Alcoholism bears the following signs and symptoms: Craving—an emotional need, or urge, to drink, loss of control—not being capable of stopping the consumption of alcohol once drinking has begun, and physical dependence—withdrawal problems such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and panicking after ceasing the consumption of alcohol.
Alcoholism symptoms also include tolerance—the need to consume higher amounts of alcohol to make one feel "drunk."
In medical and scientific research venues, official diagnostic criteria for alcoholism also have been established. Such criteria are normally included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, published by the American Psychiatric Association, in addition to the International Classification Diseases, published by the World Health Organization.
Alcoholism and Pathological Basis of Disease
Alcoholism is a disease. The craving that an alcoholic feels for alcohol can be as powerful as the craving for food or fluids. An alcoholic will keep consume alcohol despite serious family, health, or legal issues.
Like many other illnesses, alcoholism is long-term. In other words, it lasts a person's lifetime and it generally follows a predictable course. It also has specific signs and symptoms. The risk for acquiring alcoholism is therefore influenced both by an individual's family history and by his or her lifestyle.
Inheritance Basis of Alcoholism
Research findings suggest that the risk for acquiring alcoholism does indeed run in families. The genes an individual inherits partially explain this pattern, but lifestyle is also a factor.
Currently, researchers are working hard to find the actual genetic constituents that place people at risk for developing alcoholism. Your social circle, the amount of mental stress in your life, and how readily available alcohol is, are also things that may boost your risk for alcoholism.
Bear in mind: risk is not necessarily destiny. Just because alcoholism tends to run in families does not mean that children of alcoholics will automatically turn into alcoholics themselves. A few patients develop alcoholism even while no one in the family suffers from a drinking problem.
By the similar token, not all children of alcoholics run into problems with alcohol. Becoming aware of your risk is crucial though, because then you could take steps to defend yourself from trouble with alcohol.
Treating the Pathology of Alcoholism
Alcoholism can't be cured at the moment. Even if an alcoholic has not been consuming alcohol for an extensive period, he or she can still suffer a relapse. Not consuming alcohol is the safest thing to do for the majority of people with alcoholism.
Alcoholism can be treated. Alcoholism therapy programs utilize both counseling and drugs to make an individual cease consuming alcohol. Therapy has helped many patients stop consuming alcohol and rejuvenating their lives in a healthier way.
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Reference:
S B Rosalki. “Pathology of Alcoholism.” Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 1991. August. 84 (8): 506–508.
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