What A Bad Alcoholism

It's possible to have a problem with alcohol, but not display all the characteristics of alcoholism. This is known as "alcohol abuse," which means you engage in excessive drinking that causes health or social problems, but you aren't dependent on alcohol and haven't fully lost control over the use of alcohol.

Although many people assume otherwise, alcoholism is a treatable disease. Medications, counseling and self-help groups are among the therapies that can provide ongoing support to help you recover from alcoholism.

Symptoms

Before treatment or recovery, most people with alcoholism deny that they have a drinking problem. Other signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse include:

* Drinking alone or in secret

* Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink

* Not remembering conversations or commitments, sometimes referred to as "blacking out"

* Making a ritual of having drinks before, with or after dinner and becoming annoyed when this ritual is disturbed or questioned

* Losing interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring pleasure

* Feeling a need or compulsion to drink

* Irritability when your usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol isn't available

* Keeping alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work or in the car

* Gulping drinks, ordering doubles, becoming intoxicated intentionally to feel good or drinking to feel "normal"

* Having legal problems or problems with relationships, employment or finances

* Building a tolerance to alcohol so that you need an increasing number of drinks to feel alcohol's effects

* Experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms - such as nausea, sweating and shaking - if you don't drink

People who abuse alcohol may experience many of the same signs and symptoms as people who are dependent on alcohol. However, alcohol abusers don't feel the same compulsion to drink and usually don't experience physical withdrawal symptoms when they don't drink. A dependence on alcohol also creates a tolerance to alcohol and the inability to control your drinking.

If you've ever wondered if your own alcohol consumption crosses the line of abuse or dependence, ask yourself these questions:

* Do you need a drink as soon as you get up?

* Do you feel guilty about your drinking?

* Do you think you need to cut back on your alcohol consumption?

* Are you annoyed when other people comment on or criticize your drinking habits?

If you answered yes to two or more questions, it's likely that you have a problem with alcohol. Even one yes answer may indicate a problem

Causes

Alcohol addiction - physical dependence on alcohol - occurs gradually. Over time, drinking alcohol alters the balance of some chemicals in your brain, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which inhibits impulsiveness, and glutamate, which excites the nervous system. Alcohol also raises the levels of dopamine in the brain, which is associated with the pleasurable aspects of drinking alcohol. Excessive, long-term drinking can deplete or increase the levels of some of these chemicals, causing your body to crave alcohol to restore good feelings or to avoid negative feelings.

Other factors can lead to excessive drinking that contributes to the addiction process. These include:

* Genetics. Certain genetic factors may cause a person to be vulnerable to alcoholism or other addictions.

* Emotional state. High levels of stress, anxiety or emotional pain can lead some people to drink alcohol to block out the turmoil. Certain stress hormones may be associated with alcoholism.

* Psychological factors. Having low self-esteem or depression may make you more likely to abuse alcohol. Having friends or a close partner who drinks regularly - but who may not abuse alcohol - could promote excessive drinking on your part. It may be difficult for you to distance yourself from these "enablers" or at least from their drinking habits.

* Social and cultural factors. The glamorous way that drinking alcohol is portrayed in advertising and in the media may send the message that it's OK to drink excessively.

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Hoarding Is As Much A Disease As Alcoholism: What You Can Do To Help

Hoarding is a sickness. It is a mental disorder. Hoarding is every bit as addicting as alcoholism. The hoarder cannot help it, and the hoarder normally cannot recover or get better without serious professional help and a support group that understands.

Just like there are many factors that drive someone to drink alcohol, there can be a multiple of factors that drives someone to hoard. Sometimes hoarders attach themselves to objects because those objects remind them of loved ones or friends.

In other situations, factors such as anxiety or fear can lead to hoarding.

Hoarding normally starts in one room, such as a closet or spare bedroom. Other times it can start in an automobile trunk or a corner of a basement. The hoarder will start stockpiling things in one area.

After that area becomes to cluttered to handle any more stuff, then the hoarder usually either spreads out from that area or starts a whole other area in which to hoard.

Hoarders also hoard a variety of items. These can range from new items that are purchased to items picked up out of the garbage or even off the side of the road.

Like alcoholics, hoarders always have good intentions and don't fully understand how bad they are hurting themselves and those around them. They don't realize the full extent of their actions and how they are causing danger for not only themselves, but for those who must come in contact with them in the area that they are hoarding.

Some of the dangers of hoarding include an unsanitary environment. Since it is virtually impossible to clean up, around, in, and under piles and mounds of stuff, things like mold, mildew and dust build up - not to mention rodents and insects as well.

Also, the area around mounds of hoarded items can be very dangerous. Hoarders and those they live with are often injured in their homes due to slips and falls because of all the clutter blocking doorways and pathways.

