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cont. from
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease that includes the
following four symptoms:
- Craving--A strong need, or urge, to drink.
- Loss of control--Not being able to
stop drinking once drinking has begun.
- Physical dependence--Withdrawal symptoms,
such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking.
- Tolerance--The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get "high."
For clinical and research purposes, formal diagnostic criteria for alcoholism
also have been developed. Such criteria are included in the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, published by the
American Psychiatric Association, as well as in the International Classification
Diseases, published by the World Health Organization.
Yes, alcoholism is a disease. The craving that an alcoholic feels for alcohol
can be as strong as the need for food or water. An alcoholic will continue to
drink despite serious family, health, or legal problems.
Like many other diseases, alcoholism is chronic, meaning that it lasts a
person's lifetime; it usually follows a predictable course; and it has symptoms.
The risk for developing alcoholism is influenced both by a person's genes and by
his or her lifestyle. (back to faqs)
Research shows that the risk for
developing alcoholism does indeed run in
families. The genes a person inherits partially explain this pattern, but
lifestyle is also a factor. Currently, researchers are working to discover the
actual genes that put people at risk for alcoholism. Your friends, the amount of
stress in your life, and how readily available alcohol is also are factors that
may increase your risk for alcoholism.
But remember: Risk is not destiny. Just because alcoholism tends to run in
families doesn't mean that a child of an alcoholic parent will automatically
become an alcoholic too. Some people develop alcoholism even though no one in
their family has a drinking problem. By the same token, not all children of
alcoholic families get into trouble with alcohol. Knowing you are at risk is
important, though, because then you can take steps to protect yourself from
developing problems with alcohol. (back to faqs)
No, alcoholism cannot be cured at this time. Even if an alcoholic hasn't been
drinking for a long time, he or she can still suffer a relapse. To guard against
a relapse, an alcoholic must continue to avoid all alcoholic beverages. (back
to faqs)
Yes, alcoholism can be treated. Alcoholism treatment programs use both
counseling and medications to help a person stop drinking. Most alcoholics need
help to recover from their disease. With support and treatment, many people are
able to stop drinking and rebuild their lives. (back
to faqs)
A range of medications is used to treat alcoholism. Benzodiazepines (Valium®
, Librium®) are sometimes used during the first days after a person stops
drinking to help him or her safely withdraw from alcohol. These medications are
not used beyond the first few days, however, because they may be highly
addictive. Other medications help people remain sober. One medication used for
this purpose is naltrexone (ReVia™). When combined with counseling naltrexone
can reduce the craving for alcohol and help prevent a person from returning, or
relapsing, to heavy drinking. Another medication,
disulfiram (Antabuse®),
discourages drinking by making the person feel sick if he or she drinks alcohol.
Though several medications help treat alcoholism, there is no "magic bullet."
In other words, no single medication is available that works in every case
and/or in every person. Developing new and more effective medications to treat
alcoholism remains a high priority for researchers. (back
to faqs)
Alcoholism treatment works for many people. But just like any chronic
disease, there are varying levels of success when it comes to treatment. Some
people stop drinking and remain sober. Others have long periods of sobriety with
bouts of relapse. And still others cannot stop drinking for any length of time.
With treatment, one thing is clear, however: the longer a person abstains from
alcohol, the more likely he or she will be able to stay sober. (back
to faqs)
continue: Groups At
Risk for Alcoholism and Helping An Unwilling Alcoholic
top .
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Reviewed: 03/2006
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