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World Health Organization estimates that 140 million people throughout the world suffer from alcoholism. Other studies find that approximately 18 million Americans are alcohol dependent.

Let’s take a look at the criteria for alcohol dependence. According to the DSM-IV (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), the alcohol dependent person must behave the following:

– Tolerance (you need more alcohol to achieve intoxication, or you get less effect using the same amount)
– Withdrawal (you experience symptoms of withdrawal and/or you drink to avoid withdrawal symptoms)
– Alcohol is consumed in larger amounts, or over a longer period of time, than was intended
– A persistent desire or unsuccessful effort to cut down or control use
– A great deal of time spent in activities necessary to obtain, use, or recover from the effects of alcohol
– Important social, occupational or recreational activities are given up, or reduced, because of alcohol
– You keep drinking despite ongoing physical or psychological problems

Some alcoholic patients claim that they do not drink daily though freely admit to binge usage. However, they continue to return to binge drinking, which may have severe consequences.

Let’s be clear: alcohol dependence is an addiction. The person suffering from alcoholism usually becomes preoccupied with drinking, unable to control the amount of beer, wine or liquor he drinks, or how often he drinks, despite the physical, mental and legal risks involved in alcohol consumption.

What causes alcoholism?

Most experts believe that alcoholism is caused by any number of factors, including social environment, stress, emotional health and genetic predisposition.

With regard to the latter, some studies hold that 9% of the general population is predisposed to alcoholism based on genetic factors. Studies have also shown that children who are born to alcoholic parents are four times more likely to become alcoholics than children who are not from alcoholic backgrounds.

What are some common effects of alcohol dependence?

Alcohol dependence is known to affect the gastrointestinal system, sleep cycle, liver, heart, pancreas, blood, and/or nervous system, and potentially result in epilepsy, polyneuropathy, alcoholic dementia, increased chance of cancer, nutritional deficiencies, sexual dysfunction, and harm to the reproductive system (women who drink while pregnant run the risk of producing babies who suffer from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome).

Other signs of alcohol dependence may include:

– Broken capillaries (small blood vessels) on the face
– Raspy voice
– Trembling hands
– Chronic diarrhea
– Enlarged veins just under the skin around the navel
– Fluid in the abdomen
– A yellowish tone to the skin
– Decreased testicle size
– Poor nutritional health

Severe cognitive problems are not uncommon in alcoholics. Approximately 10% of all dementia cases are alcohol-related, making alcohol the second leading cause of dementia.

Alcoholics may also suffer from co-occurring psychiatric disorders, especially anxiety and depression disorders, with as many as 25% of alcoholics presenting with severe psychiatric disturbances.

Patients who suffer from both alcoholism and a psychiatric disorder are referred to as “dual diagnosis patients.” Alcoholism treatment is one of the most common programs in rehabilitation facilities. How is alcoholism treated?

The first phase of alcohol treatment is detoxification, during which the patient is abstinent while harmful chemicals are removed from their system. It is vital that the alcoholic detox with the help of a reputable, licensed clinic or physician. The detox process may take between 4-7 days, during which the patient may be prescribed specific medications to address, or prevent, delirium tremens (the “DTs,” which may result in uncontrollable shaking, panic attacks, and hallucinations), and/or other withdrawal symptoms, including seizures.

The patient will be medically assessed, monitored, and if necessary, treated for high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, liver problems, and heart disease, all of which are frequently found in alcohol-dependent patients. How long, and how much alcohol the patient has been drinking, will dictate the ease and success of the withdrawal process.

After detox, it is advised that the patient seek a minimum 30 day stay at a treatment of good standing center, such as Alcohol Treatment Dallas where they actively participate in group and behavioral therapies in order to help them remain sober and reduce any psychological effects remaining from the addiction.

As for psychological treatment program, patients will participate with groups around relapse prevention, relapse management, stress reduction, anger management, and medications. They are taught about their drinking triggers, offered substitute behaviors as well as anxiety disorder treatment.

Medications

Addiction psychiatrists are well-versed in prescribing medications to address underlying psychiatric disorders, as well as medications that specifically address alcoholism, including Antabuse, Naltrexone, Vivitrol, Campral, and Topomax.

Antabuse may be a deterrent to drinking. While it will not cure alcoholism or remove the compulsion to drink, it will produce flushing, nausea, vomiting and headaches if the patient does in fact drink.

Naltrexone reduces the urge to drink, blocking the high provided by alcohol. It is used after the patient has stopped drinking, and works by by decreasing the craving for alcohol. Naltrexone usually has no psychological effects. Patients do not feel high or low while taking it. Furthermore, it is not addicting.

Vivitrol, a version of Naltrexone, is injected in the buttocks once a month by a health care professional. It may reduce the urge to drink by blocking neurotransmitters in the brain thought to be associated with alcohol dependence.

Campral is an anti-craving medication that may help the patient to combat alcohol cravings and remain abstinent from alcohol. It is the first new medication approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence in a decade. helps reduce the physical distress and emotional discomfort (e.g., sweating, anxiety, sleep disturbances) associated with remaining alcohol-free.

Topamax has been found effective in helping alcoholics quit, or cut back, on the amount they drink. In one study, heavy drinkers were six times more likely to remain abstinent for a month if they took the medication, even in small doses. In another study, those who received Topomax had fewer heavy drinking days, fewer drinks per day and more days of continuous abstinence than those who received the placebo. Topamax works by reducing the brain chemical dopamine so that drinkers no longer get any pleasure from consuming alcohol.

Alcoholism is a family disease

An alcoholic affects all family members. The patient may lie and steal from other family members, miss important dates, anniversaries, and appointments, disappoint spouses, parents, siblings, and other relatives, or otherwise cause their loved ones stress and anguish.

What to do, if your husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, or grandchild suffers from alcoholism?

First and foremost, you must take care of yourself. Attend an Al-Anon meeting, make an appointment with a drug and alcohol counselor or psychotherapist, and/or join a support group.

Second, if the patient is unwilling to get help, give thought to hiring a professional to perform an intervention. Qualified people with experience in this area are available to assist you. We will be able to provide you with appropriate referrals, if you like.

The interventionist will guide the process, helping you put the intervention together and directing its timing. The interventionist will also make arrangements for the patient to admit into a reputable treatment center at the conclusion of the process.

Third, take it easy on yourself. Do not blame yourself for your loved one’s disease. Alcoholism happens. Self-blame will not make it any better, and in fact, will make the situation worse.

Take positive and effective actions. Do your best to assist your loved one with the problem, and if necessary, hire a professional to get involved. But do not blame yourself for your loved one’s disease. You wouldn’t blame yourself if they suffered from diabetes, gastritis, or a broken arm, would you?.