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For many people, the facts about alcoholism are not clear. What
is alcoholism, exactly and how does it differ from alcohol abuse?
When should a person seek help for a problem related to his or
her drinking? The following information explains both alcoholism
and alcohol abuse, the symptoms of each, when and where to seek
help, treatment choices, and additional helpful resources.
Alcoholism - A Widespread Problem
For most people who drink, alcohol is a pleasant accompaniment
to social activities. Moderate alcohol use — up to two drinks
per day for men and one drink per day for women and older people — is
not considered harmful for most adults. A standard drink is one
12-ounce bottle or can of either beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce
glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.
Nonetheless, a large number of people run into serious trouble
because of their drinking. Currently, nearly 14 million Americans — 1
in every 13 adults — abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. Several
million more adults engage in risky drinking that could lead to
alcohol problems. These patterns include binge drinking and heavy
drinking on a regular basis. In addition, 53 percent of men and
women in the United States report that one or more of their close
relatives have a drinking problem.
The consequences of alcohol misuse are serious — in many cases,
life threatening. Heavy drinking can increase the risk for certain
cancers, especially those of the liver, esophagus, throat, and
larynx (voice box). Heavy drinking can also cause liver cirrhosis,
immune system problems, brain damage, and harm to the fetus during
pregnancy. In addition, drinking increases the risk of death from
automobile crashes as well as recreational and on-the-job injuries.
Furthermore, both homicides and suicides are more likely to be
committed by persons who have been drinking. In purely economic
terms, alcohol-related problems cost society approximately $185
billion per year. In human terms, the costs cannot be calculated.
What Is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol dependence", is
a disease that includes four symptoms:
• Craving: A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
• Loss of control: The inability to limit one’s drinking
on any given occasion.
• Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea,
sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped
after a period of heavy drinking.
• Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol
in order to "get high."
People who are not alcoholic sometimes do not understand why an
alcoholic can't just "use a little willpower" to
stop drinking. However, alcoholism has little to do with willpower.
Alcoholics are in the grip of a powerful "craving", or
uncontrollable need, for alcohol that overrides their ability to
stop drinking. This need can be as strong as the need for food
or water.
Although some people are able to recover from alcoholism without
help, the majority of alcoholics need assistance. With treatment
and support, many individuals are able to stop drinking and rebuild
their lives.
Many people wonder why some individuals can use alcohol without
problems but others cannot. One important reason has to do with
genetics. Scientists have found that having an alcoholic family
member makes it more likely that if you choose to drink you too
may develop alcoholism. Genes, however, are not the whole story.
In fact, scientists now believe that certain factors in a person’s
environment influence whether a person with a genetic risk for
alcoholism ever develops the disease. A person’s risk for
developing alcoholism can increase based on the person’s
environment, including where and how he or she lives; family, friends,
and culture; peer pressure; and even how easy it is to get alcohol.
Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
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