If you know someone who is a hoarder, the best thing that you can do is to confront them in the same way that you would confront an alcoholic -- firmly, and in a friendly environment.

It is best that this is done in a group setting so that more people can interject their concerns and offer help. Just like an alcoholic, a hoarder must first come to the realization that they indeed do have a problem before they can be on the road to recovery.

Also, it could be that just like an alcoholic is really never totally free of alcoholism, a hoarder is always prone to revert back into their hoarding state.

The 'Obsessive Compulsion Foundation' (which is a not-for-profit organization) claim that hoarders even have an abnormally function brain and that hoarders are not lazy, but suffer from a real mental sickness.

If you are a hoarder, get help by contacting some hoarding contractor services. If you know someone who hoards, confront them in a group setting with compassion, understanding, and love.

House to Home Construction offers hoarding contractor services in New Jersey, transforming homes that have been neglected due to hoarding. A good hoarding construction company can totally convert any home - no matter what the condition - into a safe, livable and comfortable environment.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Kirzno

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Treatment Options When Confronting Alcoholism

Alcoholism can be a struggle to survive as it takes control of your life, your finances and your interactions with others. You may need to seek treatment if you are unable to control your drinking on your own. Recovery usually begins with intensive treatment and therapy. It continues with an ongoing vigilance in adhering to what was learned in counseling.

Diagnosing Alcoholism

Depending on how much you drink, you might need a period of detoxification in a controlled setting. This might include taking supplemental medication as your body adjusts to the physical effects of alcohol withdrawal. Typically, this type of treatment is reserved for those who exhibit a high level of drinking and dependency. For these individuals, suddenly stopping their intake of alcohol could result in dangerous physical reactions including seizures.

Personal Issues

After your withdrawal from alcohol is under control, you can begin to sort through personal issues that may be driving the level of drinking that has developed in your life. This review of issues and potential problems may be helpful in the beginning of your recovery. Problems that may have been ignored before by drinking may come to the surface without the aid of alcohol to mask the issues.

Therapy

Therapy to treat alcoholism can be in-patient or out-patient, depending on the severity of the case. In-patient at a treatment center or medical facility may be required if there are additional medical issues at hand. Out-patient rehabilitation can be an option that allows a person to continue to live at home while coming to a center for therapy. Either treatment can begin the process of therapy and counseling with others that is necessary to quit drinking.

Group Discussions

These therapy sessions are a chance to talk frankly about alcoholism with others. You can share discussions with people dealing with different types of addiction. You might also be in a focus group of alcoholics. Both groups are opportunities to find solutions to issues surrounding addiction. You may, for example, discover what role stress plays in drinking and other addictions.

Specialized Care

There may be specialized therapy available to you as you go through rehab. In these cases, you can meet with a trained specialist alone or with your other family members. These counseling sessions can provide opportunities for more self-exploration over the reasons behind an addiction, and may help begin the healing process between you and the family members affected by your drinking.

Support

Through the support of others, you may begin to learn ways to avoid drinking and begin to find other ways to cope with life's struggles. Your therapy may include journaling, for example, which can spotlight possible patterns in your life that lead to bouts of binge drinking. From this, you could begin to learn about ways to change aspects of your life that will make alcohol abuse a thing of the past.

You may find help for alcoholism through a drug treatment center in your area. Do some research to learn more about the warning signs of alcoholism, and then seek appropriate treatment options available to you. You may be able to regain control of your life, whether in inpatient rehabilitation or outpatient, with the help of others who have been there.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_Pate

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Alcoholism and Its Physical Stages

Alcohol is the intoxicating element in most fermented drinks. It is that addictive substance that keeps many people in bondage under its hold. Currently in the world today, there are many people who are under the grips of alcohol. Such people depend on it for their day to day survival. For alcohol addicts a day is never complete without real intake of greater quantity of alcoholic drink with high concentration.

Indeed alcohol dependency is very real in our world today. Many of the addicts who are into it cannot live with out it. Many have had their lives cut short as their condition eventually overwhelmed their very existence.

Generally, Alcohol Dependency is of two-fold nature namely:

Physical dependency on AlcoholPsychological dependency

Physical Dependency

Physical dependency on alcohol is when addicts lives his or her live daily on alcoholic intake. Such a person surrounds himself or herself with alcoholic drinks of all kinds. When you pay a visit to the house of such person, you'll discover all manner of alcoholic contents on his or her shelves and even in the bed room.

Psychological Dependency

Psychology dependency on alcohol has to do with the mind and thinking process of the individual. He or she believes and thinks that life is meaningless without constant intake of alcoholic drinks. Such a person has already conditioned his or her thinking solely on alcoholic substances and drinks.

Both physical and psychological dependency are interwoven. The psychological dependency on alcohol has to do with the mind but the physical dependency is actually very real. However, both are closely related. This is because; people go from the known to the unknown. Hence, psychological dependency is the after effect of physical dependency on alcohol.

