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Alcoholism

Abstract
To tell the reader that Alcoholism is in fact a medical illness with no cure as well as to inform them of the possible treatments.

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There are many stereotypes that are associated with the word alcoholism such as the town drunk or the man under the bridge, the man that can’t hold a job and stands on the side of the road with a sign or someone that comes from an Irish background therefore it is assumed that they drink like a fish. These are all false. An alcoholic by definition has a physical dependence on alcohol, a mental obsession known as a craving, a lack of control of the amount they drink, and a high tolerance for their intake of alcohol (Alcoholics Anonymous, 2002). The physical dependence means that the alcoholic will have withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, headache, sweating, or anxiety once they quit drinking. The craving means they have a strong urge or need to drink. The loss of control happens once they take the first drink because they are unable to stop drinking once they have begun and an alcoholic has a very high tolerance to alcohol meaning they need to drink greater amounts in order to get drunk.

Alcoholism is a disease (Alcoholics Anonymous, 2002). It lasts a persons lifetime, it follows a predictable path and it has symptoms. There is no cure. There is only

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treatment. Once you are an alcoholic you will forever be an alcoholic.

Alcoholism is characterized by a lack of control. At some point in an alcoholic’s drinking they loose all control of the frequency and amount they consume (Tate, 1996). An alcoholic cannot stop on their own will power. The problem of an alcoholic centers in their mind not their body. They cannot dink like other people but until they admit they have a problem they will live in delusion and denial. They will always think that they will one day be able to enjoy and control their drinking. Unfortunately alcoholism is an incurable progressive illness. They have little...