Alcoholism Signs
Anyone who has ever watched a TV show has a mental picture of just what an alcoholic looks like. In most cases this image consists of what would be called the “town drunk,” generally depicted as someone who is filthy and unshaven and always a man. This image cannot be farther from the truth. Alcoholism knows no boundaries of race, gender, or economic status. The truth of the matter is that you probably know someone who has an alcohol problem.
The abuse of alcohol has been a problem for centuries and will continue to be a concern for many more to come. The feeling that alcohol is an evil creation and leads to nothing but trouble is what began the temperance movement that was widely religious based. This movement eventually led to the 18th amendment, also known as the Volstead Act, which instituted a prohibition on the manufacture, transport, and sale of intoxicating liquors. The illegal transport and sale of alcohol during the time of prohibition also led to a surge in organized crime bootlegging activity, but that is a topic for another day.
Alcoholism has been considered a disease for many years now and, due to this categorization, more people are getting the help they need. The symptoms of alcoholism are more widely recognized, helping families and friends to become more involved in recovery process. Due to the education and cultural changes that have taken place over the last few decades alcoholism does not carry with it the stigma it once did years ago. With less embarrassment and more support, more people are making the decision to change there lives and try to break the habit of alcohol abuse.
Today, treatment for alcoholism, like most things in medical science, is dramatically different than years ago. At the turn of the century there was little to no treatment options. Treatment was something that each individual had to do completely on their own. Today there are in-patient, as well as out-patient, treatment centers and programs. It is however still important to remember that no matter the treatment type or the expertise of the caregivers, the final decision still has to be made by the one seeking help. Like all addictions, if the addict does not want to change their life then they will not change, and no amount of treatment will be able to overcome that.
Like many other centers for treatment of addictions, inpatient centers can provide the strictly controlled environment that some need to break the initial stages of alcoholism. In this residential style setting, the addict is kept away from temptations by being confined inside the center. The addict can then move to an out-patient treatment environment, such as group counseling. The addict is taught ways to control their desires but it can be a very difficult process.
The most publicized program today may be Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, as it is commonly called. AA was designed to help the alcoholic overcome the desire to drink alcoholic beverages by offering support from others who have faced similar situations while trying to overcome their own addictions. This is done through group meetings and with the help of a sponsor. The meetings for Alcoholics Anonymous are as the name suggests, anonymous, with only the person’s first name used during the group session. Each member of the group can openly discuss their temptations and desires and hear from others on how they overcame their temptations. A sponsor in the AA group is someone who is a recovering alcoholic themselve and is at a point that they can help guide others through difficult stages of the recovery process. The new member of AA is supposed to reach out to the sponsor for advice and support during times that they feel like taking another drink. The overall goal of the group is to allow recovering alcoholics to talk with and gain inspiration from others who have gone through the same addiction and temptations and to eventually be able to guide others through the same process of recovery.
While alcoholism treatment programs have improved over the years, there is still no cure for alcoholism. This, like any addiction, is a constant struggle for the addict to remain sober. The temptations will subside, but the potential is always there for a relapse. This, like many other things, makes the addict ultimately responsible for the outcome.