Taking Control of Alcohol by Claire Nash - HTML preview

/ Home / Health / Taking Control of Alcohol

PLEASE NOTE: This is an HTML preview only and some elements such as links or page numbers may be incorrect.
Download the book in PDF, ePub, Kindle for a complete version.

Part-II: Understanding Alcoholism

3. What is Alcoholism?

It is difficult to define alcoholism. The term is used for both dependence on alcohol and the abuse of alcohol.

It causes many unfavorable and difficult situations and consequences. A

publication of the American Psychiatric Association, ‘Diagnostic and

Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’, defines alcoholism as incorrect usage of alcohol.

Alcoholism is sometimes referred to as problem drinking - drinking more than is safe, such as half a dozen drinks in a short period or drinking before driving.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines

alcoholism much the same - ‘A disease that includes alcohol craving and

continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law.’ Alcoholism is a chronic disorder involving consuming high levels of alcoholic beverages than we can handle.

It leads to total disruption of all relationships, responsibilities, and health.

Unsafe intake of alcohol leads to further problems - alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse. Alcohol intake is like abuse of any other drug - heroin, cocaine, marijuana, sedatives, nicotine and anti-anxiety drugs.

Such alcoholic tendencies are reported to be higher in males than in females.

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 14 of 95

Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse - Are they different?

Alcoholism is a dependence on alcohol, a lack of control on drinking and abnormal craving for alcohol at any cost and all times. Alcohol abuse is a part of the process of alcoholism, leading to serious health and relationship problems.

Causes of Alcoholism

There is no single cause for alcoholism.

• Alcoholic parents may increase the chance that their children could

abuse alcohol.

• Some scientists report research which may indicate genetic causes for alcoholism but, at this point, cannot pinpoint any particular gene or its influence on alcoholism.

• Psychological factors like depression, conflicts in relationships, seeking relief from anxiety and tension and low self-esteem push some people

toward alcoholism.

• Social contributors include easy availability and acceptance of alcohol consumption, lifestyles and peer pressure.

Consequences of Alcoholism

Alcoholism, like drug addiction, has far-reaching consequences on every

sphere of human life.

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 15 of 95

Physical consequences

Alcoholism gradually attacks all body systems, crippling their functioning. It affects the nervous system of your body leading to increased levels of normal emotions like tension, anxiety and inhibitions. It destroys inner lining of gastrointestinal tracts and stomach causing vomiting, nausea and bleeding.

Many sufferers have memory blackouts, unstable walking and impaired sense of balance. You lose your ability to judge or concentrate on anything.

Your body cannot absorb vitamins properly, leading to poor levels of essential nutrients in your body. The liver and pancreas suffer immense damage and alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis are often the result.

Heart functioning becomes irregular and the incidence of high blood pressure, clotting disorders, heart attacks, anemia, low blood sugar levels, and high fat content in the blood is markedly increased.

Sexual dysfunction, leading to cessation of menstruation in women and erectile dysfunction in men, is another consequence.

Alcohol consumption in pregnant women is believed to lead to malformation of the fetus with several behavioral problems, some of which are life-long impairments.

Severe alcoholism can lead to muscular malfunctioning and cancer in vital organs with severe, even fatal, consequences.

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 16 of 95

Social Consequences

Social consequences of alcoholism include unemployment, problems at home, souring of all relationships at all levels, higher incidence of traffic fatalities and other problems with police and other authorities.

Alcoholism can be a major factor in violent crimes, date rape, child abuse and teen pregnancy. It also causes immense havoc in the lives of your loved ones.

The alcoholic completely disassociates themselves from the real world.

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 17 of 95

4. Stages of Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a self-inflicted illness, which affects people everywhere

without regard to language, sex, creed, education, religion, or caste. It is usually slow in the early stages but a negative outcome is inevitable unless strong action is taken by the sufferer and those around them. However, denial is a symptom common to all sufferers and must be overcome for recovery to be possible and lasting.

Alcoholism sets in when occasional drinking becomes a habit. Prolonged

drinking causes resentment and unhappiness all around and can ruin you

totally.

Alcoholism normally passes through four stages with specific symptoms.

Denial is prevalent in all the stages.

