| Many people do not understand the facts about | | | | families that are broken because of alcohol abuse. |
| alcoholism. Knowing the facts may lead to a person | | | | Another term for alcoholism is alcohol dependence. |
| being ready to stop drinking. | | | | Alcoholism is a disease and there are four symptoms |
| What is alcoholism? When is it time to consider the | | | | associated with is. |
| choice to stop drinking? Once you have the answers | | | | A craving to drink is one symptom. This craving is a |
| to these questions it may be easier to understand the | | | | very strong need to drink. Another symptom of |
| problem and deal with it in a positive way. | | | | alcoholism is tolerance. This means that a person |
| There are all kinds of people who enjoy a drink from | | | | develop the need to drink more and more alcohol so |
| time to time with friends or in social settings. People | | | | that she can get "high." The third symptom of |
| sometimes drink at weddings, parties or other | | | | alcoholism is loss of control. |
| gatherings. | | | | When this happens a person becomes unable to limit |
| Unfortunately this type of drinking differs from the | | | | his drinking on any given occasion. The fourth |
| nearly 14 million Americans who are alcoholics. These | | | | symptom of alcoholism is physical dependence. When |
| numbers do not include the several million more adults | | | | alcohol is not used a person experiences withdrawal |
| who take part in drinking that can be harmful and lead | | | | symptoms like shakiness, nausea, sweating or anxiety. |
| to health problems. Binge drinking and heavy drinking on | | | | If these symptoms sound too familiar to you it may be |
| a regular basis arepart of these numbers. | | | | time to stop using alcohol and seek professional help. |
| As with other risky and dangerous habits, the misuse | | | | Many alcoholics feel they can do this by themselves |
| of alcohol can have very negative consequences. | | | | and there are people who have succeeded. Others |
| Some of these consequences are life threatening. | | | | have found professional help and support is much |
| When people engage in heavy drinking they are more | | | | more successful. |
| likely to be diagnosed with cancer of the liver, throat, | | | | There are people who can handle drinking and never |
| larynx or esophagus. Heavy drinking can also result in | | | | have any of the symptoms. They often do not |
| brain damage, cirrhosis of the liver, immune system | | | | understand why alcoholics can't use some willpower |
| problems and often causes problems for an unborn | | | | and kick the habit. Alcoholism has very little to do with |
| fetus. | | | | willpower. The craving for alcohol often can override |
| Drinking heavily is costly. It has been determined that | | | | the strongest amount of willpower. |
| alcohol-related problems cost our society at least $185 | | | | All kinds of people who suffer from alcoholism have |
| billion per year. Also consider the personal cost of | | | | been able to stop drinking. It can be difficult and painful |
| relationships that are ruined, jobs that are lost and | | | | to stop drinking but it is possible. |