Is the Disease Alcoholism Preventable?

Alcoholism is not simply a tendency to overindulge in alcoholic beverages. It is a chronic disease in which your body becomes dependent on alcohol, often making you obsessed with it and unable to control how much you drink. Drinking excessively, but not being dependent on alcohol, is classified as alcohol abuse, not alcoholism, as you haven't fully lost control over alcohol. Alcoholism is treatable and can be prevented if you know the warning signs.

Significance

• One does not develop alcoholism overnight. It is a gradual process, in which the alcohol actually changes the levels of certain chemicals in your brain. The two chemicals most often affected are --gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which stops impulsive actions, and dopamine, a chemical linked to feelings of pleasure. As the alcohol changes the levels of these two chemicals, you will begin to crave alcohol in order to make yourself feel good.

Symptoms

• There is a difference between alcoholism and alcohol abuse. In both instances, the person will drink large quantities of alcohol, but someone suffering from alcoholism will feel actual physical urges in regards to drinking, such as cravings, physical dependence and increasing tolerance to alcohol. Other symptoms of an alcoholic include using alcohol to deal with everyday situations, such as to relax or socialize, and hiding the amount of alcohol consumed.

Causes & Risk Factors

• There are certain factors that tend to contribute to the development of alcohol addiction. An obvious cause of alcoholism is regular drinking, which can increase your chances of becoming dependent. Your family history may predispose you to alcoholism, as having an alcoholic parent can leave you vulnerable to becoming addicted yourself. Other factors include your emotional state, psychological factors and society's portrayal of alcohol as glamorous and fun.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosing alcoholism involves extensive interviewing of the patient, as well as possible interviews with his or her family and friends. In order to be diagnosed with alcoholism, certain criteria must be met, as laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association. These criteria include your tolerance of alcohol, any withdrawal symptoms observed when drinking is decreased and continuing to use alcohol even if you recognize that it is becoming a harmful element in your life.

Treatments

• It may be cliche, but it's true--the first step to getting effective treatment for alcoholism is recognizing and admitting you have a problem in the first place. Alcoholism treatment involves dealing with both the physical and psychological dependence that has developed, including attending regular meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and staying active to help reduce cravings. Depending upon the severity of your alcohol dependence, your doctor may prescribe medications in order to help with the withdrawal your body will experience when its alcohol supply has been severed.

Prevention/Solution

• Since alcoholism is a gradually developing disease, there is a chance at preventing full-blown addiction. The first step in preventing an addiction from forming is to know the warning signs, such as the aforementioned family history, and take precautions to avoid following the same path. Identifying signs such as increased and frequent alcohol consumption, mood changes and defensive and secretive behavior may also be signs of an increasing dependence on alcohol.