What everyone should know about ALCOHOLISM!

What is Alcoholism?

It is a disease characterized by uncontrolled drinking of alcoholic beverages. A person suffering from alcoholism can't stop drinking because he or she DEPENDS on alcohol to function. The alcoholic person is addicted.

THE ALCOHOLIC PERSON

A person's health, happiness, safety and longevity are affected. Alcoholism often results in the loss of a job, family and self-respect.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Many people are affected by the alcoholic person. Divorce, crime, delinquency, even suicide can result.

What Type of Person Becomes an Alcoholic?

Alcoholism affects people of all ages and social and economic backgrounds.

IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE, most alcoholics are well-accepted members of their communities.

WOMEN AND MEN are affected. Millons of people of both sexes suffer from alcoholism and other alcohol related problems.

YOUNG PEOPLE may even be more susceptible to alcoholism than adults, because their bodies are still growing. That's one of the reasons why alcohol is illegal for anyone under 21.

How Alcohol Affects the Body!

WHEN A PERSON DRINKS ALCOHOL:

1. It rapidly enters the bloodstream (no digestion is needed) and circulates to all parts of the body with a few minutes. Absorption is slowed by food in the stomach.

2. The main effect is on the BRAIN where control centers are "knocked out" resulting in INTOXICATION.

3. The liver BURNS UP the alcohol in 1 average drink (12 ozs. of beer, 5 ozs. of wine, 1 1/2 ozs. of 80 proof liquor) in about 1 hour.

The faster alcohol is consumed, the quicker mental and physical control is lost.

STAGES OF INTOXICATION:

1st EMOTIONAL - Erratic behavior, clouded thinking, slowed reactions; poor judgment, loss of control over actions.

2nd CONFUSED - Staggering, disoriented; moody, fearful, angry, ect.; slurred speech, double vison.

3rd IN A STUPOR - Unable to stand or walk, near paralysis; barely conscious; vomiting.

4th IN A COMA - Completely unconscious; few or no reflexes; may result in death from respiratory paraysis.

These effects vary with the individual. Some people get drunk after their first drink; others drink more before noticing effects. But there are risks involved with any alcohol use.

LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLISM INCLUDE:

LIVER DAMAGE, such as cirrhosis (scarring of the liver); also alcoholic hepatitis, cancer of the liver.

HEART DISEASE, including enlarged heart, congestive heart failure.

ULCERS AND GASTRITIS, due to irritation of the stomach lining.

MALNUTRITION, because alcohol has very little food value. Alcohol robs the body of some vitamins and minerals and interferes with digestion of food that is eaten.

"DT's" (DELIRIUM TREMENS) resulting from alcohol withdrawl, characterized by disorientation, memory impairment and sometimes hallucinations, ect.

CANCER of the mouth, esophagus or stomach, due to irritation by alcohol.

BRAIN DAMAGE, possibly leading to psychosis.

DAMAGE TO A DEVELOPING FETUS -- a pregnant woman should never use alcohol.

Why do People Drink?

Usually there's a combination of reasons. The drinker may use alcohol.

TO TRY TO AVOID PROBLEMS and try to ease the pressures and tensions of everyday life. But avoiding problems adds to the tension -- and drinking can lead to more problems.

AS A SUBSTITUTE for personal relationships and challenging work. But drinking is only a barrier to self-fulfillment.

TO TRY TO COVER UP feelings of guilt or insecurity. Drinking can't make these feelings go away -- but it can make it harder for the drinker to deal with them.

FOR OTHER REASONS including family habits and cultural acceptance of drinking.

Alcohol is never a solution -- it usually makes a bad situation worse.

Checklist for Symptoms of Alcoholism!

Does the person:

1. need a drink to get over a hangover?
2. like to drink alone?
3. lose time from work due to drinking?
4. need a drink at a definite time of day?
5. lie about, cover up or make excuses about drinking?
6. suffer loss of memory while or after drinking?
7. find efficiency or drive decreasing?
8. drink to relieve stress, fear, shyness, insecurity?
9. find that drinking is harming or worrying the whole family?
10. become more moody, jealous or irritable after drinking?

If any answers are YES, the person may be on the road to alcoholism. Recognizing the problem is the first step to stopping it.

Millions of people have family, social, job or legal problems related to alcohol but don't fit the definition of an alcoholic. Remember -- problem drinkers need help, too.

Warning Signs of Alcoholism!

Each person with alcoholism has a different drinking pattern, but the disease usually follows certain stages.

EARLY STAGES

The person:

  • makes promises to quit, but breaks them;
  • has to drink more and more to achieve the same effect;
  • has trouble stopping after the first drink.

    • MIDDLE STAGES

    The person:

  • denies drinking, drinks in secret and hides the alcohol;
  • drinks in the morning;
  • can't get through the day without a drink;
  • finds it harder and harder to get the same effect, regardless of how much has been drunk.

    • LATER STAGES

    The person:

  • lives to drink -- liquor comes before everything else;
  • avoids and distrusts people;
  • loses all ambition, is unable to cope with any responsibility, is often absent from work;
  • never seems to eat, suffers from malnutrition and "the shakes."

    • FINAL STAGES

    The person:

  • hits "rock bottom";
  • continues to drink despite painful and injurious results such as social and personal ruin, physical disability, or even death.

    • The earlier alcoholism is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances for recovery.

    TREATMENT for Alcoholism!

    The goal is to learn to live comfortably without drinking.

    ALCOHOLISM IS A TREATABLE ILLNESS! Each person is different. The individual recovery program depends on the length of addiction, attitudes of family and friends, and the person's desire to get well.

    FACING THE TRUTH

    No recovery program will succeed until the person recognizes that alcoholism is a problem and accepts the need for help.

    For successful treatment, the alcohol must be determined to recover and ready to seek a solution.

    Where to GET HELP!

    Alaska Alcohol and Drug Addiction Rehab Information
    WEBSITE
    Crisis Line: (800) 784-6776