If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, there’s a lot you need to know. Whether you’re battling it personally and need help or are interested in helping someone else quit drinking and become healthy again, there’s a lot to know about alcohol addiction that can help you understand the ailment itself and how some people who are genetically predisposed to getting the disease need extra help, love, and support in order to help them get through it.
Understanding the Disease
You might not realise this, but it is true that alcoholism is a disease. It plagues millions of people around the world each year and there are a lot of negative health effects. Heavy dependence on any particular health-negative substance is never truly healthy, but there are different variations of addiction and different people are addicted to different things. You might even be addicted to caffeine yourself, especially if you cannot go a day without drinking coffee.
However, some addictive personalities are different than the types of personalities that are addicted to alcohol. In this instance, being addicted to alcohol is usually related to genetics. Certain people, because of their genes, are more likely to become addicted to alcohol than others.
Problems associated with the disease can be heavy dependence on alcohol, consistent binge drinking, liver problems, heart problems, and increased anxiety and depression. While a lot of people who suffer from this disease often use alcohol to self-medicate, there are some indications that many people who use this strategy tend to slip deeper into depression and anxiety.
Getting and Giving Help
There are serious health effects associated with alcohol addiction. If you or a loved one is having trouble with alcohol, it’s a good idea to get help. If you’re concerned about a loved one, it can be hard to approach him or her about addressing the problem. He or she might be in denial about the fact that he or she is an alcoholic, or perhaps you don’t want to hurt his or her feelings.
In some circumstances, people are looking for a way out of their alcohol addictions. This means that they might want some support and are afraid to ask for it. People can often feel ashamed of heavy dependence on alcohol, and it might feel embarrassing to come forward and talk about it. In this instance, you should be the one to take the first step. You should ask them if they are okay, and if they say they aren’t, they’re looking for help.
In some instances, the best thing to do is to seek advice from a professional. You might not have the therapeutic insight to know what to do when your loved one is battling addiction, but doctors and medical professionals can help your friend or family member when you cannot. There are several online resources to check out, and you can visit websites and even talk to professionals about taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle. If you’re the one that needs help, don’t be afraid. No one will judge you just because you suffer from a disease.