Meanwhile, Alcohol Dependency of whichever kind has proper cure and approaches set aside to handle such cases. In the case of Physical dependency on alcohol, the best method used in checkmating it is the detoxification process. This is actually the process of removing those alcoholic substances from the reach of the addicts. The addicts are put in rehab centers very different from their homes. Such alcoholic drinks or substances are usually kept very far from the rehab homes.

In the same vein, psychological dependency on drug is handled through psychotherapeutic methods. One of the best avenues in the method is that of counseling therapy whereby the addicts are exposed to the dangers of their habit. They are also encouraged to desist from alcohol. Normally, they are taught step by step process on how to quit using alcohol.

However, the process of dealing with alcohol dependency is not always easy. The detoxification process is usually very demanding on the lives of the addicts. They usually experience, nausea, malaise, stomach pain, fever and all manner of feeling. This is because, when someone goes through the detoxification process, his or her body reacts having been conditioned to depend on alcohol. Well, that's the price to pay to be free from alcohol.

Jake B Author For Delray's Drug Rehab

Original article

Effects of Alcoholism on Partners of Alcoholics

Many alcoholics are so-called functioning alcoholics, holding down jobs and functioning in a 'normal' family situation with a partner and/or children. The effects of alcoholism on those sharing a home with alcoholics is rarely discussed. The stigmatization of society creates an atmosphere of shame and isolation. The Alcoholic, in moments of despair and in need of venting their frustration often project their feelings about themselves onto their partners, leaving the latter in a state of confusion leading to a lack of self-esteem and wondering whether it is all their fault.

There seems to be no logic in and/or explanation for the transformation of the alcoholic from a kind, loving and caring partner into an insulting, bullying aggressor. Partners are made to feel worthless and inadequate and want to do everything to make things right, turning into carers and organizers, and more often than not, deny the awful truth in order to keep up the façade of a happy family.

But are they right to do so? Have they unwittingly become the enabler for the alcoholic? Alcoholics frequently feel attracted to very caring people who in their turn seem to attract people in need of help. The basis is shaky but looking through the glasses of love, things might not be that clear. Having fallen in love with the soft side of the often sensitive, intelligent alcoholic, the partner feels unable to break up a relationship that has, no doubt, many wonderful, happy and special moments. It becomes easy to forgive and forget but the problem, unless recognized and help sought, goes from bad to worse.

The dark moments creep in and become more frequent. The apologies fade away into a difficult reality where moments of being sorry are quickly replaced by moments of projection and anger. The partner unknowingly and unwittingly becomes an enabler by trying to mend, excuse and heal the situation.

Pleading with reason, with tears, threats and ultimatums that are impossible to stick to, only makes matters worse, aggravating the alcoholic and turning their short fuse into a ticking time bomb. Partners, having to tread on eggshells so as not to say or do the wrong thing, try to avoid discussions and situations of anger, feel increasingly isolated and misunderstood. The ill alcoholic seems to have a need for conflict, apparently looking for a reason to start the drinking session or to continue their drinking spree. There is no logic and arguments can start over trivial matters. Words are interpreted incorrectly and taken totally out of context and proportion; translated into an unwanted situation of mothering and smothering.

Partners are forced to be cruel to be kind with achievable ultimatums as the only way to remain sane and to give the alcoholic an option to reach so-called rock bottom. The latter the only hope to find a way out of a disease so widely misunderstood and for the partner to find a way out of the effects of alcoholism on their lives by seeking help for themselves.

Dutch born author and artist Renate van Nijen has herself experienced the complexity of living with an alcohol-addicted partner. The secrecy surrounding alcoholism in society as a whole and the non-acceptance and judgemental comments from family, friends and outsiders that she experienced have driven her to write about the subject of alcoholism and alcohol abuse from an holistic approach. Renate invites you to visit her website where you will find a wealth of helpful information. http://www.renartsbookworld.com/

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Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Romantic couple drinking a toast to their many years together

The Good

A cool drink is so refreshing and mellowing on a hot day! It melts away the busyness of the day. It's a great relaxant after a stressful day at work. It's the universal social lubricant when people get together for fun or celebration.

It also helps you postpone having to face present realities like an unhappy marriage, a dead-end job or feelings of guilt about something you've done...or not done. Alcohol can help you keep past traumas in the background, rather than in-your-face.

In general, alcohol helps to reduce fear, the universal emotion underlying all other negative emotions.
Stats Canada estimated that drinking was responsible for saving over 2500 lives in 2006.

Drinking alcohol is an isolating activity. When drinking, talking increases and listening decreases. Genuine communication and intimacy all but disappear. As time passes your drinking reduces your emotional connections to your spouse and family. Family needs are neglected.