First Stage

The initial stage is where you are amazed at the quantity of alcohol you can consume. That is often more than your friends and companions and leads you to boast about your capacity. When you drink to excess, you imagine yourself to be wealthy, go on careless spending sprees and are carefree in showing off your achievements.

Symptoms

1. Drinking “to relax”.

2. Drinking to relieve you of all tension, stress or mental fatigue.

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 18 of 95

3. Emptying all available bottles and cans to avoid wastage.

4. Always on the lookout for opportunities to drink.

5. Gradual increase in the quantity you can and do drink.

Second Stage

This is still an early part of alcoholism. You can mend your ways but only if you choose to do so. However, you are at crossroads and you need a strong mind and body to pull yourself back.

Symptoms

1. Frequent blackouts, similar to amnesia, occur during drinking sessions.

Although you are normal, you cannot later recall anything about what

you said or did - or even places you visited. This is not connected with loss of consciousness.

2. You swallow your first couple of drinks very quickly.

3. You drink extra alcohol ‘on the sly’ at parties and social gatherings or have a few gulps before or during events without the knowledge of

others there.

4. You seem to develop an inner feeling of guilt about your drinking

habits and you avoid any discussion about drinks or drinking.

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 19 of 95

Third Stage

This stage is the beginning of full addiction. You lose control over your drinking. Until now, you could stop whenever you wanted to. Now, it is very much harder – even impossible, although you started with an intention to just have a few drinks. This is the dangerous stage leading to total defeat.

Symptoms

1. Making excuses for your increased and frequent drinking.

2. Inability to control your drinking.

3. Avoiding meeting family, friends and close colleagues as you are

unable to honor your repeated promises to them that you would quit

drinking.

4. Aggressive behavior.

5. Neglecting food, increasing the damage to your body and general

health.

6. Losing interest in work, causing employment and money problems.

7. Acute necessity to have early morning drinks and lowered tolerance of alcohol.

Fourth Stage

This is the final stage.

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 20 of 95

Until now, you could choose to start or not start with the first drink. Now you cannot stop drinking.

You must drink. Until this chronic stage, you might manage your job and other commitments.

Now, you drink through all your waking hours. Hangovers are persistent and pronounced. You cannot start even one day without a drink and time-keeping is poor, so your morning may begin at any odd hour.

Symptoms

1. Drinking mania with long periods of intoxication.

2. Deterioration of moral values with lack of logical thinking.

3. Indescribable fears. vague feelings and thoughts.

4. Long hours of total blackout.

Alcoholism may not necessarily follow the given order but inevitably leads to death or serious impairment without proper medical attention and

rehabilitation.

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 21 of 95

5. How Alcoholism Affects Your Body

Scientific evidence indicates moderate drinking of one to two drinks a day may be beneficial to your cardiovascular system. All the positive effects are completely eroded with heavy and uncontrollable drinking; which creates total turmoil and disruption of the normal, essential biological activities of your body.

Alcoholism develops gradually over your lifetime. There are different

categories of alcoholics, some drink occasionally but binge heavily while others drink regularly and habitually – chronic drinkers.

Drinking can become an integral part of your life over a period and you get to the dangerous stage where you cannot live without drinking. You tell yourself that drinking is the only solution to all your problems.

But all drinking, even a moderate intake has some impact on your physical and mental condition. Complications develop gradually as you start to drink more and this will create adverse situations which can lead to serious, even fatal consequences, depending on your general health.

Effects of Alcoholism

Effects of alcoholism can be short-term or long-term.

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 22 of 95

Short-term Effects

Alcohol produces a feeling of depression and numbs physical and emotional pain. Alcohol enters the blood directly and easily percolates its way to your brain, producing equal alcohol levels in your brain and blood.

Short-term effects of alcohol can include -

• Hazy and blurred vision coupled with an inadequate sense of hearing.

• Impaired sense of balance, leading to shaky steps and general difficulty in walking.

• Improper coordination of different parts of your body leading to

physical injuries and bruises.

• Lack of normal judgmental abilities.

• Change in your emotions, reactions and perceptions.

• Hangovers.

If you consume a large amount of alcohol at a single session, your heartbeat and breathing levels slow down considerably. You may vomit with a

substantial amount of vomit entering your lungs causing choking.

