WHAT IS ALCOHOLISM 

Alcoholism describes a strong and uncontrollable desire to drink. Addicts will often place drinking above all including their work and family priorities and shall usually build up a physical tolerance .They experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop. This pattern is slightly different than ‘harmful drinking’ which occasionally results in  pattern of drinking that potentially damages your health. E.g. drinking too much at a party, falling into an argument. But if that kind of harmful drinking becomes a habit on a regular basis, it turns into alcoholism. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOLISM 

Alcoholics can be extremely secretive about the habit  and might become angry if confronted. However, following observations help: 

• lack of interest in everyday activities 

• appearing intoxicated most often

• aspiring to drink more  and more 

• tiredness, looking unwell or irritable

• inability to abstain from alcohol

• anxiety, depression and other mental health issues

• display of secretive or dishonest behavior

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

Diagnosis: The first step of treating alcoholism is acknowledging it as a problem. Second step is to seek help from a healthcare professional. Medically, alcoholism is diagnosed  based upon the various symptoms above present together along with sticking to alcohol despite fully knowing its harmful consequences

Treatment: Though, there are various treatments available for de-addiction , key stage of treatment is the detoxification that involves stopping drinking completely and absolutely .This is the period when a person may experience extreme withdrawal symptoms. 

The treatment includes psychological and psychosocial intervention  involving counseling that helps understand and change the alcoholic’s perspective  towards drinking. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) too can be offered to help change negative thought patterns that result in drinking. In addition, medications can also prevent relapse for some people trying to abstain, or reduce their drinking