Alcoholism refers to a chronic disease that is often progressive and can cause fatal damage to an individual’s health when left untreated. This deadly disease attacks millions of people around the world, first the disease will ruin the health of an individual and then traumatizes his emotional and mental states by disrupting his family and social lives. Unfortunately, the alcoholism disease is predominant in the 18-21 age group.

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.

Alcoholism caused by 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: Prolonged depression and low self-esteem may lead to alcohol abuse. If you have alcoholics in your circle of friends, you are prone to the alcoholism 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.”

Preventing the deadly alcoholism disease is always a better choice than to cure it. 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.

Heavy alcohol intake on a regular basis causes chemical imbalances in the individual’s brain. For instance, it alters 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.

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.

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.

Self control is the key to curing alcohol addiction. 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.

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.