Alcoholism Facts and Answers

Alcoholism Facts and Answers: Is Alcoholism a Disease?
Yes. Alcoholism (sometimes called alcohol dependence), is a disease which includes the following four symptoms:

Craving
A strong urge (or need) to drink alcohol.

Loss of control
Not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun.

Physical dependence
Withdrawal symptoms, including nausea (feeling sick like to want to vomit), sweating, shakiness, trembling and anxiety after you stop drinking.

Tolerance
The need to drink greater and greater amounts of alcohol to still get 'high' from it.

Alcoholism Facts and Answers: Is Alcoholism Inherited?
Alcoholism often runs in families; for example, if you had an alcoholic parent, then your chances of becoming an alcoholic as well are much higher than average. But this is not all cast in stone. Not all children of alcoholics become alcoholics themselves, and not all people who are alcoholic come from alcoholic parents.

Lifestyle and social interaction also play a factor, which researchers are trying to pin down.

Alcoholism Facts and Answers:

Can Alcoholism Be Cured?
Alcoholism can be treated, but it cannot be cured.

A range of medications is used to treat alcoholism. Benzodiazepines (Valium® , Librium®) are sometimes used during the initial few days of detoxification to help the alcoholic safely withdraw from alcohol.

An alcoholic who has been successfully treated has to stay away from alcohol for the rest of his or her life. This can only be done with the loving support from a group like Alcoholics Anonymous, which is made up of experienced alcoholics all helping each other to stay sober and to get by ... just one day at a time.

Alcoholism Facts and Answers: How do you know if someone has an alcohol problem?

Answering the following four questions to find out if you (or a loved one) have a drinking problem:

• Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
• Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
• Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
• Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

Just one "yes" answer suggests a possible alcohol problem. More than one "yes" answer means it is highly likely that the person may be alcoholic.

If you think that you or someone you know might have an alcohol problem, it is important to see a medical doctor right away. He or she can help you determine if a drinking problem exists, and plan your best course of action.