Alcoholism Symptoms - What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism symptoms - what is alcoholism? In this post we will define what alcoholism is and some of the alcoholism symptoms to help loved ones know and understand what an individual may be experiencing and how he/she can best support the loved one dealing with alcoholism. The definition on the Web for "alcoholism" says "An addiction to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the mental illness and compulsive behavior resulting from alcohol dependency." According to aarecovery.com 1 in 13 adults abuse alcohol or suffer from alcoholism they also tell about some alcoholism symptoms, which include:

• Compulsion, or a strong need, to drink
• Frequent inability to stop drinking
• nausea, sweating, shakiness, or anxiety that occurs when one goes for a period of time without drinking
• Drinking alcohol or using another sedative to control the nausea, sweating, shaking, and anxiety
• Tolerance

The last symptom "tolerance" is significant in that it isn't necessarily the type of alcohol or even the amount of alcohol that one consumes that determines whether or not an individual suffers from alcoholism.  Alcoholism is better diagnosed by the individuals "need" for alcohol. Some that do not understand what alcoholism is may not understand that a person actually "needs" alcohol just as much as another person needs food and water. A person suffering from alcoholism develops a very real dependency on alcohol and has such intense physical cravings for it that I can only compare it to me trying to stop drinking water or stop eating food. When I have fasted from food and water for 24 hours I know how desperately my body needs food and water. Having such intense cravings for alcohol would be very difficult to overcome.

Once a person understands what alcoholism is and what the alcoholism symptoms are, this knowledge can really be helpful in rehabilitation or drug treatment. Alcohol is a drug and just like any other drug the person seeking help or drug treatment needs to understand what is happening within his/her own body to understand how to fight the addiction. I understand that my body requires food and water for survival. Even if I had enough will power to stop eating or stop drinking water, I know that the result would be death. For someone that is suffering from alcoholism, even though their cravings for alcohol are just as intense as another person's are for food or water, they have to understand that their body does not actually require alcohol for survival and by abstaining from alcohol the cravings and alcoholism symptoms will gradually decrease until they are completely gone. This knowledge and hope can be a great tool for alcoholism victims to use and cling too throughout the treatment and recovery process.

Unlike some terminal diseases, alcoholism is considered a treatable disease. If alcoholism goes untreated, it has the potential to destroy the life of the individual. Not only will the person's health deteriorate, but the individual may also suffer the loss of his/her family, job, social standing, and even his/her very life. Not every person that drinks alcohol has alcoholism and not every person that drinks alcohol on a regular basis will get alcoholism. Some people are genetically more prone to alcoholism and these individuals should take extra precautions to help decrease their risk for alcoholism. If you know someone, or if you are, suffering from alcoholism, visit 4drugrehab.com to find a treatment center for alcohol rehabilitation near you.

Teen Substance Abuse in the U.S.

Teen substance abuse in the U.S. is not just a problem for the teens using the drugs, smoking and drinking alcohol, it is also a problem for the adults they will one day become. Teens who drink, smoke or become addicted to an illegal substance are likely to continue using and abusing these substances as adults. In fact, a new study has revealed that teen substance abuse in the U.S. is the number one public health problem in the country.

Teen substance abuse in the United States:
This information has been recently released from a study completed by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. This new study demonstrates that the vital role played by the parents of these teens at risk for abusing substances is more important than ever. About one in four American teens that begin using an addictive substance like tobacco, alcohol or drugs, before the age of 18 become addicted and carry that addiction into their adult years. However, only one in 25 young adults who begin using an addictive substance over the age of 21 are likely to begin a long-term addiction. This new evidence shows exactly how susceptible teens are to becoming addicted and being unable to quit the habit before they become an adult. This report revealed that 75 percent, at least 10 million, of all high school students have used or tried addictive substances like tobacco, alcohol, marijuana or cocaine. About one in five of these teens already meets the medial definition of addiction of a substance. About 46 percent of all high school students regularly use addictive substances, and out of that amount about one i n three meet the medical criteria for addiction. The reason teens and adolescents are more likely to become addicted to one of these substances is because their brains are still in development and are more susceptible to the addictive properties of tobacco, alcohol and drugs.

How to prevent teen substance abuse:
This is a growing problem throughout the United States, which is why it is important for parents to play an active role in preventing their child from getting involved in these addictions that could easily have life-long consequences. Early use of the drugs and alcohol are prime for causing problems for the teen later on in his or her adult lives. Many teens who begin drinking at an early age have problems with drunk driving, alcohol addiction, binge drinking and alcoholism. If alcohol issues are something that runs in the family, this matter should be taken even more seriously. It is important for parents to know where their children are, who they are hanging out with and what kinds of activities they are doing. It is also important for parents to discuss these matters with their teens to explain the extensive problems addictions can create in a person’s life.