ALCOHOLISM
What is Alcoholism?
• Alcoholism is a disease in which an individual is dependent upon alcohol. About 9 million persons in the
United States have this disease. It is a life-long illness, is incurable, and the only effective management
is total abstinence from alcohol.
What are the symptoms of Alcoholism?
• Alcoholism may begin with social drinking or drinking to relieve stress and tension. As the individual
continues to drink, tolerance develops, and the amount required to achieve the desired effect increases
steadily.
• This progresses to blackouts—periods of drinking time that the individual is unable to remember.
• The disease has now progressed to the point that the individual requires alcohol to prevent withdrawal
symptoms, yet denial of problems is common.
• Binges occur leading to physical illness and/or loss of consciousness. Abstaining from alcohol at this
point can lead to tremors, hallucinations, convulsions, and severe agitation.
• Chronic alcoholism leads to many serious physical problems involving the heart, brain, and
gastrointestinal system.
What causes Alcoholism?
• Genetic. Alcoholism is thought to have a strong hereditary component.
• Biological. There may be a connection between alcoholism and certain neurotransmitters that form
addictive substances in the brain when they combine with the products of alcohol metabolism.
• Social learning. Drinking alcohol may be learned early in the family of origin, thereby leading to a
problem with drinking.
• Cultural. The incidence of alcohol abuse and dependence is higher in some cultures than others.
How is Alcoholism diagnosed?
• Alcoholism is diagnosed when the use of alcohol interferes with any aspect of the individual’s life.
• The individual continues to drink even though he or she understands the negative consequences.
When dependence occurs, the individual develops a tolerance and requires more and more of the
substance.
• A syndrome of withdrawal symptoms occurs when the individual stops drinking or drastically cuts down
on the amount consumed.
What is the treatment for Alcoholism?
• Rehabilitation Programs. Help the individual get dry and, through therapy, to work toward achieving
and maintaining sobriety.
• Alcoholics Anonymous. Self-help support groups made up of alcoholics who work to help each other
achieve and maintain sobriety.
• Medications. Disulfiram (Antabuse) is a deterrent therapy. Individuals who drink alcohol while taking
this drug become very ill. Naltrexone (ReVia), nalmefene (Revex), and acamprosate (Campral) have
been used with some success in the treatment of alcoholism.
What is Alcoholism?
• Alcoholism is a disease in which an individual is dependent upon alcohol. About 9 million persons in the
United States have this disease. It is a life-long illness, is incurable, and the only effective management
is total abstinence from alcohol.
What are the symptoms of Alcoholism?
• Alcoholism may begin with social drinking or drinking to relieve stress and tension. As the individual
continues to drink, tolerance develops, and the amount required to achieve the desired effect increases
steadily.
• This progresses to blackouts—periods of drinking time that the individual is unable to remember.
• The disease has now progressed to the point that the individual requires alcohol to prevent withdrawal
symptoms, yet denial of problems is common.
• Binges occur leading to physical illness and/or loss of consciousness. Abstaining from alcohol at this
point can lead to tremors, hallucinations, convulsions, and severe agitation.
• Chronic alcoholism leads to many serious physical problems involving the heart, brain, and
gastrointestinal system.
What causes Alcoholism?
• Genetic. Alcoholism is thought to have a strong hereditary component.
• Biological. There may be a connection between alcoholism and certain neurotransmitters that form
addictive substances in the brain when they combine with the products of alcohol metabolism.
• Social learning. Drinking alcohol may be learned early in the family of origin, thereby leading to a
problem with drinking.
• Cultural. The incidence of alcohol abuse and dependence is higher in some cultures than others.
How is Alcoholism diagnosed?
• Alcoholism is diagnosed when the use of alcohol interferes with any aspect of the individual’s life.
• The individual continues to drink even though he or she understands the negative consequences.
When dependence occurs, the individual develops a tolerance and requires more and more of the
substance.
• A syndrome of withdrawal symptoms occurs when the individual stops drinking or drastically cuts down
on the amount consumed.
What is the treatment for Alcoholism?
• Rehabilitation Programs. Help the individual get dry and, through therapy, to work toward achieving
and maintaining sobriety.
• Alcoholics Anonymous. Self-help support groups made up of alcoholics who work to help each other
achieve and maintain sobriety.
• Medications. Disulfiram (Antabuse) is a deterrent therapy. Individuals who drink alcohol while taking
this drug become very ill. Naltrexone (ReVia), nalmefene (Revex), and acamprosate (Campral) have
been used with some success in the treatment of alcoholism.
