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What is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol
dependence, is a disease that includes the following four
symptoms:
- Craving--A
strong need, or urge, to drink.
- Loss of control--Not
being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun.
- Physical dependence--Withdrawal
symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety
after stopping drinking.
- Tolerance--The
need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get "high."
Is Alcoholism a Disease?
Yes, alcoholism is a disease. The craving that an alcoholic
feels for alcohol can be as strong as the need for food or
water. An alcoholic will continue to drink despite serious
family, health, or legal problems.
Is Alcoholism Inherited?
Research shows that the risk for developing alcoholism does
indeed run in families. The genes a person inherits partially
explain this pattern, but lifestyle is also a factor. Currently,
researchers are working to discover the actual genes that
put people at risk for alcoholism. Your friends, the amount
of stress in your life, and how readily available alcohol
is also are factors that may increase your risk for alcoholism.
Can Alcoholism Be Cured?
No, alcoholism cannot be cured at this time. Even if an
alcoholic hasn't been drinking for a long time, he or she
can still suffer a relapse. To guard against a relapse, an
alcoholic must continue to avoid all alcoholic beverages.
Can Alcoholism Be Treated?
Yes, alcoholism can be treated. Alcoholism treatment programs
use both counseling and medications to help a person stop
drinking. Most alcoholics need help to recover from their
disease. With support and treatment, many people are able
to stop drinking and rebuild their lives.
Which Medications Treat Alcoholism?
A range of medications is used to treat alcoholism. Benzodiazepines
(Valium® , Librium®) are sometimes used during the
first days after a person stops drinking to help him or her
safely withdraw from alcohol. These medications are not used
beyond the first few days, however, because they may be highly
addictive. Other medications help people remain sober. One
medication used for this purpose is naltrexone (ReVia™).
When combined with counseling naltrexone can reduce the craving
for alcohol and help prevent a person from returning, or
relapsing, to heavy drinking. Another medication, disulfiram
(Antabuse®), discourages drinking by making the person
feel sick if he or she drinks alcohol.
Does Alcoholism Treatment Work?
Alcoholism treatment works for many people. But just like
any chronic disease, there are varying levels of success
when it comes to treatment. Some people stop drinking and
remain sober. Others have long periods of sobriety with bouts
of relapse. And still others cannot stop drinking for any
length of time. With treatment, one thing is clear, however:
the longer a person abstains from alcohol, the more likely
he or she will be able to stay sober.
Do You Have to Be an Alcoholic to Experience Problems?
No. Alcoholism is only one type of an alcohol problem. Alcohol
abuse can be just as harmful. A person can abuse alcohol
without actually being an alcoholic--that is, he or she may
drink too much and too often but still not be dependent on
alcohol. Some of the problems linked to alcohol abuse include
not being able to meet work, school, or family responsibilities;
drunk-driving arrests and car crashes; and drinking-related
medical conditions. Under some circumstances, even social
or moderate drinking is dangerous--for example, when driving,
during pregnancy, or when taking certain medications.
How Can a Person Get Help for an Alcohol Problem?
There are many national and local resources that can help.
The National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing
Service provides a toll-free telephone number, 1-800-662-HELP
(4357), offering various resource information. Through this
service you can speak directly to a representative concerning
substance abuse treatment, request printed material on alcohol
or other drugs, or obtain local substance abuse treatment
referral information in your State.
To read the rest of this series of Questions and Answers
from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism,
and to find other relevant articles, please click here: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/FAQs/General-English/
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