What Is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is considered alcohol addiction, the acquisition of both physical and psychological dependence on the consumption of spirituous beverages generated due to the acquisition of tolerance towards its consumption. The body needs larger amounts of a substance to notice the same effects.
control over consumption
Alcoholism consumption
At the same time, its absence generates powerful symptoms typical of a withdrawal syndrome, such as dysphoria, agitation, convulsions, and other types of disturbance.
It is consumed so that much time is invested in obtaining alcohol or other relevant activities, or areas of life are neglected or impaired.
We are facing a situation in which the subject loses control over consumption, which is much greater than what would be intended and taking place despite the knowledge of possible aversive consequences for him and his environment.
consumption
The uncontrolled and frequent consumption of alcohol can have dramatic consequences, generating cirrhosis of the liver, fatty liver, or even kidney dysfunction.
damage organs
The damage to these organs can be irreversible and lead to the need for a transplant or even death due to the destruction of said tissues.
Alcoholism
The alcoholic is frequently intoxicated, with blackouts and loss of consciousness common. The subject can sometimes reach an ethylic coma or death from cardiorespiratory arrest.
However, it is frequent that there is a desire to cease consumption, and one or more attempts may have been made in this regard (unsuccessful). Despite this, they often deny the existence of a dependency.
Behavior is also altered, ranging from aggressiveness to extreme passivity, and it is not uncommon for risky behaviors to be carried out while intoxicated.
Socially they can suffer the abandonment of their environment or generate great suffering for those around them.
How to help a person with alcoholism
Alcohol consumption is a socially accepted phenomenon that has been part of many cultures since ancient times.
However, many people consume excessive and prolonged alcohol over time and become dependent on this substance: we are talking about alcohol dependence or alcoholism.
This situation has serious repercussions for the subject, generating serious health problems or even leading to death.
It is about something dramatic that many families observe in one of their members not knowing how to act.
Avoid exposure to stimuli that trigger the drinking response
Human beings are used to doing certain things in certain places.
Although it is possible to drink anywhere, preventing the alcoholic from exposing himself to situations or environments facilitating consumption is very useful.
For example, bars, discos, or parties are environments where the consumption of alcoholic beverages is common.
stop drinking
Also, do not drink in front of her either. It would make the subject think of alcohol and simultaneously send a contradictory message: I was hoping you could stop drinking, but I do drink.
Please take into account the possible role we play in addiction.
We have an example in the above blaming, abuse or abandonment situations, or excessive paternalism.
Generally, when we talk about alcoholism, we think of the subject in question as the one who has the problem.
However, sometimes the environment favors or has some role that makes it easier for the subject to resort to consumption.
Go to professionals.
Alcoholism is a serious chronic disorder whose existence can endanger the sufferer’s life. That is why it is essential to go to some professional to treat the different elements that condition and maintain alcohol consumption. In extreme cases, it can be very useful to go to a detoxification center (in some cases, it could even be required at the judicial level, although it is advisable to make them understand the need to go).
In this sense, it is advisable to take an interest in and actively participate in therapy to learn to relate to the subject and the symptom, acquire guidelines for action, and provide social support to get out of a situation that lasts. Making the subject reflect and motivate for change is also very useful.