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.

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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 and Society

 Have you ever been woken up late one night to the sounds of drunken shouting from those besotted souls leaving the pubs at closing hours?  Where the individuals involved bellow incoherently at each other, sometimes accompanied by the report of smashing beer bottles? Such is but a small taster of some of the many social effects that alcoholism can have upon British society.

Remember that alcohol's strength as a social lubricant comes from its capacity to remove the usual social inhibitions that people place upon themselves. This is why conversation is easier, jokes are funnier, and tempers grow more unbridled. You're simply not as inclined to check your behaviour as you normally would. Half the time you don't even realise the change.

Consider, then, what effects that alcohol-induced social apathy towards your behaviour can have on a broader scale, especially to those who have become incapable of controlling their urge to drink. After all, alcohol is an addictive substance. Indeed, scientific studies have shown that alcohol is in fact more addictive than cannabis.

The effects of alcoholism on society can be clearly seen in a variety of sources. Cases of domestic abuse, for example, are often linked with excessive alcohol abuse. Families experiencing alcohol addiction frequently suffer from heightened tensions, arguments and destabilised relationships. Crime hotspots, likewise, tend to gravitate around areas where alcohol is freely plied, with cases such as assault or vandalism plaguing such areas. Alcoholism can also have an adverse effect on employment, largely by inducing an attitude that conflicts with the working ethic of the modern workplace. Due to conflicts with colleagues, poor performance and possible lapses in attendances, workers suffering from alcoholism frequently find themselves in long-term unemployment.

The effects of alcoholism also damage our children. Children living in alcoholic households are more likely to suffer from poor grades, behavioural problems, truancy and depression. Worst still, such children are more likely to succumb to alcohol addiction themselves in their future lives.

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.