It could lead to pneumonia, coma, and possibly a very unpleasant death.

Long-term Effects

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 23 of 95

and cause severe disruptions in the normal functioning of vital organs and body systems.

Effects on Your Nervous System

Alcohol slows down and erodes the effectiveness of your natural nerve reflexes which causes inefficient judgment because of a loss of coordination between nerves and brain.

Your central nervous system suffers a breakdown.

You lose your natural, socially approved inhibitions. You may indulge in unfair and illegal activities like thieving or risky behaviors like unprotected sex. This exposes you to major diseases like HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancies or other problems such as sexually transmitted diseases.

You will probably also have distortion of vision and hearing, frequent

extended blackouts with memory lapses. You lose your basic sense of

existence which is equal to being insane.

You are prone to alcoholic neuropathy with brain degeneration, and suffer from depression, insomnia and can easily develop suicidal tendencies.

The numbness of nerves which is common at this stage is due to improper

nutritional levels and is likely to lead to major diseases like Wernicke’s and Korsakoff's syndromes.

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 24 of 95

Liver

Your liver is vital for your general health. It produces digestive juice for your gastrointestinal system. The regular presence of alcohol in your liver causes many unsafe chemical reactions in your liver which enlarges and develops dangerous fatty deposits. Inflammation of your liver will often cause hepatitis.

Damage to liver cells disrupts or stops their functioning and causes liver cirrhosis which causes death.

Gastro-intestinal System

The prolonged presence of excessive alcohol in your body loosens your

stomach muscles, which then cannot stop the backward flow of stomach acid.

This acid strongly affects the esophageal tissues causing pain, bleeding, and lack of appetite. The dilated esophageal blood vessels are likely to hemorrhage and could burst, causing death.

The alcohol in the stomach can stop absorption of important nutrients, causing malnutrition and diarrhea. Pancreatic disorder is another offshoot of

alcoholism.

Blood

The prolonged presence of excessive alcohol in your blood increases the size of red blood cells and seriously reduces your count of protective white blood cells. Your immune system suffers and you are at constant risk of numerous infections.

This is the reason for high incidences of cancer among alcoholics.

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 25 of 95

Also, improper blood clotting causes incessant bleeding.

Reproductive System

Excessive drinking has serious impact on both male and female reproductive organs and their fertility. It reduces the size of ovaries and testicles, causing decreased production of eggs and sperm and other sexual dysfunction.

Babies of alcoholic mothers suffer fetal alcohol syndrome which causes fetal abnormalities, mental retardation and physical defects.

Heart and Circulatory System

High levels of alcohol in the blood increases your blood pressure to alarming levels leading to hemorrhage. It also weakens your heart muscles, enlarges your heart and causes abnormal heartbeats.

Increased blood clotting leads to heart attacks, strokes and other coronary diseases. It cripples your circulatory system and, at that advanced stage, death is inevitable.

Alcoholism is cancerous by itself and causes cancer of various body organs.

Alcoholism could cause problems for you even if you do not drink. Alcoholic family members and friends could become violent or cause serious accidents or other dangerous episodes.

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 26 of 95

6. Warning Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism

Most alcoholics hide their problem from others for fear of social alienation.

You are probably suffering some level of alcoholism if you drink twelve to fifteen drinks every week or five or more drinks at least once a week. A drink is equal to a five-ounce glass of wine, twelve-ounce bottle of beer or one and half ounce shot of alcohol.

You can best help yourself by recognizing impending stages of alcoholism. Of course, you need to be honest and your comparison should be with someone that definitely is not an alcoholic.

To check if you may be an alcoholic, answer these three questions with utmost truth about yourself;

1. Do you think about alcohol? Placing you and a non-alcoholic on the

same standard, the non-alcoholic will not think about alcohol.

2. Do you plan when to drink? Planning and scheduling your drinking

indicates that alcohol is more important in your life than the lives of

regular, healthy people.

3. Do you drink on the sly? Drinking without other’s knowledge and

lying about your habits are sure indicators of your alcoholic ways.

The three questions are in order of severity.

If you answer, “Yes” to any of the questions, you are progressing toward alcoholism.

