Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are not the same. A person can abuse alcohol without being an alcoholic. They may drink too much and too often but they are not dependent on alcohol. Alcoholism is a dependency on alcohol. It is a disease that includes craving the drink, not able to stop drinking once they start, withdrawl symptoms after they stop drinking, and the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get that “high”. Alcoholism is a disease with cravings for alcohol that can be stronger than the need for food or water. Alcoholism is chronic, it will last the person’s lifetime; it usually follows a very predictable course; and it has symptoms. Developing alcoholism is influenced by a person’s genes and by their lifestyle. Research suggests that alcoholism does run in families. Genes that are inherited can be a partial explanation; however, lifestyle is a major factor. Friends, the amount of stress in your life, how readily available alcohol is are factors that could increase the risk for alcoholism. Alcoholism has no cure at this time. Abstaining from alcohol is the only safe course of action for someone with alcoholism. Alcoholism can be treated with counseling and medications to help the person stop drinking. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism know no boundaries as far as race, gender, or nationality. It is reported that more men then women are alcohol dependent. Alcohol problems run highest among young adults between 18-29, and lowest among adults age 65 and older. It is also reported that people that begin drinking at an early age of 14 or younger, have a higher risk of developing alcohol problems. To find out if you or someone you know has a drinking problem, answer the following questions: Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking? Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking? Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, there is a problem. |
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