Alcohol Addiction: Who Are The Real Victims?
Many people drink alcohol to celebrate, to forget the pressures of their day, to socialize with friends or family. But what about those who drink alcohol as a means of coping with problems? What about those who have lost control of their drinking and are drinking more than they should?
Understanding alcoholism is a critical step towards ending this debilitating disease. This article will explore some aspects of addiction, outline effective methods for recovery, offer information on what you can do if you know someone who is struggling with addiction and give resources on where people can go get help.
What is alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a complex disease that manifests itself in different ways for different people. Some people drink for the taste, some drink for the effect of the alcohol. It is not uncommon for some people to drink because they enjoy socializing with friends over a cup of wine or beer. For other people, drinking takes on a whole new meaning – they drink to relieve stress, escape their problems or numb themselves from their emotions. Some people drink to celebrate special occasions; others simply use alcohol as an excuse not to think about their problems. Still other people may not be able to stop drinking once they start and find themselves craving alcohol and even getting violent when it does not fulfill its promise of escaping pain and emptiness.
What is alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a complex disease that manifests itself in different ways for different people. Some people drink for the taste, some drink for the effect of the alcohol. It is not uncommon for some people to drink because they enjoy socializing with friends over a cup of wine or beer. For other people, drinking takes on a whole new meaning – they drink to relieve stress, escape their problems or numb themselves from their emotions. Some people drink to celebrate special occasions; others simply use alcohol as an excuse not to think about their problems. Still other people may not be able to stop drinking once they start and find themselves craving alcohol and even getting violent when it does not fulfill its promise of escaping pain and emptiness.
What is alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a complex disease that manifests itself in different ways for different people. Some people drink for the taste, some drink for the effect of the alcohol. It is not uncommon for some people to drink because they enjoy socializing with friends over a cup of wine or beer. For other people, drinking takes on a whole new meaning – they drink to relieve stress, escape their problems or numb themselves from their emotions. Some people drink to celebrate special occasions; others simply use alcohol as an excuse not to think about their problems. Still other people may not be able to stop drinking once they start and find themselves craving alcohol and even getting violent when it does not fulfill its promise of escaping pain and emptiness.
Some early warning signs of alcoholism
There are many early warning signs of alcoholism. One of the first signs is that when someone starts drinking, they begin to drink more than before. For example, a person who used to only drink on the weekends might start drinking every night or even every day. Or a person who used to drink only at social gatherings might begin drinking just because they want to get drunk. Often, people who are troubled by thoughts and feelings that make them feel uncomfortable will turn to alcohol as a way to escape their troubles and feel more comfortable. Many times, they may not even realize that it is happening and that they are using alcohol in this way.
Some early warning signs of alcoholism
There are many early warning signs of alcoholism. One of the first signs is that when someone starts drinking, they begin to drink more than before. For example, a person who used to only drink on the weekends might start drinking every night or even every day. Or a person who used to drink only at social gatherings might begin drinking just because they want to get drunk. Often, people who are troubled by thoughts and feelings that make them feel uncomfortable will turn to alcohol as a way to escape their troubles and feel more comfortable. Many times, they may not even realize that it is happening and that they are using alcohol in this way.
Some early warning signs of alcoholism
There are many early warning signs of alcoholism. One of the first signs is that when someone starts drinking, they begin to drink more than before. For example, a person who used to only drink on the weekends might start drinking every night or even every day. Or a person who used to drink only at social gatherings might begin drinking just because they want to get drunk. Often, people who are troubled by thoughts and feelings that make them feel uncomfortable will turn to alcohol as a way to escape their troubles and feel more comfortable. Many times, they may not even realize that it is happening and that they are using alcohol in this way.
What is the difference between someone who is an alcoholic and someone who uses alcohol in a healthy way?
The short answer to this question is that generally the difference lies in their motivation for drinking. Some people may drink for social reasons and be able to stop when they choose to, while others continue to drink because they are unable to control how much alcohol they consume. Oftentimes, alcoholics use alcohol as a way of escaping from their problems and feelings of emptiness. This can lead to serious problems including: loss of relationships, lost jobs, health problems and even death.
Conclusion
The following is a list of questions designed to help you decide if you might be an alcoholic. Remember, however, this list is not a diagnostic test for alcoholism. If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, it does not necessarily mean that you are an alcoholic, but it does suggest that you might have a problem and should seek additional help beyond this self-help guide.