subject: Ways To Identify If There Is Alcoholism [print this page] Lots of people drink alcohol due to the effects they have it on their mind and body. Alcohol intake has short term and long-term effects. The short-term effects are usually what attract many to drink it. The enticing effects like relaxation and low inhibition after a drink or two are considered advantageous to those who are often silent and shy in social functions. Alcohol is a depressant although many misconstrue it as a stimulant because those who drink often are more talkative and eager to participate. The main reason for that is because the alcohol suppresses the sense of self control of the brain allowing the drinker to do as he pleases without really minding other people's feelings.
Heavy and consistent intake of alcohol have long-term effects which are harmful to the body. Binge drinking, a term used for drinking heavily in one occasion, may be considered a harmless behavior if done rarely but still the effects of too much drinking alcohol affects key organs in the body specially the liver. Binge drinking consistently poses many threats not just physically but mentally to an individual who does it. The effects of heavy drinking do not only fall to the drinker but also to those who he interacts and even to a greater bigger circle of people around him. The government has recorded that 10.8 million people have died due to car accidents related to alcohol consumption. This is not a small figure to deal with and greater caution against addiction of alcohol should be developed by citizens not just in this country but all over the world. That's why many alcohol and drug treatment programs are being established to control and stop the global rise of such addiction.
In order to recognize social drinkers from alcoholics, a number of physical and mental symptoms can be observed. One is the ability of the individual to control alcohol intake. Social drinkers have stronger will to avoid and abstain from alcohol intake; addicts usually crave intensely and are restless when they can't get an alcoholic drink. Another is anti-social behavior. Social drinkers enjoy conversations and interact normally with those around them; addicts avoid and are not coherent in their conversations. Other serious alcohol abuse symptoms include tremors, headaches, loss of body balance, and memory lapses can be observed among alcoholics.
The path to soberness for many alcoholics can be difficult and painful. Some do not have the self-control to stop because experiencing withdrawal signs after abstaining from drugs or alcohol are overwhelming. There are plenty of ways to help addicts overcome this condition. There are many available alcohol and drug treatment centers that provide medication and counseling to help relieve the pains of withdrawals.
