Alcoholism-- What Should I Know About It?
What is alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a disease that affects the part of the brain that
controls your feelings, the way you make decisions, and the way
you act. People with alcoholism cannot control how much they
drink. What causes alcoholism?
Nobody knows what causes alcoholism. People with parents who
have alcoholism have a greater chance of getting the disease.
Alcoholism may be related to the things we learn when we are
growing up. Alcoholism is not caused by a lack of will power or
moral values.
How can I tell if I have alcoholism?
It is not easy to tell if you have alcoholism. You might drink
socially at first, but over time the drinking can get out of
control. Your family, friends, or doctor might notice it before
you do. You might drink to help yourself go to sleep or deal
with stress and anxiety. Over time, you need to drink more to
feel the same way. As the drinking gets worse, you may have some
of the following:
* Stomach ulcers
* Liver disease
* Mood problems, such as depression and irritability
* Trouble sleeping
* Problems with family and friends
* Problems at work.
You might have alcoholism if you have tried to quit drinking but
were not able to stop. Alcoholism can make you do things you
wouldn't do if you were sober. Some of these things can hurt
other people, even the people you love.
Where can I get help for alcoholism?
Your doctor can help you find the right treatment program. You
also can check with your health insurance company. Some
insurance plans cover alcohol treatment only at certain places.
If you have been a heavy drinker for a long time, do not stop
drinking suddenly. This can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms.
What is withdrawal?
When you stop drinking, your body might find it hard with no
alcohol. You might have some uncomfortable feelings. That is
called withdrawal. You might feel anxious and confused or have
trouble sleeping. If you get "the shakes" when you don't drink,
or if you feel like you need to have a drink early in the day,
you might need to take medicine when you stop drinking to help
with the withdrawal. This is called detoxification
(say:dee-tox-uh-fuh-kay-shun, or "detox," for short).
How can my doctor tell if I need detoxification?
Your doctor will ask you questions to see if you need to take
medicine to stop drinking. It is important to be honest with
your doctor about how much you drink and the kinds of drugs you
take.
Can detoxification be done at home?
Yes, but only with close supervision from your doctor. You will
need to have another person at home to help you take your
medicine. If you have serious withdrawal symptoms or other
medical problems, you might have to go to a hospital for
detoxification. Tell your doctor if you had a seizure or got
delirious when you tried to stop drinking before.
What happens after detoxification?
Detoxification is not enough to treat alcoholism. You should
have counseling before and after detoxification. Counseling will
help keep you from drinking again.
What about Alcoholics Anonymous?
Alcoholics Anonymous, or "A.A.," is a free support group for
people with alcoholism. The people in A.A. help each other stay
sober. Most communities have A.A. meetings, and most alcohol
treatment programs tell their patients to go to these meetings.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor
This information provides a general overview and may not apply
to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this
information applies to you and to get more information on this
subject.