precautionary measures.

Treating alcohol addiction may require intensive personalized treatment. There are specialized healthcare institutions providing such treatment in groups. For those who do not want group treatments, there are several treatment programs on a one-on-one basis. These sessions last for hours and are conducted by top therapists.

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Excessive drinking may also depress one’s nervous system, damaging the vital brain centers. This leads to a stage wherein the alcoholic completely loses control over his tongue and postures. Alcoholism may also cause fatigue, memory loss for a short term, weakness of eye muscles, and paralysis. In the last stage, the patient may even go into a coma, which can be life-threatening. In addition,, alcoholism causes the following health disorders:

Liver disorders: Excessive drinking causes alcohol hepatitis, a condition that is characterized by inflammation of the liver. Its symptoms include appetite loss, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, fever, tenderness, jaundice, and dizziness. Upon continued excessive drinking, hepatitis may lead to cirrhosis, which is characterized by progressive scarring and destruction of the liver tissues.

Gastrointestinal problems: Excessive drinking may also cause inflammation of the stomach, giving rise to a condition called gastritis. In this condition, alcohol disrupts the stomach’s ability to absorb vitamin B such as folic acid and thiamin. Alcohol, when consumed in heavy quantities, also damages the pancreas and interferes with the organ’s creation of hormones that regulate metabolism of the body by creating enzymes for digestion.

Cardiovascular problems: Excessive drinking may cause high blood pressure or damage the heart muscle, giving rise to a condition called cardiomyopathy. Such a condition increases the chances of a heart attack.

Diabetes complications: High alcohol intake inhibits the liver from releasing glucose, which increases the risk of hypoglycemia, which is characterized by low blood sugar. This condition is dangerous for an individual who is already suffering from diabetes and is taking insulin to reduce the level of sugar in the blood.

Sexual function and menstruation: Prolonged alcohol abuse can give rise to erectile dysfunction in men and menstrual problems in women. Alcohol abuse during pregnancy could be very dangerous, as it can give rise to fetal alcohol syndrome. In such a case, the child is born with defects such as a small head, short eyelids, heart defects, and other abnormalities.

Moreover, research also indicates that continued alcohol abuse places one at higher risk of cancer and diseases of larynx, esophagus, colon, and liver.

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Types Of Alcohol Addiction

There are two types of alcohol addiction – alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

Alcohol abuse is a state in which an individual indulges in excessive intake of alcohol, which takes a toll on his health, but retains the capacity to refrain from the habit. Alcoholism, on the other hand, is a dangerous stage wherein the individual completely loses control over alcohol intake and continues to consume it in spite of suffering from severe health hazards. This state is characterized by physical dependence on alcohol, which can be attributed to various social factors as well genetic and psychological issues.

Causes Of Alcoholism

It is caused buy several factors, some of them are discussed below:

Genetics: If you have a history of alcoholism in your family, you are more vulnerable to alcohol addiction.

Emotional Instability: Anxiety, high stress levels, or any emotional trauma can cause excessive drinking, as they excite the stress hormones.

Psychological factors: Low self-esteem and prolonged depression may lead to alcohol abuse. If you have alcoholics in your circle of friends, you are prone to the disease.

Social and cultural factors: Most people associate drinking with social class and believe that one cannot belong to the elites if he does not drink, as drinking is fashion. Moreover, the advertisements portray drinking as a part of “belonging.”

Prevention Of The Deadly Disease

An interesting fact about alcohol addiction is that the person indulging in the habit feels better not while indulging in it but at the time of deciding to indulge. This suggests that there is a scope to deal with this crisis situation by exercising control over the moment the thought of indulging in the act comes to mind. Alcohol addicts should ward off the thought of indulging in the behavior when it comes to their mind.

Treating alcohol addiction may require intensive personalized treatment. There are specialized health-care institutions providing such treatment in groups. For those who do not want group treatments, there are several treatment programs on a one-on-one basis. These sessions last for hours and are conducted by top therapists.

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Symptoms of Alcoholism

Typically, an alcoholic shows four signs that are characteristics of alcoholism: his body craves alcohol, he loses control over alcohol intake, he becomes physically dependent upon alcohol, and he has a reduced tolerance level to alcohol. These four symptoms are briefly described below:

Craving: The patient suffers from the strong urge to drink all the time.

Loss of control: The patient fails to control his alcohol intake and, as a result, gives in to excessive drinking.

Physical dependence: The patient shows withdrawal symptoms like nausea, dizziness, profuse sweating, and anxiety when he is not drunk.

Tolerance levels: The patient’s tolerance to alcohol decreases, as his body gradually loses its ability to process alcohol. Hence, he gets intoxicated very easily, even with little alcohol consumption.

