Alcohol Addiction And Loss Of Control
A serious alcohol addiction must be treated by a medical professional with low dose anti-convulsants or barbiturates during the first few days of withdrawal. IVs flowing with hydration and nutrients are also typically required. The effects of alcohol addiction can be just as terrifying as drug withdrawal and even deadlier than heroin withdrawal. Psychological support groups are needed for long-term care of a recovering alcoholic and abstinence is likely the only answer.
Prior to an addiction to alcohol, there is generally a prolonged time period when the social drinker finds that he or she is drinking more frequently, experiencing more adverse effects and is slightly losing control. Alcohol abusers start showing signs like drinking and driving, participating in dangerous activities while under the influence, continuing to drink even when problems with friends or family happen as a result of alcohol consumption and getting into physical fights. Drinking alcohol begins to interfere with not only social relations, but also obligations at work and school, and in some cases, drinking may even land an individual in legal trouble. These are early warning signs that alcohol use is crossing over into alcohol abuse.
The next stage is alcohol addiction, or as it is sometimes called, alcoholism or alcohol dependency. Now the drinker loses all control and the physiological/psychological effects of alcohol surface. Drinkers find that they’re consuming more than they originally intended to, find that they can’t stop or cut back drinking, and find that they need to drink more to get drunk. They may have trouble sleeping, have shaky hands, sweating, nauseousness, nervousness or the feeling of bugs crawling all over them. They likely drink or take medication to avoid hangovers and continue drinking alcohol to cover up sadness, anger or anxiety. The binge drinking bouts become progressively longer and the individual often loses interest in all other hobbies in favor of drinking.
Many people who have friends or family members showing signs of alcohol addiction feel frustrated because they desperately care and want to help. However, unless that alcohol addicted person is willing to endure treatment, nothing can be done. Sometimes, binge drinkers will hit rock bottom with a medical emergency before they accept that they have to change their behavior. All one can do is express support, try not to be an enabler and suggest alternate coping mechanisms.
For help and more information about alcoholism and how to stop drinking, visit Alcoholics Anonymous.
By Healthy Relationships Editor
