Alcoholism or addiction to alcohol is defined in several ways. Even definitions seem to be conflictive sometimes. Commonly known, alcoholism is the recurrent consumption of alcohol without considering the negative aspects of it. In the medical environment, alcoholism is defined as a disorder, usually physiological, that affects the ability to control alcohol ingestion. Another definition describes alcoholics as individuals unable to recognize the negative aspects of alcoholism continuing with that behavior including urgency or compulsion with alcohol. Alcoholism is essentially related to alcohol consumption, but it doesn´t necessarily mean that a person who drinks alcohol will develop alcoholism. Addiction involves aspects such as amount of alcohol or how often a person drinks that amount of alcohol. It varies from person to person, of course. There are also some biological and physiological components to alcoholism.
Scientists say that exist genetic evidence suggesting that an allele (DNA) is associated to opiate addiction and alcoholism. This allele is found more commonly in alcoholics, but the medical community assures that it doesn´t necessarily means that this allele has to be present to develop alcoholism. Actually researchers assure that this evidence is highly contradictory.
The problems related to alcohol misuse are abundant. This condition affects all aspects in an individual´s life. An alcoholic will drink excessive amounts of alcohol at while performing regular tasks, taking care of children, working hours, etc. which will impact negatively his life and, in most cases, will put at risk others´ life. Regarding health, an alcoholic may suffer pancreatitis, heart diseases, sexual dysfunction, dementia, nutritional deficiencies and finally death. It could also lead to social conflicts such as divorce, social isolation related to his behavior, etc. There are also economic effects involve, legal and emotional consequences, among others.
Alcohol treatment research has shown that recovery programs may approach the problem in different perspectives. Two main phases are present in these programs: treatment and detoxification. Treatments are used to teach the individual how to manage physical reactions and develop self control; it can be accomplished by using group therapy, individual counseling and medications.
But, does alcohol treatment really work?
This will depend on how committed the individual is with the program, and of course, how complete the program chosen is. Not to mention all external aspects that are involved in an alcohol treatment. Most of the times aftercare, or additional support is needed, sometimes for a life time, and a good social support may determine the success of the program. Based on recent studies, after following an alcohol treatment for a year, forty percent of alcoholics got in a better situation but still drink, twenty five percent relapsed and a third are happily sober.
Breaking the addiction might a long term process. Even though people changed their behaviors, relapse will always be present, and often happens, but that doesn´t mean that alcoholism is invincible. Many specialists state that relapses are just another step of the process and have to be taken as a chance to know a bit more about the problem.
