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Alcohol and drug: Two major homewreckers worldwide. Excessive alcohol use and substance abuse have been responsible for the lost lives of millions of people worldwide. From relatively harmless binge drinking to extremely dangerous fetal alcohol spectrum, the curses of alcohol consumption are indeed many.
It is widely considered a social habit to drink alcohol. But as soon as a person finds it difficult to stop drinking, the alcohol problems begin. Various Centers for Disease Control worldwide share that chronic alcoholism and withdrawal symptoms are some of the common health issues they find in their patients. They also share the disturbing fact that only a few of them reach the centers in time to help themselves with smart recovery.
It is in this background that it is essential to address alcohol misuse and over-dependence on alcohol. It is high time for people who consume alcohol and are addicted to alcohol to understand the symptoms and causes of alcohol use disorder.
The following section also expects to create awareness of professional help available to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social backgrounds. It also discusses substance abuse and mental health services in detail to identify various symptoms and seek help as soon as possible.
Breaking the Cycle: Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Use Disorder, Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Treatment Protocol by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol addiction or alcohol use disorder has been affecting people from all kinds of backgrounds for quite a while. The inability to intake alcohol in a moderate amount is termed alcohol addiction. The patient gradually develops an alcohol dependence and will find it difficult to lead a normal life without alcohol intake.
Despite widespread attempts by health authorities to control the amount of alcohol that one intakes, consumption of alcohol has only gone up. It is not that people are not aware of the fact that drinking too much alcohol may cause health deterioration; it is just they prefer not to mind the risk of alcohol.
Alcohol Addiction: Basics
Alcohol addiction is one of the major complications related to alcohol or caused by alcohol. It is possible to identify someone with an alcohol addiction by observing their pattern of alcohol use.
It is important to note that there is no single reason that brings the risk of alcohol use disorder. Instead, it can often be one or more reasons among genetics, peer pressure, social factors, economic factors, psychological factors, etc.
There are many people who, despite knowing the complications of alcohol addiction, choose to be preoccupied with alcohol intake. There can be severe psychological reasons causing this behavior. Likewise, there can be numerous reasons behind each individual with alcohol addiction to continue with their problematic alcohol use.
It is crucial to understand that alcoholism or other issues associated with alcohol are solid diseases or health conditions. Alcohol addiction is a chronic disease and not a simple bad habit.
The physical cost of excessive alcohol consumption can be dangerously high. Alcoholism causes permanent changes in the brains of the addicts. Alcohol can cause severe mental health issues among the users. From fetal alcohol syndrome to alcohol poisoning, the implications of heavy alcohol use or chronic alcohol misuse can be many.
People referred to as alcohol addicts often find it difficult to treat alcohol addiction. Society, at times, exhibits a taboo towards them whenever they show signs of alcohol addiction. However, it is extremely important to control alcohol use among the public by providing them with professional help.
Alcohol drug information services and many other organizations extend awareness regarding the problems caused by alcohol misuse. A lot of alcohol addicts have also received valuable help from them in the form of treatment for alcoholism.
It is always advisable to keep in touch with health authorities and helpful organizations to reduce alcohol consumption, prevent alcohol overdose, avoid alcohol use disorder relapse, and bring alcohol drinking to moderate levels.
Alcoholism: Signs and Symptoms in People with Alcohol Use Disorder
Diagnosis of alcohol addiction is very crucial in treating it. The problems with alcohol may take some time to exhibit in the behavior of the addicts. However, the close circle of a person can identify alcoholism by observing certain symptoms in them.
Symptoms may be different in different people. However, several common symptoms indicate high alcohol content in blood (high blood alcohol concentration). Some of those common symptoms are listed below.
- High tolerance to alcohol
- Tendency to consume more alcohol
- High frequency of alcohol consumption
- Avoiding social contacts
- Severe mood swings
- Increased emotional issues
- Problems in personal and professional lives
- Difficulty in functioning in a sober state
The early symptoms of alcohol dependence are extremely crucial when it comes to treating alcoholism. The high economic costs of excessive alcohol consumption can be minimized with an early diagnosis of the condition. As alcohol intoxication results in significant damage, it is advisable to look for the above symptoms in yourself or your loved ones for an early intervention.
Effects of Alcohol Dependence: Health Problems and How Alcohol Affects
Alcohol dependence can be a gateway to numerous health problems, both mental and physical. Along with putting their own health at risk, alcoholics put others’ health at risk, too. Drunk driving is one of the major reasons behind the millions of road accidents that happen every year worldwide.
Some of the most discussed health complications brought in by alcoholism are as follows.
- Liver disease
- Heart disease
- Vision problems
- Sexual problems
- Diabetes
- Ulcers
- High risk of cancer
- Immunity disease
- Depression
- Suicidal tendency
If given proper treatment, even the worst alcohol addicts can recover from the condition. To achieve moderate alcohol levels in an addict’s blood may take a good deal of time and effort.
Treatment for Alcohol
Organizations that provide effective alcohol treatment are referred to as alcohol abuse prevention centers. There are various types of such organizations existing worldwide. Most of these organizations will be controlled and coordinated by the respective health authorities of each area.
Some of the most effective and commonly used treatments to cure alcoholism are as follows.
- Rehabilitation programs
- Support groups
- Counseling
- Medication
- Drug therapy
- Nutritional changes
All the above-mentioned solutions help handle alcohol withdrawal symptoms, too. It is often these withdrawal symptoms that cause alcoholics to relapse.
Alcohol Treatment under NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator
NIAAA stands for National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. NIAAA has come up with a great new initiative that offers incredible help to alcohol addicts. They have introduced an online treatment navigator, which is a comprehensive resource that provides information on the treatment options available for alcohol addiction.
NIAAA alcohol treatment navigator is a one-stop destination where people can collect all the necessary information on alcoholism and the potential treatment options available. The online resource is a companion throughout the deaddiction process by providing the right information at the right time.
Final Thoughts
Discussions on alcohol addiction have been continuous for quite a long time now. The number of addicts is at an ever-high now, which makes interventions all the more important for health authorities. The introduction of an online alcohol treatment navigator from NIAAA is a positive step in the right direction. Having such a one-stop solution for all alcoholism-related queries and doubts can be of incredible help to people struggling with the condition.
FAQs
Alcohol can cause permanent changes in the consumer's brain to create more negative feelings. Alcohol also causes several chemical changes that lead to psychological issues like anxiety, mood swings, depression, etc. The persistence of these conditions can end the person in a severe psychological dilemma.
