| The alcohol addiction counselling that is available today | | | | consumed is a key symptom of alcoholism. |
| is much further advanced than the primitive approach | | | | There is a saying which says "one is too many and a |
| used previously for treating alcohol addiction. | | | | thousand is never enough." This could not be truer for |
| Alcohol addiction has existed for many years and is | | | | an alcoholic. Usually the alcoholic will have some form |
| widely known as "alcoholism". Drinking, occasional | | | | of control if they are completely abstinent from alcohol |
| overindulgence and getting a little 'merry' is nothing new, | | | | or any other mind or mood altering substances. |
| but most individuals do not take their drinking to the | | | | However, once one drink is consumed, all control is lost |
| level of alcoholism. Those that do however, frequently | | | | and what was intended to be an innocent drink turns |
| see their lives falling apart and, all too often, find | | | | into a binge lasting weeks, even months and years. |
| themselves in an early grave. | | | | The main symptoms of alcohol addiction are obviously |
| Until the establishment of Alcoholics Anonymous, a | | | | a vast consumption of alcohol, especially at strange |
| non-profit fellowship of recovering alcoholics trying to | | | | times of day and at inappropriate times. An alcoholic |
| stay sober one day at a time, there was not much | | | | who has reached full mental and physical dependence |
| hope for those in the grips of severe alcoholism. | | | | will suffer from DT's when without a drink. Morning |
| Most alcoholics were bundled off to mental institutions | | | | tremors are a big sign of a problem and are usually |
| to go through delusion tremors (DTs) - a dangerous | | | | followed by a drink or many to stop the shaking and |
| state which the body goes into during alcohol | | | | hysteria, allowing the alcoholic to function on a minimal |
| withdrawal - or forced into religion as a cure for their | | | | level. Secretive drinking, lying about consumption and |
| problem. Yet none of these 'cures' helped. As soon as | | | | extremely unreliable behaviour are also key warning |
| the alcoholic would leave the institution or be alone, | | | | signs that someone may be an alcoholic. Individuals |
| even for the shortest while, their return to drinking | | | | may be prone to major depression, violence and |
| would be quick and imminent. | | | | extremely unstable behaviour accompanied by huge |
| Alcoholism as a Disease | | | | character changes. |
| Thankfully, a lot more is understood about alcoholism in | | | | The Treatment Options |
| the present day. Although some specialists differ in | | | | Treating alcohol addiction should not only deal with the |
| schools of thought, it is widely believed to be an | | | | symptoms, i.e. the drinking. The drinking is not the root |
| incurable disease that can be helped by alcohol | | | | problem. It is a symptom. The problem sits within the |
| addiction counselling. | | | | alcoholic themselves, not in the alcohol. |
| The disease is said to be progressive and fatal, yet | | | | Rehabilitation centres are a good place for an alcoholic |
| can be arrested if the alcoholic ceases to drink and | | | | to receive treatment, provided they offer individual |
| remains abstinent. Because of the disease of | | | | therapy, group therapy and a programme of recovery |
| alcoholism, an alcoholic cannot stop through their own | | | | so that the alcoholic may remain abstinent when they |
| will, even when their only wish is be abstinent. | | | | leave. |
| However, it is possible for someone without the | | | | Many treatment centres encourage patients to work a |
| disease to act in a way where their alcohol | | | | twelve step programme, such as the one offered by |
| consumption is too much over a long period, but they | | | | Alcoholics Anonymous. This programme offers a daily |
| are able to stop when they feel that enough is enough. | | | | programme of recovery based on working the twelve |
| The alcoholic cannot. Many people resort to alcohol to | | | | steps. The twelve steps encourage spirituality, not |
| 'drown' their sorrows, but it is only the alcoholic who will | | | | religion. The twelve step programme's main |
| carry on for years possibly and will only be able to | | | | foundations are staying sober one day at a time, |
| stop through getting necessary help. | | | | attending meetings, working with a sponsor (a more |
| Some believe that people are born alcoholics and that | | | | experienced member of the fellowship), service, |
| once the first drink is consumed, they begin the slide | | | | literature and trusting in a higher power. |
| down the slippery slope descending into alcoholism. | | | | Another key aspect of recovery is a healthy body. |
| Many ask "how does one catch the disease of | | | | Proper diet and regular exercise is very important to a |
| alcoholism?" No one can be sure, some say that it is | | | | recovering alcoholic's well being. After years of |
| hereditary and genetic, some say that it is appropriated | | | | incredibly unhealthy habits and brutal treatment of their |
| through childhood problems, some say that it is a | | | | bodies, an alcoholic will feel great improvements in |
| combination of the two. | | | | mood and overall well being. |
| The Symptoms of Alcoholism | | | | If an alcoholic can stop drinking, that is the first step |
| The symptoms of alcoholism vary according to the | | | | towards recovery and abstinence. However, stopping |
| stage to which the alcoholic has progressed. Some | | | | drinking is just the start to arresting this cunning and |
| alcoholics may not have progressed to the stage of | | | | powerful disease. |
| needing to drink in the morning or to steal to fund their | | | | Alcoholism can be fatal if not addressed and will get |
| habit. But never the less, if the disease is present, they | | | | progressively worse. Alcohol addiction counselling, |
| are a ticking time bomb. | | | | therapy, healthy living and a programme of recovery |
| A person who plans to have one drink and eventually | | | | are the best chance an alcoholic has of recovering. |
| drinks ten in one night is not necessarily an alcoholic, | | | | However, at the end of the day, it is the alcoholic's |
| although this is a major symptom. The inability to have | | | | choice to recover and follow these steps to recovery. |
| control over one's drinking once one drink has been | | | | |