Types of Addictions to Alcohol
Alcoholism is also referred to as "alcohol dependence." When a person feels like his life cannot go on without the consumption of alcohol, it´s time to seek treatment immediately, according to drug-addiction.com. There are numerous signs that tell when it's time for an addicted person to receive treatment quickly and effectively. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), says that four types of addictions are commonly noticed in alcoholics.
Other People Are Reading
-
Craving
-
When one is addicted to alcohol, that person experiences a high craving for it that is as strong as a craving for food and water. The person feels like they have to drink alcohol in order to feel satisfied or fulfilled. With social situations, job duties, relationships, sex and other activities, the person feels the need to consume alcohol before handling situations like these.
Loss of Control
-
Another sign of addiction is the lack of control over how many drinks the person consumes in any given situation. After the first drink is consumed, that person continues to consume more drinks than the body can handle, often ending in embarrassing situations, pain or suffering in a loved one, unintelligent decisions and harm to the body. Addictionrecoverybasics.com says that consuming a massive amount of alcohol can cause blackouts, which alcoholics will often later blame for inappropriate behavior.
-
Withdrawal
-
When a person becomes addicted, he experiences withdrawal symptoms when alcohol is not being consumed, usually in heavy doses. Withdrawal symptoms include shaking, sweating, vomiting, nausea, temper tantrums, anxiety, depression and physical damage to oneself or others. According to the NIAAA, with alcohol addiction comes the notion that one cannot socialize or even commit to daily functions without the consumption of alcohol.
Tolerance
-
A person addicted to alcohol has a dangerously high tolerance for it. With time, he will need to consume more and more of it in order to receive the "high" feeling that alcohol provides. The high tolerance levels go hand in hand with the loss of control. While desperately attempting to consume enough alcohol to release feelings of pleasure, an overdose can cause blackouts, damage to one's body or death.
Treatment
-
The NIAAA refers to alcoholism as a disease that needs to be treated in order to be overcome. Counseling and medications are usually used together to allow an alcoholic to release his addiction on alcohol. The condition is never cured completely, but can be kept at bay with proper treatment. Medications reduce cravings and dependence. The most common medicines are Antabuse, Depade, ReVia, Campral and Vivitrol. Common types of counseling include in-patient or out-patient centers, group counseling with other recovering alcoholics, meditation groups and church groups.
-
