Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, and potentially fatal disease. Once it has developed, the victim loses control over his or her drinking habits, and family and social relationships are greatly disrupted. The cause of alcoholism seems to be the interaction between a possible hereditary predisposition, the effects of ethyl alcohol (the basic ingredient in alcoholic drinks), and the use of alcohol as means of coping with life. There are over 10 million Americans who suffer from alcoholism. Approximately 55 million family members and friends are directly affected by these people. Many health professionals now consider alcoholism to be the largest single medical problem in the U.S.
Question: What are some of the danger signs of alcoholism?
There may be few outward signs during the early stages of alcoholism. The victim may be able to function fairly normally. Some personality changes may be apparent, for example, increasing conflict with family members and an inability to handle stress. Another early symptom is an increase in the amount of alcohol a person needs to drink in order to get the same effect a lesser amount produced in the past. The alcoholic may also experience lapses in memory ("blackouts") and a feeling that a drinking pattern is getting out of control. In the final stages of alcoholism, the victim, while rarely deriving pleasure from alcohol, is unable to go for very long without a drink. One of the prime symptoms of alcoholism, and the symptom that makes the disease so hard to treat, is denial. The alcoholic is unlikely to admit, either to himself or herself or to others, that a problem with alcohol exists. The chronic drinker will probably attribute alcohol-related problems to some other cause. Family members and friends may also deny the problem by looking the other way when destructive behavior is exhibited. This denial can lead to a worsening, physical and mental condition.
