By Shruti Kulkarni

Causes of alcoholism cannot be defined in one word or stated in one reason. Some studies say it is situational while some say it is a habit picked up from friends or family members or due to social and environmental factors. It is often interpreted as being hereditary. Like in a high society, to maintain the status you need to drink and that continues and becomes a habit. A person who has family problems and feels the lack of moral support consumes alcohol. An individual who keeps drinking large amount of alcohol for a long period is termed alcoholic.

Studies note that children who have alcoholic biological parents, are themselves alcoholic too. Other case is when the father is alcoholic, the son tends to follow and become alcoholic. In yet another case, by merely giving company to the father, the son ends up as an alcoholic.

A person under stress starts drinking for mental relief followed by drinking every time he has a small problem. This is how he becomes alcoholic. Many people drink to escape the insult and shame they have to face over a loss. Likewise, disappointment, insecurity, and loss of job all lead to consumption of alcohol. At home, such people have an excuse to start drinking the moment they get a fine opportunity. Even with friends out side, they will always promise by uttering the famous statement ‘From tomorrow onwards I will not drink’ which is never true.

Alcoholism is just like diabetes. It happens without the person’s knowledge but both can be cured and kept under control with patience and follow up to be done regularly.

Alcoholism causes:

Alcoholism is a disease in which the person keeps drinking all the time.

Symptoms

• The early sign of alcoholism is drinking without other’s knowledge.

• Loosing memory when being drunk.

• Loss of control in anything.

• Irritable mood or loss of temper.

• Dependency on alcohol if anything frustrating happens before the eye.

• Loss of interest in anything.

• Sign of liver disease.

• Shivering hands.

• Loss of appetite like many symptoms but here are very common.

Problems individuals face due to alcoholism

People who consume alcohol spoil their life and lose respect in their family besides getting into trouble. Due to the hangover, they are not able to go to office properly. Due to this, their career and job is at risk. One more thing generally happens after drinking too much is that they may meet with an accident some day only to find themselves paralyzed in bed for the rest of their life.

Treatment:

First the person need to know the causes of alcoholism. Like any other disease, alcoholism can be treated. However, it requires lot of tolerance. If alcohol consumers wish to be like any respectful person, they need to stop drinking first. Vomiting, lack of sleep and irritability might occur for few days. So they have to be seen by a doctor who will suggest some sedation. And also counseling is important which in due course makes the alcoholic realize his situation.

There are as many symptoms associated with severe drinking. These symptoms of alcoholism give different results which vary from person to person and are really crucial in understanding the severity of the problem caused by alcoholism. Following are the alcoholism symptoms:

• Due to higher consumption of alcohol, the drinker starts avoiding social gatherings and activities like recreational ones

• The drink will increase the frequency and will result in higher amount of alcohol intake.

• Drinker would lose grip over drinking and would never be able to say no to alcohol.

• Even after knowing the ill effects of alcohol on the body, the drinker would keep drinking continuously.

• He / She is most likely to enjoy outings or parties where drinks will be offered.

• The drinker would love to drink more often along and try to hide alcohol in unknown places in the hidden corners of the room.

• When the drinker tries to stop drinking, he/she will show common symptoms of alcoholism like nausea, excessive sweating and even the body will start shaking a bit.

• The drinker will never be satisfied with meager quantity of alcohol as his body has developed the higher tolerance level for alcohol over a period of time due to excessive regular intake.

No doubt all these indications are dangerous for both the mind and the body and may prove fatal. It is recommended drinkers think about finding ways to resolve rather than ignore such problems. Here are some of the physical alcoholism symptoms:

• Higher tolerance level in the drinker’s body for alcohol is one of the best symptoms of alcoholism.

• Abdominal pain could prompt you to look for ways.

• You will see that the drinker will feel sick and will vomit frequently.

• Liver problems can be felt by the drinker, specifically liver swelling.

• Sometimes the drinker will free the presence of numbness in his / her arms.

It is advisable the family members and friends keep an eye on the regular drinker as these symptoms can be highly identified and even the drinker can be able to find out these symptoms easily. This is the initial step to start with the process of treatment. It is not only about physical problems but mental problems can also arise due to heavy drinking. Frequent anxiety, too much of depression, severe irritability and other disorders during sleep are some of the mental symptoms of alcoholism.

There is a need to be very vigilant on the activities of the serious drinker because you will notice lots of signs of alcoholism and if necessary steps are not taken, it may prove causing death for the drinker. Hangover feeling after getting up in the morning and asking for drink itself are serious symptoms of alcoholism. You need to keep asking why the drinker is drinking so much. Should that be due to stress, have healthy discussion to keep the drinker stress free. It is ultimately determination on the part of drinker to quit the drinking habit which is very important.