Alcoholism

Alcohol is a drug. We sometimes forget this because it is so easily obtained and so socially acceptable.  Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug, and in reality, most drug abusers also abuse alcohol.  Because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, abuse has profound effects on respiration (breathing), and brain activity. Alcoholism damages not only the brain, but the liver, heart, pancreas, and even the body’s largest organ – the skin.

Alcoholism is a progressive disease.  This means that over time it gets worse.  Alcoholism does not mean the person drinks in the morning or every day  necessarily.  It simply means the person drinks alcohol to the point of intoxication on a regular basis, or binge drinks to the point of extreme intoxication one or two days a week.

Signs of alcoholism include:

Inability to stop drinking after one drink

Difficulty staying away from alcohol for extended periods of time

Life consequences (DUI, fights, job or school problems) due to alcohol

Others comment on your level of drinking or ask you to stop

Inability to remember periods of time while drinking

DUIs/DWIs

Cravings

You do not need to see all these signs to be an alcoholic. The best definition of alcoholism is that when you drink, it creates problems, yet you don’t stop drinking.

Alcoholism is treatable.  Many with alcoholism attend inpatient alcohol rehab to deal with their addiction.  Alcohol rehab is the same thing as drug rehab. Today most facilities refer to themselves as drug rehabs because polysubstance abuse is far more common these days.  Most alcoholics also abuse drugs such as Valium or Xanax for anxiety, or opiate painkillers such as OxyContin or Vicodin.