How to Recognize Alcoholism
By Robert Thatcher
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 Alcoholism is a devastating disease that
effects millions of people every year. Recognizing alcoholism in yourself or someone else can be difficult.
Alcoholism is defined as a disease that allows a persons use of alcohol to interfere with their life and the basic functioning of their daily
tasks, needs and responsibilities.
| According to alcoholism statistics, roughly 9.7 million current drinkers in the United States are between the
ages of 12-20. Regarding these young drinkers, 18.7% are binge drinkers and 6% are excessive drinkers. |
The clinical way of looking at alcohol is by examining the amount of alcohol a person consumes. A women who drinks more than seven drink per
week or more than three drinks a day and a man who drinks more than 14 drinks per week or four drinks in a day would be considered an alcoholic.
A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80 proof liquor.
| Factors that affect your blood alcohol level include the following: how quickly your body metabolizes
alcohol, how quickly you consume the alcoholic drink, how much food is in your stomach at the time you drink, how strong the
alcoholic drink is, and how many drinks you consume. |
 Warning signs of alcoholism may vary form person to
person. Usually though these warning signs will be obvious. The following list outlines some of these signs.
- misses a lot of work or school
- losses interest in family, friends or activities
- depression
- drinking to cope with any problem
- insomnia
- being intoxicated often
- moody
- drinking related health problems
These are some of the noticeable warning signs. More serious behaviors can also serve as a wake-up call. Risky behavior like drinking and
driving should be taken seriously.
| According to the 2001 alcoholism statistics, the highest rates for alcohol-related traffic accident fatalities
in the United States were recorded for drivers who were 21 to 24 years old (33%), followed by drivers who were 25 to 34
(28%), and lastly by drivers who were 35 to 44. (25%). These alcohol facts substantiate the claim by many
alcoholism researchers that younger drivers are involved in more alcohol-related driving fatalities than older drivers. |
 Alcohol when taken in moderation is a nice way to
relax or enjoy a social engagement, where when alcohol becomes a problem it can effect everyone who is close to the alcoholic. Some things
that can tell a person they may be having a problem with alcohol are:
- worry over not having alcohol or money to buy it
- hiding alcohol so others do not know you have it
- often wishing to be drunk or get drunk faster
- unable to stop drinking once started
- hearing others comment on your drinking
| Substance abuse research studies have demonstrated that inpatient detox programs are more effective and longer
lasting than outpatient detoxification programs. The important point to emphasize, however, is the following: the
more severe the alcohol-related withdrawal symptoms, the more likely that inpatient detox programs should be employed. |
Alcoholism should always be taken seriously. If you or someone you know has a drinking problem professional help is available in every
community. Recognizing the problem is the first step to finding a solution.
Robert Thatcher is a freelance author based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and
contributes on a regular basis to FreeNetPublishing.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Thatcher
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| Why do people need alcoholism treatment? Alcoholics must lie and they must continue to lie, or their addiction
cannot exist. Alcoholism cannot live in the light of the truth. You can't tell the truth to yourself and continue be an
alcoholic or drug addict. With the truth, you would realize the problem, and get some help. All of the lies exist to protect
the alcoholic or drug addict from a painful truth. The truth is that addicts are out of control and if they keep up the
addictive behavior, they are doomed. The truth causes great anxiety so addicts defend themselves from the truth. Addicts
distort the truth just enough to feel like nothing is wrong. The reason alcoholics need alcoholism treatment is they are
lying to themselves and they don't know it. They couldn't tell you the truth if they wanted to, because they don't know what
it is. This self-delusion grows gradually over many years. People who need alcoholism treatment think they are fine even when
they are dying. |
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