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 27 of 95

You must take action to retrace your steps back to normalcy immediately.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism

Alcoholics rarely accept their alcoholic habits and become increasingly

assertive in their denials. Alcoholic symptoms and signs differ from individual to individual, although there are some which are typical with almost everyone.

Common signs are -

1. Blackouts and memory lapses.

2. Depression, irritability and anxiety.

3. Slackness and regular absence from work or classes.

4. Physical instability leading to shaky walking and frequent falling.

5. Insomnia and weight loss.

6. Loss of employment and subsequent financial problems.

7. Frequent accidents.

8. Broken relationships, divorces and separations.

Other symptoms include -

• Drinking alone.

• Drinking early in the morning.

• Unable to control your drinking or stopping but promising to do so.

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 28 of 95

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Abdominal pain and lack of interest in food.

• Numbness and jittery nerves.

• Shaking of body in mornings

• Feeling confused about everything

• Turning hostile and even violent when questioned about drinking.

• Neglecting your physical appearance.

• Giving drinking more importance than anything else, including family.

• Your vocal pitch increases with greater intake of alcohol.

• Frequent aggressiveness and other changes in personality and behavior.

Uncontrolled alcoholism could lead to severe disorders of body and brain.

These include serious medical conditions and ailments like;

neuropathy, Korsakoff's dementia, Wernicke's encephalopathy, brain

degeneration, hallucinations, seizures, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia and peptic ulcers.

Psychiatric disorders and even suicidal tendencies are common.

And this shocking list is not complete!

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 29 of 95

7. Common Causes of Alcoholism

Alcoholism usually starts with you drinking in small quantities but it slowly becomes a habit. Perhaps you start drinking to overcome stress or seek refuge from certain problems.

You find it difficult to quit and, eventually, this inclination becomes an addiction. You become dependent on alcohol to help you get over sorrows, miseries, disappointments, injuries, and the like. You feel that you can combat everything in this world if you have a drink.

Unfortunately, this is a total misconception. Instead, you lose your capabilities and become a slave to your drinking habit.

Alcoholics develop their dependence for a variety of reasons, no two are likely to be identical. There are no proven causes that are specific to particular age groups. Everyone is influenced to various degrees by peer pressures,

disappointments, accidents and tragedies, whatever their age and social

situation.

Children and grandchildren of alcoholics may be more likely to become

alcoholics due to environmental influences and certain genetic or biochemical abnormalities but other children from similar backgrounds are able to make their own successful paths through life.

The offspring of alcoholic parents may possess greater capacity to consume alcohol and they try to indulge in more drinks than their mates to show off their capability. This acts as an initial boost along the path to you turning into an alcoholic.

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 30 of 95

Some people say that they are better able to relax with a drink. Some others start drinking just for the fun of it, to be a part of their peer group or to satisfy their curiosity and find what it feels like.

Some other people feel that consuming alcohol provides them with relief from their physical and psychological traumas; it acts as a de-stressor for them.

Unfortunately, this is their misconception. Drinking only temporarily numbs the nerves and brain. You become mentally incapable of discerning your

problems and finding proper solutions to them.

A single drink leads to many more; you slowly develop a regular pattern

(really a hard-to-break habit) and then you become an addict, unable to survive without alcohol.

It is not just a quiet drink in the evening. Instead, it develops to drinking all throughout the day or, rather, all your waking hours. With addiction, you lose count of time, day and night; you wake up or are conscious at odd hours and always drink away your time.

There are exceptions to this, some alcoholics have greater sustaining strength and they continue with their relatively normal lives until the late and most serious stages.

You might attempt to see your psychiatrist as a way to fix your problem. But your negative mental state, already induced by the alcohol, fills your mind with anxiety, tension, depression, loneliness, gloominess, and discontent. These symptoms all encourage you to just take more alcohol which worsens your

state.

‘Take Control of Alcohol’ by Claire Nash

Page 31 of 95

Initially, you drink to overcome or forget these problems. However, drinking gradually weans you away from normal life and you create your own problems like;

irregular attendance at place of work leading to financial problems,

lack of social life with family and friends leading to marital discord and distancing with peer grou