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ALCOHOLISM

Alcoholism is not a lifestyle choice. It is a
disease, an actual impairment of the body's
health that prevents the person from
functioning normally and causes not only
pain to the alcoholic but also the family and
friends. Evidence of alcoholism includes a
preoccupation with getting or using alcohol,
 persistent or unsuccessful efforts to
quit drinking, and continued alcohol
use in spite of adverse consequences.

                    The following questions are used by the National
                    Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to
                    screen for alcohol abuse/dependence:
 

·         Have you felt that you should cut down on your drinking?                         

·         Do you ever drive when drinking?                                                            

·         Is someone in your family concerned about your drinking?

·         Have you ever had any blackouts after drinking?

·         Have you ever been absent from work or lost a job because of drinking?

·         Do you have to drink more than before to achieve intoxication or the desired effect (to screen for tolerance)?

 

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       Some of the symptoms associated 
       with  alcoholism include:

·         solitary drinking                                                    

·         making excuses to drink

·         need for daily or frequent use of alcohol for adequate function

·         lack of control over drinking, with inability to discontinue or reduce alcohol intake

·         episodes of violence associated with drinking

·         secretive behavior to hide alcohol related behavior

·         hostility when confronted about drinking 

·         neglect of food intake 

·         neglect of physical appearance

·         nausea and vomiting

·         shaking in the morning

·         abdominal pain

·         numbness and tingling

·         confusion

 

                              Note: Symptoms may vary.

                         People with alcoholism typically demonstrate a loss of control when it
                         comes to alcohol use. It’s often easier to have no alcohol than it is to stop
                         after a determined limit. Once alcoholics start drinking they can’t stop,
                         even if they’ve decided beforehand only to have a limited number of drinks.
        

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