Alcoholism

The Facts About Alcoholism

Alcohol is a popular drug in the United States. And, yes, it is a drug. Unlike many drugs, however, moderate consumption of alcohol is not dangerous for most adults. The problem is that about 17.6 million Americans suffer from alcoholism, which means that they are abusing the drug of alcohol, and causing problems with their own health.

Let's go over some other facts about alcoholism:

• Alcoholism is a disease
• The risk of alcoholism runs in families
• Alcoholism cannot be cured
• ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT WORKS!

Call 1-800-237-3150 toll free for more info or if you or someone you care for may need help with alcoholism.

What is Alcoholism?

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcoholism is a disease that includes the following four symptoms:

• Craving: the strong feeling that you have to have a drink
• Loss of Control: not being able to cut yourself off after you start drinking
• Physical Dependence: experiencing physical problems, such as headaches or nausea, when you stop drinking
• Tolerance: when you need to drink more and more alcohol in order to feel "drunk" or "high"

Call 1-800-237-3150 toll free for more info or if you or someone you care for may need help.

The Dangers of Alcoholism

Alcoholism can cause a variety of health problems. Most serious of these, of course, is death. However, any type of alcohol abuse can cause serious health complications. Sadly, most people suffering from alcoholism fail to understand how dangerous the drug is. Usually, they do not believe that they are addicted, and they think they can stop drinking whenever they want.

Here are some of the dangers of alcoholism:

• Liver Disease
• Brain Damage
• Memory Loss
• "Wet Brain" (the brain no longer functions correctly)

Alcoholism can also cause some very scary mental effects, as well. The cravings that an alcoholic feels can cause him or her to try to get alcohol by any means necessary. This can bring about some very drastic personality changes in the person.

Alcoholism Signs

If you suspect someone is abusing alcohol the most obvious alcoholism signs to look for are:

• A strong and overwhelming desire to drink alcohol at a specific time of day
• Creating a ritual of drinking alcohol before, with or after dinner, and becoming annoyed when this behavior is questioned or disturbed
• Being unable to stop drinking once you start to drink alcohol
• Drinking a large quantity of alcohol without appearing intoxicated
• "Blacking out" or being unable to remember conversations or commitments
• A loss of interest in activities that were once pleasurable

Time to Get Help

If you or someone you know is suffering from alcoholism, do not wait to get help. Alcoholism is a disease, and it cannot be cured. You cannot beat it on your own, no matter how strong you think you are. You need help. That's where Stepping Stone comes in. Stepping Stone's alcoholism treatment programs are among the very best in the country.

Call Stepping Stone toll free at 1-800-237-3150 for more information on alcoholism treatment. Operators are standing by 24/7 and all calls are confidential.