The Components Of Alcohol Addiction
Heather Colman
Alcoholism is a powerful craving for alcohol which often
results in the compulsive consumption of alcohol. The cause of
this craving is heavily debated, but the most popular beliefs
are that it is a chemical or nutritional imbalance, a genetic
predisposition, a neurological effect caused by runaway
learning mechanisms or an inability to curb one's own desire
for enjoyment.
Alcoholism is often a controversial subject. Some believe it to
be a biological disease, but the inability to tie it to a
specific biological causation makes this is a political debate
and not a medical one.
Alcohol addiction has been identified as having various
components.
* Psychological addiction involves those things which convince
a person that they gain benefit from the use of the substance.
For instance, if they feel that they are more socially adept
while drunk or that it allows them to better handle stress,
then they might feel that any problems caused were worth the
benefits.
* Physical addiction (a.k.a., dependence) involves the physical
adaptation of a person's biological systems to the continued
presence of alcohol in their system. The person's systems
become more comfortable when they have the "normal" level of
alcohol, and higher doses are required to maintain an
equivalent effect. A decrease in the level of alcohol causes
reverse imbalances resulting in withdrawal symptoms, which for
alcohol can be deadly.
* Neurochemical addiction involves the hijacking of existing
learning mechanisms in order to convince the system that an
addictive behavior is good for it, despite all evidence to the
contrary. Endorphin is the body's way of telling the mind that
a behavior is good for it. We release endorphin into the blood
stream during sex, exercise and consumption of some foods for
instance, and this is responsible for "runner's high" and
"afterglow". This is more than just a good feeling, it is
teaching our brain that these are the behaviors that it should
repeat.
It has been demonstrated in various clinical tests that mammals
with more active endorphin systems are more prone to alcohol
addiction. This is because alcohol triggers the release of
endorphins into our system, and we learn that alcohol drinking
is a behavior that we should repeat. This effect is also
visible in the use of opiates, and in various risk-taking
behaviors such as skydiving and gambling.
The social problems arising from alcohol abuse often include
loss of employment, financial problems, marital conflict and
divorce, convictions for crimes such as drunk driving or public
disorder, loss of accommodation, and loss of respect from others
who may see the problem as self-inflicted and easily avoided.
Alcohol dependence affects not only the addicted but can
profoundly impact the family members around them. Children of
alcohol dependents can be affected even after they are grown;
the behaviors commonly exhibited by such children are
collectively known as Adult Children of Alcoholics Syndrome.
Although there is no specific diagnosis for alcoholism, there
have been many efforts at diagnostic approaches to alcohol
dependence, abuse and complications associated with chronic
alcohol consumption.
Several tools may be used to determine if you are an alcoholic.
* The CAGE questionnaire can be used to screen patients quickly
in a doctor's office.
* Another screening questionnaire is the Alcohol Use Disorders
Identification Test (AUDIT).
* The Alcohol Dependence Data Questionnaire is another
sensitive diagnostic test.
* Although there is no blood test specific for alcohol abuse or
alcohol dependence (alcoholism), prolonged heavy alcohol
consumption may lead to several abnormalities in the body.
Alcohol addiction is a treatable disease that can end in the
death of innocent people. If you are an alcoholic or are a
family member of an alcoholic, contact your physician for the
most current treatments available.
About The Author: This article is Copyright © 2006, Heather
Colman. Permission is granted to reprint this article as long
as no changes are made, and this entire resource box is
included. Find more alcoholic resources at:
http://www.alcoholic-press.info
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