Alcoholism |
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It is acceptable to enjoy a glass or two
of an alcoholic beverage, but there is
a problem when alcohol consumption becomes
a physical and a psychological dependence.
According to the Journal of the American
Medical Association, alcoholism is "a
primary, chronic disease characterized
by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation
with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol
despite adverse consequences, and distortions
in thinking."
Over
time it becomes difficult to experience
the same feeling from a consistent amount
of alcohol because the body adapts to
this intake. As a result, an individual
increases his or her consumption of
alcohol to maintain the same euphoric
feeling. Alcoholics consume alcohol
several times within a day. The dependence
on alcohol increases so the body requires
more of it to function. Alcoholism ultimately
becomes a chronic disorder that affects
the alcoholic and everyone associated
with him or her.
Causes and Risk Factors
Pressure inflicted
by peers during social gatherings and
the desire to be accepted are some of
the most common reasons for people to
consume alcohol. An escape from stress
and the avoidance of depression are
also causes that contribute to alcohol
consumption.
The process of alcoholism occurs gradually.
Over time many people who drink alcohol
casually begin to experience cases of
alcoholism. For some people the process
of alcoholism may not develop until
as long as several years.
Genetics are
established as contributing factors
to alcoholism. Some scientists are of
the opinion that due to genetics, an
individual who has alcoholism encoded
in his or her genes exhibits an increased
risk for alcoholism, an increased level
of alcohol tolerance or may have an
ongoing desire for alcohol.
A family
history of alcoholism is a possible
contributing factor of alcoholism. Issues
such as the lack of parental monitoring,
the lack of parent-child communication
and arguments and conflicts within the
family may contribute to alcohol abuse
in adolescents.
Children who exhibit limited or no social
skills, who interact poorly with family
members, friends or within their school
environment, and children with behavioral
problems may also have an increased
risk for alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence.
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