What is Alcoholism?

In its most basic terms, alcoholism is a complete dependence on alcohol. According to the World Health Association, as many as 140 million people across the world are afflicted with varying degrees of dependence on alcohol, while other sources estimate that around 4 million of those are in the UK alone. 

Alcoholism is one of the more wide-spread addictions afflicting British society, however it receives little attention from the British government. Within the last five years, only £100 million had been set aside for alcoholic treatment, in comparison to under £600 million for other harder drugs, such as cocaine and heroin. Three-fifths of dependent drinkers, as a result, are often unable to secure help and treatment.

The problem with alcoholism is that it’s exceedingly difficult to get people to admit when they have a problem, because alcohol is such an overlooked social drug. No one thinks much of drinking, and in truth there’s nothing wrong with this in and of itself. However it does mean that people often don’t recognise that they may have become dependent on alcohol, even when they binge drink. “I don’t have a problem, I can quite when I want” is often a phrase followed by a demonstration that, in fact, the speaker cannot quit when she or he wants. A glass of wine after dinner becomes several cans of beer through the evening (“I had friends round I wanted to be sociable”) and then becomes several more beers later (“It was a one-time celebration!”). After that, they drink daily in increasing volumes. To be sure, some can quit drinking, however most find themselves dependent.

Causes of alcoholism are not standard. It can be a mixture of family background, socio-economic background and even genetics. Children from alcoholic households are, likewise, more likely to become alcoholics themselves later in life.

Signs of alcoholism can include build ups of fluids and gas in the stomach area that are popularly called a “beer gut”, broken capillaries (blood vessels) in the face -- which forms the classic drunkard’s red nose --, shaking hands, a yellowish tone to the skin and a raspy voice. Mentally alcoholics can have bouts of amnesia, disorientation, mood swings and depression. The latter can lock the alcoholic in question in a vicious downward cycle: he drinks because he’s depressed and he’s depressed because he drinks.

http://www.timetostop.net/

Be aware, however, that while it’s a good chance that someone exhibiting these signs may be an alcoholic, it’s not proof. Get alcohol addiction help at www.timetostop.net. 

Alcohol, the Body and You!

It's a common occurrence in today's world; when life gives you lemons, have a slice of them with a shot of vodka. Today Britain has garnered a rather unsavoury reputation for drinking, and not just drinking, but binge drinking. Let's not split hairs here; there's nothing wrong with drinking in moderate amounts, in keeping with the daily recommended limits (3-4 units for men,  1-2 units for women). However binge drinking by definition is far from moderate.

But what's the big deal, you may well ask? After all, what could a little booze-up on the side possibly do? All this sounds like the typical British Nanny State.

Au contraire, mon ami. The effects of alcoholism on the human body are extensively documented and well-studied, and very few of the effects on the body can be considered positive. Remember: alcohol is, ultimately, a poison. It's a chemical that disrupts the delicate chemical balance of your body. It adversely inhibits your cognitive ability, such as memory and reflex times, which can also lead to brain damage, corrodes the liver and kidneys, and can also cause numerous illnesses, such as dysentery, diabetes, or even cancer. In extreme cases, it can very easily kill you.

Rest assured that although it's tempting to declare that only the occasional night of hard drinking is harmless, the truth of the matter is even just a weekly binge can cause colossal damage to your system. Perhaps the most insidious trait alcoholism possesses is the ability to convince you there is no danger. To paraphrase CS Lewis: "the greatest victory alcoholism can have is to convince you it does not exist". Like all addictions, alcoholism requires the individual to recognise for himself that he is suffering from a problem, something all too easier said than done.

So what can you do? Fortunately there is a wide berth of support available for those suffering from alcohol addiction. Clinics, rehab centres and hospitals across the country all possess effective programmes tailor-made to deal with alcoholism, from identifying the illness to treating the damage it causes. Alcoholics Anonymous is perhaps the most well-known support group known, and there are dozens, if not hundreds, others like it. Check with your local hospital for further information.