Alcoholics Anonymous - Treatment, Symptoms and Causes

Alcoholism is a scourge, one that continues to affect millions worldwide; about nearly 18 million adults have been diagnosed with alcoholism and that’s just the latest stats from US. A closer look into some of the reported stats compiled from all countries shows an increasing dependence on alcohol and the fact that it is being continued to be abused worldwide. But what should set alarm bells ringing is that the age threshold for those being diagnosed with alcoholism seems to be getting younger with nations such as China, India, US reporting underage alcoholics.

Alcoholism is a disease, but one that can be treated provided the patient seeks early treatment and before much damage is done to the internal organs in his body. While it is perfectly healthy to imbibe a normal amount of alcohol once in a while, most addicts end up guzzling the same on a daily basis and as a result, their liver soon finds it hard to handle the overflow which eventually causes liver damage, cirrhosis, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, cancer and much more. This is why it is essential that you seek a professional’s advice and opt in for treatment, the moment you are diagnosed with alcohol dependence.

Most addicts would not admit that they have a problem, it’s called denial and they prefer to think that the alcohol they cannot do without each day is completely normal. But it is anything but normal and it is important that they seek treatment right away before they end up damaging their body permanently. Some of the causes for alcoholism tend to be biological where abuse at home or work can actually drive the patient to drink more in order to deal with the stress. According to most therapists, some of the triggers associated with alcoholism happen to be genetic predisposition (where others in your family suffer from the same condition), biological, environmental as well as psychological.

This is why it is essential for the addict to seek treatment at the earliest and given the fact that denial usually kicks in, most never opt for professional treatment and instead prefer to treat their condition on their own. This sadly, almost always never works out in the way it is supposed to and often sends the patient into a downward spiral. This is why it is important that if you spot a loved one displaying some of the symptoms listed below, you seek help and recourse with organizations such as alcoholics anonymous at the earliest.

Some of the symptoms associated with alcoholism happen to be –

• The inability to go through the whole day without a single drink
• Extreme mood swings
• Elevated levels of alcohol in one’s blood
• Being unable to say no to a drink
• Being moody, withdrawn when sober
• Inability to care about others around them
• Displaying signs of being tired or fatigued all the time
• Lying, cheating and even stealing in order to get a drink
• Drinking much more than usual, in order to get a buzz

These are some of the symptoms associated with alcoholism, so if any of the above sounds familiar to you or you have spotted the same in a loved one, then it is high time to consult a doctor and seek immediate treatment for the same.

Your doctor would first review your medical history and determine if you have any history of substance abuse; he would then undertake a physical examination and discuss your case with your loved ones and close family before diagnosing your condition. Once he diagnoses your condition, he would refer you to alcoholics anonymous; prescribe medications as well as psychiatric counseling.

In more severe cases, he would advise that you be admitted into a rehab to enable you to detox your body of all the harmful toxins built up due to alcohol abuse over long periods of time and to seek effective treatment for alcohol dependence. The rehab is the best option since it enables professionals to monitor your condition round the clock and provide you with the required support and assistance when undergoing withdrawal pains. It is important that you understand what the treatment process is about and why it is essential that you understand the dangers of alcohol dependence and why it is important for you to seek treatment right away.

When you feel that you cannot go without a single day without alcohol, then you do have a problem and need immediate help and treatment. There is no permanent cure to alcoholism which is why all alcoholics are advised to remain abstemious for the rest of their lives and avoid alcohol all together. Even a single drink can put you at risk of relapsing, so you may be required to make a few lifestyle changes and stay away from drinking any amount of alcohol.

Once you are admitted into a rehab, you may start experiencing some of the following withdrawal symptoms associated with alcoholism.

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Heavy sweating
• Hallucinations
• Palpitations and much more.