Alcoholism is a Chronic
& Often
Progressive Disease
Alcoholism is also known as alcohol dependence; a disease that includes the following four symptoms:
1. Craving - A strong need, or urge, to
drink; preoccupation with alcohol.
2. Loss of Control - Not able to stop
drinking once drinking begins.
3. Physical Dependence - Withdrawal
symptoms; nausea, sweating, shakiness,
anxiety, after drinking stops.
4. Tolerance - The need to drink
more alcohol to get the same effect.
An alcoholic's craving for alcohol
can be as strong as the need
for food or water.
Despite serious family health
or legal issues, an alcoholic will
continue to drink.
Alcoholism lasts a lifetime.
The risk for developing alcoholism is influenced by a person's genes, lifestyle, and even friends.
But Remember:
Just because alcoholism may run in a family does not mean that a child of an alcoholic parent will automatically become an alcoholic. Some people develop alcoholism when no one in their family has a drinking problem.
If you want to find out if you or a loved one has a drinking problem, answer the following four quesitons:
1. Have you ever felt you should cut down
on your drinking?
2. Have people annoyed you by criticizing
your drinking?
3. Have you ever felt bad or guilty about
your drinking?
4. Have you drank in the morning to
steady your nerves or get rid of a
hangover?
Answering yes to ONE of the above quesionts suggests a possible alcohol problem.
Answering yes to MORE THAN ONE question means it is likely a problem exists.
