Alcoholism. What Should I Know About It?

What is addiction? Alcoholism is a disease that affects the part of the brain that controls your emotions, the way you make decisions and the way you act. Alcoholics can no longer control how much they drink. What causes alcoholism? No one knows the cause of alcoholism. People whose parents are alcoholics are more likely to get the disease. Addiction can be related to what we learn in childhood. Addiction is not caused by a lack of energy or moral values. How can I tell if I'm drunk? It's not easy to tell if you have alcohol. You may start to have fun at first, but over time your drinking may get out of hand. Your family, friends, or doctor may see you first. You can drink it to help you sleep or to deal with stress and anxiety. Over time, you need to drink more to feel the same way. As alcohol gets worse, you may have the following problems: * Stomach ulcers * Liver disease * Emotional problems, such as depression and irritability * Sleep problems * Problems with family and friends * Work problems. If you have tried to stop drinking but have not succeeded, you may be addicted to alcohol. Alcohol can force you to do things that you would not do if you were calm. Some of these things can hurt other people, even your loved ones. Where can I get help for alcohol? Your doctor can help you find the right treatment plan. You can also check with your health insurance company. Some insurance programs only cover alcohol treatment in certain areas. If you have been drinking for some time, do not stop drinking suddenly. This can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. What is a refund? If you stop drinking alcohol, your body may feel heavier without alcohol. You may have some uncomfortable feelings. This is called return. You may feel anxious and confused or you may have trouble falling asleep. If you are "shaken" by not drinking alcohol, or if you feel you need to drink early in the morning, you may need to take medication when you stop drinking to help with the withdrawal. This is called detoxification (somewhere: dee-tox-uh-fuh-kay-shun, or "detox" for short). How can my doctor tell me I need to get rid of toxins? Your doctor will ask you questions about whether you need to stop taking the medicine. It is important to be honest with your doctor about how much you are taking and what kind of medicine you are taking. Can I be detoxified at home? Yes, but only under the close supervision of a doctor will you need someone at home to help you take the medicine. If you have severe withdrawal symptoms or other medical problems, you may need to go to the hospital for detoxification. Tell your doctor if you have ever fainted or been confused while trying to stop drinking. What happened after eating poison? Detoxification is not enough to treat alcoholism. You should seek advice before and after detoxifying. Advice will help you avoid drinking again. What about Alcoholics Anonymous? Alcoholics Anonymous, or "AAAA people help each other stay intoxicated. AA meetings in many communities, and many alcohol treatment programs ask their patients to attend these meetings." Your doctor provides this information as a general opinion and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this information applies to you and to find out more about this topic, contact Talk to a family doctor.