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Alcoholism 10 key signs you need to be aware of
When we think of drugs and drug addiction, alcohol seldom comes to mind. But Alcohol, sometimes referred to by the chemical name ethanol, is a psychoactive drug.
Ethanol ethyl alcohol and grain alcohol, is a clear, colorless liquid and the principle ingredient in alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and distilled spirits. Alcohol is one of the oldest and most common recreational substances, causing the characteristic effects of alcohol intoxication (“drunkenness”).
A Common recreational drug
Among it’s other effects, alcohol produces all of the psychedelic changes in perception typically associated with “hard drugs” i.e. mood lift and euphoria, decreased anxiety, increased sociability, sedation, impairment of cognitive processes, memory, motor, and sensory function, and generalized depression of central nervous system function.
In many cultures around the world alcohol has been a long standing part of every day social life. While alcohol was used as part of meals, feasts, and even religious and other rituals, one common social expectation in nearly all communities and social norms was and still is; the advice to use it in moderation.
The failure to have some control on alcohol consumption has led many people down the path to destruction due to its impact at the personal level, the family and the larger society. It is common to hear people talk of alcoholism. But what really is alcoholism?
Alcoholism defined
There are several types of alcohol consumers as defined by their drinking habits. According to one source, there are three main types of alcohol consumers. These are:
- Consumers whose intake of alcohol is desirable
- Consumers whose alcohol consumption is excessive but without accompanying alcohol related problems.
- Consumers with alcohol related problems or dependence
Another classification, according to the department of health (Britain), has more groups identified. In all there are nine types. These are:
- De-stress drinkers. This group drink to calm down
- Conformist drinkers. They drink to feel part of a certain group.
- Boredom drinkers. They do it to while time away and break their monotonous schedule
- Depressed drinkers. They do it to overcome certain issues and to feel safe and secure.
- Re-bonding drinkers. These drink to remain close to people who matter to them.
- Hedonistic drinkers. This group consist of people usually with family issues such as divorcees with adult children. Their aim is to lose control through alcohol
- Community drinkers. These are peer-influenced drinkers who usually do it in large groups.
- Macho drinkers are mostly men of different ages. They usually spend most of their times in the pubs. Their subconscious aim is to appear above others.
- Border dependents. To this group, the pub is like another home for them. They will usually go there during the day, evening and weekends. They characteristically drink quickly and quite often.
Why is it important to identify the type of drinker a person is? This helps in offering help when needed. Alcohol problem management is an effort that goes beyond ceasing to take liqueur. This helps in individualizing treatment to the patient. With this, let’s now define the terms alcoholism and an alcoholic.
Alcoholics
This is a person suffering from alcohol use disorder. Such a person is obsessed with drinking regardless of its consequences on their health, their family stability or even their career safety.
Alcoholism is usually a process. It may be a progression from a light social drinker to an alcohol abuser and ultimately to a compulsive and obsessive drinker with subsequent many personal and social problems due to the illness.
Signs and symptoms of alcoholism
These can be grouped into a number of parameters. These include:
- Solo drinking
- Secrecy drinking
- Money problems even when earning a reasonable amount
- Need to take more alcohol to achieve same ‘feel’ of high
- Inability to regulate how much one drinks
- Withdrawal signs and symptoms when an alcoholic has not taken alcohol for a given number of hours
- No longer able to meet personal responsibilities such as school work, family or job
- Run-ins with the legal system
- Broken relationships
- Drinking to the point of blacking out for hours or even days.
All these symptoms point to a person who is need of urgent help with alcoholism.
If you need help with alcoholism here are some contacts:
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