Do not panic

If you are showing these symptoms, do not panic. If you want to get rid of the habit, medical science has several ways to help you. Treating alcohol addiction may require intensive personalized treatment. There are specialized health-care institutions providing such treatment in groups. For those who do not want group treatments, there are several treatment programs on a one-on-one basis. These sessions last for hours and are conducted by top therapists. Some of such treatments are as follows:

* Detoxification and withdrawal: This is a serious procedure that usually takes one week, wherein the patient is given sedating medication to avoid withdrawal seizures.

* Assessment and treatment: This process identifies and cures diseases related to alcoholism such as high blood pressure and blood sugar, and heart and liver diseases.

* Psychological and psychiatric treatment: This program gives tgroup counseling and therapy to help patients to recover from traumatic effects of alcoholism.

* Acceptance and abstinence: This helps an alcoholic to realize that he needs medical help to overcome the stage of alcoholism. After this, the goal is abstinence in the patient.

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However, increasing the level of awareness on the subject can make significant difference in the lives of the affected. Therefore we must focus on educating people, particularly youth, on alcoholism. There are several methodologies to deal with alcoholism. Of course, you will seek them only when you know you want them. So let’s focus on understanding the symptoms of alcoholism. The sooner you identify the symptoms, the earlier you can come to your rescue. Ask yourself the following questions to find out whether you may fall prey to alcoholism.

* Do you find yourself drinking alone regularly?

* Do you keep on finding excuses to drink?

* Do you feel an inability to stop yourself from drinking?

* Do you find it difficult to reduce the amount of alcohol intake?

* Do you have a history of alcoholism in your family?

* Do you get violent when somebody advises you not to drink or stops you from drinking?

* Have you developed poor eating habits after taking up drinking regularly?

* Are you unable to take care of your physical appearance after taking up drinking excessively?

If you have answered these questions as no, then you are perhaps a “problem drinker,” meaning that you drink only to cope with momentary crisis situations. However, if your answers to most of these questions are yes, then there are chances that you may fall a prey to alcoholism. But do not panic, because progress in medical science has created many avenues for treatment of alcoholics such as:

* Detoxification and withdrawal: This is a serious procedure that usually takes one week, wherein the patient is given sedating medication to avoid withdrawal seizures.

* Assessment and treatment: This process identifies and cures diseases related to alcoholism such as high blood pressure and blood sugar, and heart and liver diseases.

* Psychological and psychiatric treatment: This program gives group counseling and therapy to help patients to recover from traumatic effects of alcoholism.

* Acceptance and abstinence: This helps an alcoholic to realize that he needs medical help to overcome the stage of alcoholism. After this, the goal is abstinence in the patient.

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Types Of Alcohol Addiction

There are two types of alcohol addiction – alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

Alcohol abuse is a state in which an individual indulges in excessive intake of alcohol, which takes a toll on his health, but retains capacity to refrain from the habit. Alcoholism, on the other hand, is a dangerous stage wherein the individual completely loses control over alcohol intake and continues to consume it in spite of suffering from severe health hazards. This state is characterized by physical dependence on alcohol, which can be attributed to various social factors as well genetic and psychological issues.

Factors Leading To Excessive Drinking

Genetics: If you have a history of alcoholism in your family, you are more vulnerable to alcohol addition.

Emotional Instability: Anxiety, high stress levels, or any emotional trauma can cause excessive drinking, as they excite the stress hormones.

Psychological factors: Low self-esteem and prolonged depression may lead to alcohol abuse. If you have alcoholics in your circle of friends, you are prone to the disease.

Social and cultural factors: Most people associate drinking with social class and believe that one cannot belong to the elites if he does not drink, as drinking is fashion. Moreover, advertisements portray drinking as a part of “belonging.”

Control The Desire To Avoid Crisis

An interesting fact about alcohol addiction is that the person indulging in the habit feels better not while indulging in it but at the time of deciding to indulge. This suggests that there is a scope to deal with this crisis situation by exercising control the moment the thought of indulging in the act comes to mind. Alcohol addicts should ward off the thought of indulging in the behavior when it comes to their mind.

Treating alcohol addiction may require intensive personalized treatment. There are specialized health-care institutions providing such treatment in groups. For those who do not want group treatments, there are several treatment programs on a one-on-one basis. These sessions last for hours and are conducted by top therapists.

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Excessive alcohol intake may alter the composition of chemicals such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA responsible for inhibiting impulsiveness) and glutamate (stimulates nervous system). Excessive drinking can also deplete these chemicals, in the absence of which the body seeks alcohol to ward off negativity. Such a condition, when left untreated, may fatally damage an individual’s health.

