Alcoholism
Alcoholism
 What is alcoholism?Alcoholism is a physical and mental illness. It is an emotional and / or physical dependence on alcohol, characterised by a lack of control over how much alcohol is consumed and by using alcohol primarily for mood-altering purposes ie. to change the way you feel. Many people can enjoy a social drink and there is nothing wrong with a few glasses if you are not experiencing any negative consequences. When family relationships start to suffer however, or you are missing time off work because of alcohol, or your health is suffering, or you don't feel that you can cope with social situations without a drink – you may have developed an unhealthy dependence upon alcohol, which if left untreated, is likely to progress. The progressive nature of alcoholism means that if you are dependent, you will require more and more alcohol over time to achieve the same mood-altering effect. This is how the disease develops. So, for example, where a couple of glasses of wine might do at first, this can easily progress to needing one, two, three or more bottles, or switching to spirits. The physical aspect of the illness can manifest itself in a dependence upon alcohol, where the alcoholic will suffer withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking. Physical withdrawal can occur in daily drinkers and binge drinkers, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sweating, shaking, fits, headaches and palpitations amongst the unpleasant physical symptoms of withdrawal.In extreme cases, alcohol withdrawal can cause death and this is why it is advisable not to attempt it alone, without consulting a doctor first. At Trust The Process, our clients are offered a medically managed detoxification programme, to help minimise withdrawal symptoms. The physical aspect of the illness is also evident when an alcoholic takes the first drink. Described in 12 step programme as the 'phenomenon of craving', upon taking the first drink people with an addictive relationship with alcohol experience a desire for more alcohol, which will override any reasons for not having more to drink. This explains why alcohol dependent people will continue to drink, even in the face of serious consequences such as losing relationships or their job. They feel compelled to drink – although reasons not to drink may enter their mind, their reasoning for continuing to drink feels more convincing to them in that moment. The mental aspect of alcoholism centres around obsessive and compulsive thought patterns with respect to alcohol. Time and again in treatment here at Trust The Process, we hear people describe how thoughts of alcohol would enter their mind regularly, sometimes at stressful times but just as often when there was no obvious reason for wanting a drink. They describe looking forward to finishing work just so they could have a drink. They say that they would not participate in leisure activities which meant they couldn’t drink. They would live for the weekends, when they could sleep off their hangovers undisturbed. They would get annoyed with partners, children or friends who would get in the way of their drinking. Alcohol, slowly but surely, started to be a major consideration in their lives – and their lives were rearranged around alcohol accordingly, even when they were not actually physically drinking. Recovering from alcoholismThe physical dependence upon alcohol will often require a medically supervised detoxification programme, so that withdrawal symptoms are managed safely and with minimal discomfort. The mental obsession for alcohol also needs to be treated – for it is the alcoholic thinking which will lead back to alcohol if new awareness and strategies are not thoroughly explored. At Trust The Process, we provide instruction in the 12 step programme of recovery, which offers a long term solution to alcoholic drinking for those who follow the instructions given. Although the underlying reasons for alcoholism vary from person to person, the 12 step programme is a solution that can be applied to everyone’s life. It provides a thorough explanation of the illness of alcoholism, an investigation into the individual’s alcoholic history and a means for rebuilding their life without the need to ever drink again. It is an inspiring programme that brings so much more than sobriety with it. For more information about the effects of alcoholism and answers to some commonly asked questions please click on the link below:
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