Alcoholics don’t have self control and they have an irresistible urge to consume alcohol. You may call it as a condition. The exact term to describe their condition is ‘alcohol abuse’.
Alcoholism
What exactly alcoholism? My friend has consumed alcohol one or two occasions in his life. Another friend even now drinks once in a month. Do you wish to call them as alcoholic? No! The former has consumed alcohol and stopped now and latter is still consuming with self control.
Alcoholics don’t have self control and they have an irresistible urge to consume alcohol. You may call it as a condition. The exact term to describe their condition is “alcohol abuse.” When people consume alcohol in larger doses of alcohol than their acceptable body limits, then you may call them as alcoholics. Of course they are abusing alcohol. The lack of self control and an irresistible urge towards alcohol will definitely lead them towards this pathetic condition or you may call it as a disease. As the condition advances they are loosing their mental equilibrium and become physically weak. They are termed as alcohol addicts. You may very well call them as alcoholics.
Alcoholism is considered as a social evil in India. Both our society and religions consider alcoholism or abuse of alcohol as a taboo. The saints, national leaders, elders showed determination in eliminating alcoholism. The Indian government has enforced statutory measures to exercise control in alcoholism.
Causes
What could be the causes of alcoholism? If an individual looses emotional balance due to tussled relationship (love failure, divorce, adultery, impotency, family quarrel etc.), loss of dear and near, loss of money, property assets, suffering from chronic illness, psychological problems etc, he consumes alcohol to divert his attention.
How alcohol changes the behavior of an alcoholic? His condition is becoming more and more pathetic. You can easily notice the trembling limbs. He will remain restless. He cannot talk steadily. If he gets an irresistible urge to drink and in case if he is not getting his alcohol quota he will become wild. Some may abuse and some other may trouble family members. At times they may realize their condition. Slowly they will become a burden to the self and family.
Alcoholics show lot of physical symptoms due to alcoholism. Their heart beat becomes abnormal. They are becoming weak; reddened eyes, swollen face with hard and rough voice. Some may show breathing problems. Their appetite may not be proper and they may suffer from digestive disorders. Most of them will vomit the content. They will always have headache, body pain, stomach ache and chest pain.
Save the Alcoholics from alcohol abuse
Alcoholism is only a condition. The alcoholics have become addicts without knowing the evil after effects. Now they cannot exercise self control and bring down the dosages. Don’t keep advising them or abusing them. They have crossed level of listening to your advices or abuses. This may increase their stress.
Have sympathy on alcoholics and treat them with compassion. Keep him in proper rest. If possible engage him to do some physical activities that may make him tired and also make him to forget alcohol for a while. You can provide tender coconut water which may reconstruct the lost electrolytes. Otherwise give him citrus fruit juices (even lemon juice is sufficient). Provide him mild and healthy diet.
Find out the reason that made him to drink. Make him to think positively. Tell him that the reason is trivial and negligible. Make him to understand that things have changed. Just make him to understand his importance. Let him not feel guilty. Ensure the support of family and friends. Above all keep him away from alcohol as well as alcoholic environment and friendship.
Counseling
Have an open session with the alcoholic. Listen to him. Allow him to talk. Tell him about the dangers of alcohol. Strongly urge the alcoholic to stop drinking. Make him to understand the importance of his self and the dependence of his family over him for their bright future. Have few sittings at regular intervals. Keep observing him and if he shows aggressive behavior, anger or depression, just repeat counseling. Encourage him to become active in his career or job or business or any other useful activities.
De-addiction and Treatment
The successful treatment lies in making the alcoholic to understand that he has lost self control i.e. alcohol abuse. Just he must recognize his root cause problem problem. What is most important is that his family members and close friends should make him understand that the root cause problem is lying within his control and if he believes and is willing to overcome, he can overcome this problem very soon.
There must be comprehensive treatment approach. Counseling and motivation should be part of the treatment. There are support groups providing psychotherapy i.e. Alcoholics Anonymous (or some other support groups). There are NGO rehabilitation programs i.e. outpatient and inpatient or community de-addiction camps are conducted by these support groups. Currently, effective medications exist for alcohol abuse i.e. Benzodiazepine antagonists have been developed.
Reference:
- Alcohol Addiction Threats http://deaddictioncentres.in/glossary/alcohol/
- Alcohol abuse – what you need to know http://health.india.com/diseases-conditions/alcohol-abuse-what-you-need-to-know/
- Alcohol in India in Endodest http://cms.mumbaimirror.com/portalfiles/34/9/201105/Image/564.jpg
- Alcoholism. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholism
- Alcoholism in The Free Dictionary http://www.thefreedictionary.com/alcoholism
- Discovery Health "Yoga Pictures" health.howstuffworks.com http://r.ddmcdn.com/w_622/u_0/gif/yoga-rehab.jpg
- How alcoholism is creating a socio-economic problem in India in Health Care in India http://www.healthcare-in-india.net/public-health-2/how-alcoholism-is-creating-a-socio-economic-problem-in-india/
- What Is An Alcoholic? What Is Alcoholism? http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157163.php
This article was published in Healthmad on October 14th, 2008 http://healthmad.com/addiction/alcoholic-abuse-and-rehabilitation/#ixzz2p1nkcDU0
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