About Alcoholism

Casual drinking is a common ritual in our culture -- in traditions like campus keg parties, a "beer and a dog" at the ballgame, or a nice bottle of wine on the dinner table. In countless advertisements, fun-loving youth frolic on the beach with beer cans in hand: To drink is to be happy, the tantalizing ads promise. But while it's hard to deny the pleasures of a gin and tonic on a lazy summer evening, for millions of Americans drinking is the root of a nightmarish disease. For alcoholics, behind the glamour of crystal snifters and decorative ice buckets looms an addiction that causes more than 100,000 deaths every year.

What is alcoholism?

Alcoholism, also called "alcohol dependence," is a chronic, progressive disease marked by a high tolerance for alcohol and a physical dependence on it. Contrary to what many people believe, alcoholics aren't people with weak moral character or a lack of will power. Rather, alcoholism is an illness, one that affects more than 8 million Americans.

How does alcoholism differ from alcohol abuse?

The two disorders have many symptoms in common, so the line between them is often tough to draw. However, most experts say the element of physical dependence is not found in alcohol abusers, who are also less likely to have the high tolerance for drink found in alcoholics. Alcohol abusers may progress to becoming alcoholics, but not necessarily.

What causes alcoholism?

No one really knows, but experts do agree that the disease's development is influenced by many forces: hereditary, social, psychological, and environmental.

Today, many researchers believe that most of the harmful effects seen in alcoholics are caused by a buildup of a toxic metabolic byproduct of alcohol called acetaldehyde. This substance may interact with brain chemicals to create a physiological need for the alcoholic to continue drinking, scientists believe. It may also cause cell damage in many organs.

Curiously, a strong tolerance for alcohol may predict the development of alcoholism later in life. Young men who can "drink others under the table," for example, have a higher risk of becoming alcoholics than their peers who cannot. One theory is that young men with a high early tolerance have a neurochemical deficiency that allows them to drink more alcohol before feeling its intoxicating effects. This way, the disease can sneak up on them before they realize what's happening.

Are some people more apt to become alcoholics than others?

Yes. Studies show that children of alcoholics are much more prone to alcoholism, probably due to both nature and nurture, a combination of genetic factors, and the impact of growing up in an alcoholic home. Alcoholics are three times as likely to be male as female. Finally, some studies show that people who begin drinking at a very young age have a much higher rate of alcoholism than others -- in one study, 40 percent of the people who started drinking before the age of 15 later became dependent on alcohol.

How do I know if I'm an alcoholic?

The following symptoms should tip you off that you -- or someone you know -- may need treatment for alcoholism: An uncontrollable craving. An actual need for alcohol may seem unfathomable to someone who's not an alcoholic, but if you're alcoholic, you have a craving for alcohol similar to that of food and water.

No such thing as "one or two." Alcoholics can't just have a drink or two. You may have good intentions, but once you start, you have to keep drinking.

"Eye openers." Needing a drink first thing in the morning is a sign of alcoholism.

Drinking for one. Drinking in secret (and hiding the evidence) is another indicator.

High tolerance. An alcoholic can drink an extraordinary number of drinks and still appear to function relatively normally.

Needing more and more. An alcoholic often ends up needing increasing amounts in order to achieve the "high."

Withdrawal symptoms. If you regularly experience nausea, sweating, shakiness, or anxiety when you stop after a period of heavy drinking, you are physically dependent on alcohol.

continue: Consequences of Alcoholism

top . pages 1 2 3 . send to friend . addictions site map

Reviewed: 03/2006