Alcohol is a generic term and it can denote a number of beverages that contain ethyl alcohol or ethanol, found in wine, beer, vodka, rum, cognac, and other liquor beverages. When yeasts, starches and sugars are fermented alcohol is produced.
1. What is Alcoholism?
When somebody becomes dependent on alcohol then it results in a disease known as alcohol dependence. These addicts display four major symptoms like craving, loss of control over their drinking binge, physical dependence and tolerance. In physical dependence, they suffer from withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, shaking of nerves, nausea and sweating after they stop drinking. They become so addicted to the drink that their tolerance levels increases so much that they require to down many glasses of the liquor before they hit a high.
2. Is Alcoholism a Disease?
Alcoholism is a disease and requires treatment. Nothing will stop an alcoholic from drinking, even if he and his family are in dire financial, health or legal problems. They would not hesitate to beg, borrow or steal to drink. Alcoholism is a chronic disease and lasts a lifetime and only through continued medical treatment and counseling can an alcoholic become completely free from this malady.
3. How Alcohol Affects a Person?
When somebody drinks, the alcohol consumed affects every body organ. Alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the blood stream from the stomach and small intestines and it reaches the central nervous system where it depresses the various functions. The liver is the main organ that metabolizes alcohol and it can only do small amounts, and that leaves the excess alcohol consumed to freely circulate all through the body. The intensity with which the body gets affected is directly proportional to the amount of alcohol consumed. Some alcohol addicts become completely stoned after a couple of drinks while others tend to lose their senses with a few drinks and begin to talk incoherently.
4. What Makes Some People React Differently to Alcohol?
There are many factors that determine why some people react differently to alcohol than others. These factors include:
- Gender
- Age
- Race
- Physical Condition
- The amount of food consumed before their drinking session
- How quickly their bodies absorb the alcohol
- Prescription medications and other drug substances
- A family history of alcohol problems
5. What is a Standard Drink?
In India a standard drink is 300 ml of regular beer, 150 ml of wine or 45 ml of distilled liquor or spirits like whiskey, gin, vodka or rum.
In the United States a standard drink is equivalent to 0.6 ounces or 13.7 grams of pure alcohol. This amount of pure alcohol is found in a 12 ounce beer can, eight ounces of malted liquor, five ounces of wine, and 1.5 ounces or a shot of 80-proof distilled liquor or spirits like whiskey, gin, vodka or rum.
6. What is the Difference Between Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse?
In alcohol abuse, a person causes harm not only to their health but also their interpersonal relationships and their ability to perform well at work. The effects of alcohol abuse are their failure to fulfill their obligations at home as parents, spouses and at work as employees. They drink while driving least concerned of the possibility to cause grievous hurt to others, they face many legal problems as they get arrested for speeding on the roads or running over innocent people, continuous drinking inspite of relationship problems with loved ones and alcohol abuse can turn into alcohol dependence over long time. Alcoholism is a chronic disease. Both are serious conditions that require immediate medical attention.
7. Can Drinking Alcohol Lead to Health Problems?
Drinking, whether is heavy or binge drinking causes serious health problems.
- The liver gets affected and leads to Cirrhosis or damage to liver cells, inflammation of the pancreas or pancreatitis, different forms of cancer affecting various part of the body like mouth, throat, larynx, liver, esophagus, increases blood pressure and other psychological disorders.
- Leads to unintentional and accidental injuries to other innocent people even causing death.
- Violent behavior like suicidal tendencies, causing harm to other like murder and even ill treatment of children.
- Excessive alcohol intake by women can cause serious damage to unborn fetus in pregnant women.
- SIDS or sudden infant syndrome becomes inevitable in alcohol abusive women.
- Alcohol dependence or abuse.
8. Can Medications Treat Alcoholism?
There are many medications that can treat alcoholism effectively. A doctor needs to be consulted and he/she will prescribe the perfect medication to help alcohol abuse. Along with medication, an alcohol addict requires counseling and continued support from family and loved ones to see them through this very difficult period. Lack of family support will make them go back to their old ways and it will be very difficult to get them treated again. A person is said to have kicked their habit of alcohol dependence if they remain sober for extended periods of time and show no inclination to go back to their old ways.