Alcohol can kill you in 60 different ways. With ongoing overuse of alcohol, there is increased risk of deteriorating health and death. My daughter enjoyed her alcohol. She worked and she stayed married, but she died suddenly at 51 when her liver and other organs shut down.

Alcohol impairment begins with the first sip, and the first casualty is usually your judgment. You rapidly become less able to judge your level of impairment. This could lead to a decision to get behind the wheel. Sober, you could probably handle a difficult life situation, but impaired, you attempt suicide. Alcohol is involved in a very large proportion of suicides.

Ongoing alcohol abuse, whether via daily drinking or weekend excess, can lead to becoming alcohol dependent, which is, becoming an alcoholic.

Stats Canada estimated that drinking was responsible for over 9000 deaths in 2006.

The Ugly

"But I can't help it." "Alcohol runs in my family." "My wife doesn't understand me." "I have a chronic disease called alcoholism." "My life sucks, so it's my only pleasure." "It's not my fault." "She made me do it." "We were just having fun." "I'm a functioning alcoholic, so there's no problem." "I was okay, but the cop was out to get me." "No one can help me." "But everybody drinks." "I work and support us, so my drinking is your problem, not mine."

The alcoholic, from the high functioning alcoholic professional to the skid row alcoholic, has every excuse in the book for continuing to live as a victim of life, rather than taking charge. The thought of not being a victim is loaded with fear for the alcoholic.

The alcoholic who refuses to give up victimhood is saying in effect, "If I were to stop drinking and really clean up my life, I would have to give up all this 'poor me' stuff and take responsibility for my attitudes, feelings, emotions, beliefs and behaviors. I would have to make a lot of choices and changes, and the thought of all that at my age (30? 70?) is terrifying. It's easier to just stay a victim of life. Where's the beer?"

I invite you to reflect on the role alcohol plays in your life and your spouse's life, good, bad or ugly.

Psychologist Dr. Neill Neill maintains an active practice on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada, with a focus on healthy relationships and life after addictions. He is the author of Living with a Functioning Alcoholic - A Woman's Survival Guide. Get a copy of his free report "Codependency and Alcohol Addiction" at http://www.neillneill.com/.

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Alcoholism Over the Holidays - When Moderate Drinking Becomes Problem Drinking

Alcoholism is a serious issue that we as a society need to be conscious of all year round. That said, the holidays can make it tough to be as aware of it as well as problem drinking as we should be. It's no secret that alcohol is a part of many holiday traditions from drinking hot spiced rum in front of the fireplace to champagne toasts at midnight on New Year's Eve. The holidays can bring about excessive drinking and a serious increase in alcohol related accidents and deaths. For example, many people who don't normally drink will engage in some alcohol consumption over the holidays. This can be alarming as many of these people have a low tolerance and therefore an increased vulnerability to the harmful effects of alcohol. At the other end of the spectrum are those who suffer from alcoholism and therefore normally drink to excess, but during the holidays feel less inhibited about their drinking thanks to parties filled with free flowing alcohol, so they can be even more over the top than they usually would be. Both of these scenarios can threaten one's safety when you consider the likelihood of passing out and being unaware of your surroundings, getting behind the wheel of a car or even severe alcohol poisoning.

Liquor billboards across the United States are reminding their citizens to be responsible during this holiday season. If you are over the age of 21 and choose to consume alcohol, know your limits, drink in moderation and always have a designated driver. If you suffer from alcoholism and are in recovery, do whatever it takes to remain sober whether it be attending extra meetings, having a set schedule or taking some time for yourself every day to reflect upon your recovery efforts and how far you've come. While alcohol can be an addition to a holiday party, it should never be the focus. Because when alcohol becomes the focus of any event and you equate it with your ability to have fun, problems are almost certainly abound. Alcoholism is a terrible disease that is in much closer reach for those who chronically abuse alcohol than they realize.

The holidays are intended to be a time to get together with those important to you to celebrate and give thanks for all that you have, yet too often these celebratory times are met with tragic endings by individuals who do not behave responsibly. The statistics speak for themselves; during the holiday season, two to three times more people die in alcohol related car crashes, and 40 percent of traffic fatalities involve a driver who is impaired by alcohol.

The holidays can be an especially difficult time for the recovering addict as well as an incredibly dangerous time for someone with an active addiction. If there's someone in your life who's developed a drinking problem, please don't wait. The sooner you get them help the less danger they'll be exposed to.

Ben Brafman, LMHC, CAP is the President and CEO of
Destination Hope, a licensed dual diagnosis substance abuse treatment center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ben has more than 20 years of experience in the addiction and mental health fields, which led him to develop a combination of innovative treatment protocols at Destination Hope. He has been published on various topics including dual diagnosis and chemical dependency, and gives back to the community by educating other addiction counselors at his Academy for Addiction Professionals.

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