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.

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.

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.

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. Alcohol addiction is predominant among teenagers.

Many teenagers 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 teenagers 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 teenagers:

• 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.

Why people have alcohol in such huge quantities is because it gives  them an instant kick due its tendency to get absorbed more quickly from the abdominal mucosa, and that’s one of the sites that show the first physical sign of alcohol.

Too much of it tends to not only put weight on your abdomen but it also slowly affects the inner lining of your intestine, destroying it and having ulcers which leads to having abdominal pains. This is a very common physical symptom of alcohol, when absorbed it affects the CNS as well as and it a stimulant, so when the bodies of those accustomed to it do not get it they feel lethargic, have a hard time concentrating are always tired and irritated.

Another physical symptom of alcohol is red puffy eyes its common after hangovers as the blood vessels dilate, but alcoholics have permanent puffy eyes and gives them away at first sight.

Another physical symptom of  alcohol is the protruding abdomen especially in young alcoholics. Alcoholics are mostly always have malnutrition as either they are too groggy from all the drinking that they don’t eat or because whatever they consume with their drinks is just full of wasteful calories and is either fried or nuts, you do not see many having a green salad with their drinks now do you!

One more common physical symptom of alcohol is PAIN, abdominal pain which can be due to the excessive deposition of fat in the liver is fatty liver which can lead to slow destruction of the fibrous tissue of liver with scar tissue and in some cases even hepatocellular carcinoma which is a form of cancer and is very painful.

Some more physical symptoms includes insomnia and alcoholics have a tough time getting to sleep and sleeping comfortably the sleep cycle is disturbed and they tend to sleep late and get up late hence disturbing the cyclical natural rhythm or inbuilt clock of human body which may lead to hormonal problems like late menstrual cycles for females and gynacomastia in males etc.

There is also a loss of sexual drive as the body is drowsed and drained and tired also an alcoholic will never be anyone’s dream man or woman. In cases of males erectile dysfunction is a common physical symptom and leads not only to embarrassment but it can have a marked psychological impact as well in females the effect of alcohol and teratogenic is well known, also females consuming high levels of alcohols have a tough time conceiving due to irregular ovulations.

This covers just the tip of the iceberg so to speak in terms of alcohol’s common physical symptoms.

If you think so what if it’s a warning sign what help will it do well it just might firstly its helping you address an issue that you were usually very apprehensive of, also knowing the warning signs of alcoholism can help you understand whether you have a dependency on alcohol and is the crucial first step in accepting you have a problem and require help, once the acceptance comes all the other things are easy.

A few common warning signs of alcoholism are :

1. Do you drink alone? Though to the world you might say you are a social drinker but if you drink alone then one sign is positive.

2. Do you make excuses like you are feeling cold or let’s make this coffee Irish for taste etc? If yes then that’s a positive warning sign of alcoholism too whereby you are trying to seek opportunities to drink or when drinking at social gatherings you say ah what the heck lets have another one its not every day that friends meet or whatever and this happens almost every day then you have a problem

3. Are you compulsively asking for a hard drink even when others are having sodas or wine, even when you know it’s not right? Knowing that you need to give up and stop but being unable to do so is another warning sign of alcoholism showing your dependence.

4. Do you require morning shots just to get up and get over the effects of last night’s drinking? Another warning signs of alcoholism as the body has gotten used to the dependence on alcohol

5. Do you get booked under any offense after drinking like drinking and driving or indecent or violent? is a good indicator of the level of alcohol abuse and is a prominent warning sign of alcoholism.

6. Do you seek a bottle for every problem? Be it any physical illness stress or emotional trauma? If yes then your dependence has gotten root and can cause problems as you will try to cure your problems by drinking your way through them which is never a wise thing to do.

7. Do you drink secretly? Do u keep alcohol in small bottles well concealed to take to places where you think you cannot get it or are allowed to, if yes then its a warning sign that shows how much you much dependent you are on alcohol and to what limits you will go for it.

8. Do you tremble when you get up in the morning and when people meet you after a while they do comment on how pale you look and you try to counter it by telling them lies that you were sick and what not.

9. When friends/family advice you to drink less do you get angry and start shouting and trying to find faults in them? Its a warning sign of alcoholism that shows how you are not ready to accept that you have a problem.

If any of these warning signs you can associate with accept it you have a problem and need professional help. 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.

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.