Alcohol addiction is predominant among youngsters. Many youngsters who do not have material obligations also take up drinking as a pastime and gradually get addicted to it. Statistics show that nearly 60% of youngsters take up drinking to feel that they are mature.

Alcohol Addiction And Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse is a state in which an individual indulges in excessive intake of alcohol, which takes a toll on his health, but retains capacity to refrain from the habit. Alcoholism, on the other hand, is a dangerous stage wherein the individual completely loses control over alcohol intake and continues to consume it in spite of suffering from severe health hazards. This state is characterized by physical dependence on alcohol, which can be attributed to various social factors as well genetic and psychological issues.

Factors Leading To Excessive Drinking

Genetics: If you have a history of alcoholism in your family, you are more vulnerable to alcohol addiction.

Emotional Instability: Anxiety, high stress levels, or any emotional trauma can cause excessive drinking, as they excite the stress hormones.

Psychological factors: Low self-esteem and prolonged depression may lead to alcohol abuse. If you have alcoholics in your circle of friends, you are prone to the disease.

Social and cultural factors: Most people associate drinking with social class and believe that one cannot belong to the elites if he does not drink, as drinking is fashion. Moreover, the advertisements portray drinking as a part of “belonging.”

Avoid Falling Prey To Alcoholism

An interesting fact about alcohol addiction is that the person indulging in the habit feels better not while indulging in it but at the time of deciding to indulge. This suggests that there is a scope to deal with this crisis situation by exercising control over the moment the thought of indulging in the act comes to mind.

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However, raising the level of awareness on the subject can make a significant difference in the lives of the affected. Therefore, we must focus on educating people, particularly youths, on the dangers of alcoholism. The sooner you identify the symptoms, the earlier you can come to your rescue. Ask yourself the following questions to find out whether you may fall prey to alcoholism.

* Do you find yourself drinking alone regularly?

* Do you keep on finding excuses to drink?

* Do you feel an inability to stop yourself from drinking?

* Do you find it difficult to reduce the amount of alcohol intake?

* Do you have a history of alcoholism in your family?

* Do you get violent when somebody advises you not to drink or stops you from drinking?

* Have you developed poor eating habits after taking up drinking regularly?

* Are you unable to take care of your physical appearance after taking up drinking excessively?

If you have answered these questions as no, then you are perhaps a “problem drinker,” meaning that you drink only to cope with momentary crisis situations. However, if your answers to most of these questions are yes, then there are chances that you may fall prey to alcoholism. But do not panic because progress in medical science has created many avenues for treatment of alcoholics such as:

* Detoxification and withdrawal: This is a serious procedure that usually takes one week, wherein the patient is given sedating medication to avoid withdrawal seizures.

* Assessment and treatment: This process identifies and cures diseases related to alcoholism such as high blood pressure and blood sugar and heart and liver diseases .

* Psychological and psychiatric treatment: This program gives group counseling and therapy to help patients to recover from traumatic effects of alcoholism.

* Acceptance and abstinence: This helps an alcoholic to realize that he needs medical help to overcome the stage of alcoholism. After this, the goal is abstinence in the patient.

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Alcohol abuse is a state in which an individual indulges in excessive intake of alcohol, which takes a toll on his health, but retains capacity to refrain from the habit. Alcoholism, on the other hand, is a dangerous stage wherein the individual completely loses control over alcohol intake and continues to consume it in spite of suffering from severe health hazards.

However, increasing the level of awareness on the subject can make a significant difference in the lives of the affected. Therefore, we must focus on educating people, particularly youth, on the dangers of alcoholism. It is important to tell the people who are fighting with the disease that it is never too late. There are several methodologies to deal with alcoholism. Of course, you will seek them only when you know you want them. So let’s focus on understanding the symptoms of alcoholism. The sooner you identify the symptoms, the earlier you can come to your rescue. Ask yourself the following questions to find out whether you may fall prey to alcoholism.

* Do you find yourself drinking alone regularly?

* Do you keep on finding excuses to drink?

* Do you feel an inability to stop yourself from drinking?

* Do you find it difficult to reduce the amount of alcohol intake?

* Do you have a history of alcoholism in your family?

* Do you get violent when somebody advises you not to drink or stops you from drinking

* Have you developed poor eating habits after taking up drinking regularly?

* Are you unable to take care of your physical appearance after taking up drinking excessively?

* Do you feel like carrying drinks to your workplace or while driving?

Be true to yourself while answering these questions. If your answers to most of these questions are yes, then there are chances that you may fall prey to alcoholism. You, however, need not panic, as you have not yet reached that stage. If you practice abstinence, you can slam the doors on this deadly disease.

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