Considered a chronic disease by many experts, alcoholism is an intense physical and psychological dependence on any form of alcohol. Heavy drinking is defined as three or more drinks a day, but alcoholism itself is not as easy to define. Someone may abuse alcohol from time to time, for example, without necessarily being an alcoholic. Accordingly, alcoholism is diagnosed less on the basis of discernible physical symptoms than on the degree to which it alters one's behavior and its long-term effects on health.
Consumed in moderation, alcohol is actually healthy; it is believed to protect the heart. But long-term, excessive drinking can damage not only the heart, but the liver, pancreas, brain, intestines, and other organs. In pregnant women, even moderate drinking can increase the risk of mental retardation and other birth defects. And in all people, alcohol increases the risk of accidental injury and death--even when consumed in small amounts--by impairing judgment, affecting concentration, and reducing response time. Alcohol is second only to tobacco as the overall cause of premature death in America, mainly in young adults.
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Constantly pursuing opportunities to drink
Being unable to reduce your alcohol intake
Making alcohol a higher priority than family, friends, and work
The need for increasing amounts of alcohol to feel high
Denying that there is a problem and resenting those who bring it to your attention
Experiencing signs of withdrawal--tremors, seizures, hallucinations--during periods of abstinence
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While social and psychological factors no doubt play a role in alcoholism, research indicates that alcoholics have a strong genetic predisposition to the disease. Children of alcoholics are at high risk of becoming alcoholics themselves, even when they are raised in nondrinking households.
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When a person acknowledges that he or she is an alcoholic, conventional physicians usually recommend entering some sort of a formal treatment program, either on an in-patient or an outpatient basis. Psychological counseling, especially with a therapist especially trained in addictions, can be very valuable. However, it has been the worldwide groups of Alcoholics Anonymous that remain the single most effective factor in dealing with alcohol dependence. A second organization, Al-Anon, supports the families of alcoholics.
In addition to counseling and referral to AA, physicians may prescribe disulfiram (Antabuse) to help alcoholics stay sober. When this medicine is taken on a regular basis, an alcoholic will feel extremely nauseated with even one sip of alcohol. Prescription medications may be necessary to ease the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, but several natural supplements may also help during the recovery period, which may last for weeks or even months. All of them can be taken together and in conjunction with prescription drugs.
Just a reminder: If you have a serious medical condition, it's always wise to check with your doctor before beginning a supplement regimen.
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Vitamin C, best combined with vitamin E, will help cleanse alcohol from the body's tissues and relieve minor withdrawal symptoms. Extra thiamin may also be beneficial.
The B-complex vitamins, the amino acid glutamine (taken as L-glutamine between meals), and extracts from the kudzu vine seem to reduce the craving for alcohol.
To strengthen the liver and help it rid the body of toxins, take the herb milk thistle, the amino acid NAC (N-acetylcysteine), and the vitamin B-like substance phosphatidylcholine.
If sleeplessness is a problem, try the herb kava a natural sedative. (The FDA has recently issued warnings on kava due to its adverse effects on the liver. Before using this herb, please read the entry on kava in the WholeHealthMD Reference Library.) The herb valerian can also be helpful.
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Join a support group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Your loved ones can join Al-Anon.
Maintain a healthful diet, containing plenty of nutrients. Eat high-quality protein, lots of fruits and vegetables, and avoid sugar and refined flour products.
Start regular exercise and yoga programs; they can be very helpful in cleansing the body of toxins, including alcohol. They also tend to reduce depression, which frequently accompanies alcohol abuse.
For some people, acupuncture is effective in reducing the craving for alcohol.
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If you drink before breakfast
If drinking binges last for 48 hours or longer
If alcohol causes you to black out or fall
If you frequently use alcohol to relieve stress or pain
If your drinking is adversely affecting your personal or professional relationships
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