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Alcoholism, The Occasional Drink Made a Habit

We are talking about alcohol abuse when a person turns an occasional drink into a habit, disregarding the frequency and the quantity. This seriously damages professional life and relationships or provokes problems with the law. Alcohol abuse is the first step to addiction. It is different for different persons, because every organism has its own ways to assimilate and deal with alcohol. The same quantity that does nothing to a person may represent abuse for another - 30% of the US adults face this problem.

Inability to give up alcohol means that addiction appeared, and it takes over you emotionally and physically. The signs of dependence are the constant need for a drink, the drinking out of other people's sight, or lying about the quantity. While alcoholism progresses, the quantity for needed alcohol will increase, and its absence will cause irritability, shaking and it will be difficult for you to give up without help.

A large amount of alcohol will damage the heart, the liver, will increase the blood pressure and produce strokes, gallstones, cancer or pancreatitis. Renunciation and abstinence will improve or give back your life.

In case of heavy, constant drinking among the family members or friends, a person has difficulties to realize whether he/she drinks too much. But it may turn into a habit. More alcohol means more risks of its dangerous consequences.

Diagnose for alcohol abuse

Alcohol abuse represents a branch of what is common known as substance abuse, and seriously inflicts on health, family and social life, and even life itself. The causes are various, starting from gene, entourage or emotional problems.

Medical background and physical exhaust are the most common methods for a doctor to determine whether a patient is abusing alcohol or addicted to it. But there are also other exams, such as mental health assessment.

Treatment

Withdrawal symptoms are the first to be treated, then another step is taken: methods for a person to remain sober. The first one are treated either by medication given by the doctor, for home, either by a time in the hospital until they disappear. For the second step, the treatment can be provided by a doctor, Alcoholics Anonymous, or any other group of support.

The first step to treatment is getting over the denial phase and admits the existence of a problem. Both abuse and addiction can be defeated, and a possible relapse shouldn't discourage you.

Signs of alcohol addiction:

• - You need a larger quantity of alcohol than before to obtain the same effect
• - The frequency of drinks increased and you drink more than you want to
• - A large amount of time is taken by drinking and recovering from the previous one
• - You are unable to stop or to reduce the quantity
• - Drinking replaced other activities you used to have
• - You ignore the problems that come with alcohol, although you are aware of them
• - You shake, sweat or experience insomnia, unless you have a drink