Alcoholism is medically recognised as a primary, chronic, progressive, and sometimes fatal, disease. It is characterised by a mental obsession that causes a physical compulsion to drink.

Mental obsession
A mental obsession is characterised as a thought process over which an individual has little to no control. Such is the nature of the disease of alcoholism that the mere triggering of a thought of an alcoholic beverage in the mind of an alcoholic renders him powerless. These triggers are often random in nature, and can include stress, anger, frustration…even happiness. External triggers can include any sensory perception, including images and sounds.

Typically, an alcoholic is unconscious of this process, and simply becomes aware of an immediate compulsion to drink.

Progressive Disease
In its early stages, the compulsion to drink may be satisfied by just one or two drinks, but soon progresses to six or seven and later maybe ten or twelve. For most alcoholics, drinking will continue until they pass out.

The progression of the disease is so subtle and usually takes place over such an extended period of time, that even the alcoholic fails to notice the point at which he/she lost control, and alcohol took over his/her life.

It is in this way that denial becomes an almost universal symptom of the disease. For those who have come to the realisation that they do have a problem, help is readily available. But for those who need help and do not want it, intervention may be the only alternative.

Types of Alcohol Problems
Alcohol problems occur at different levels of severity, from mild and annoying to life-threatening. Although alcohol dependence (alcoholism) is the most severe stage, less severe drinking problems can also be dangerous.

Binge Drinking
Technically, binge drinking means having five or more drinks in one session for men and four or more for women. Another definition of binge drinking is simply drinking to get drunk. It is the most common drinking problem for young people, under age 21. Binge drinkers have the highest risk of injury.

Alcohol Abuse
Binge drinking turns into alcohol abuse when someone’s drinking begins to cause problems and the drinking continues anyway. Alcohol abuse is when someone continues to drink in spite of continued social, interpersonal or legal difficulties. Alcohol abuse can result in missing time at school or work, neglecting child or household responsibilities or trouble with the law.

Alcohol Dependence
Alcohol abuse becomes alcohol dependence when drinkers begin to experience a craving for alcohol, a loss of control of their drinking, withdrawal symptoms when they are not drinking and an increased tolerance to alcohol so that they have to drink more to achieve the same effect. Alcohol dependence is a chronic and often progressive disease that includes a strong need to drink despite repeated problems.

Is Alcoholism Inherited?
Alcoholism tends to run in the family and a vast amount of scientific research indicates that genetics play a role in developing alcohol problems. But research also shows that a person’s environment and peer influences also impact the risk of becoming alcohol dependent.

Although a massive amount of scientific research indicates heredity plays some role in developing alcoholism, having a family history of alcoholism does not doom a person into becoming an alcoholic. The genetic tendencies can be overcome.

Getting Help
Alcoholism must be treated like the disease it is. The Harmony Group of treatment centres has been helping people overcome alcoholism for over 7 years. Providing a specialised combination of medical treatment and behavioural therapy has seen a high success rate of recovery for alcoholics. If you or a loved one needs help, contact us today through our email form or phone us at 086 695 9067.

Are you an alcoholic / addict?
Ask yourself the following twenty questions; answer them as honestly as you
can… more