Alcoholism

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a complex chronic psychological and nutritional disorder associated with excessive and usually compulsive consumption of alcohol. Alcohol dependence affects many different kinds of people around the world; men, women, rich, poor, business people, laborers and people from many different religions and cultures. Alcoholism dates back hundreds of years. In the early 1900s alcoholics would be viewed immoral and of weak character and would be punished. Today, about 62 million people suffer from this illness.

Scientist do not know what exactly causes alcoholism, but most experts suspect it's a combination of things. Genetic, physiological, psychological and social factors all contribute to this disease. People that are alcohol dependent

should seek treatment as early as possible. Not only is it bad for your health, alcoholism causes and is related to many other problems, such as depression, abuse, automobile accidents, homicide and suicide. Once a person realizes they have a drinking problem there are many different methods of treatment that are publicly available for them.

It is difficult to say exactly what causes a person to be dependent

on alcohol, but a specialist can evaluate and determine weather it is one or multiple associations with the genetic, physiological, psychological and social make up of the person.

Studies show that alcoholism run in families- alcoholics are more likely to become dependent if they have a blood relative who is an alcoholic. Weather this is a result from genetics or from a common home environment is still being determined. However, researchers have moved closer to finding the genes for alcoholism. The genes may not be specific to alcohol dependence, but may determine traits that increase a person's vulnerability to alcohol use disorders.

Once people begin drinking excessively, the problem can perpetuate itself. Excessive drinking can cause physiological changes that make more drinking the only way to avoid discomfort. Drinking alters the balance of some chemicals in your brain that inhabit impulsiveness and excite the nervous system. Alcohol also raises the levels of the chemical that is associated with the pleasurable aspects of drinking alcohol. This causes the body to crave alcohol, restore good feelings and avoid negative feelings.

As well as physiological loss of control, psychological loss of control is common also. Having low self-esteem or people suffering from depression are more likely to abuse alcohol or to "drown their sorrows". Or even having friends or a close partner who drinks regularly, a person could feel pressure to drink excessively. Once a person falls into drinking they develop a psychological condition known as denial. Because of negative feedback received about their alcoholism, people are unable to acknowledge that their denial of alcoholism is the cause of all their problems.

It is easy in most cases to fall