Information on Alcoholism

Here's some basic information on Alcoholism Alcoholism, according to the American Medical Association, is "an illness characterized by a preoccupation with alcohol and loss of control over its consumption . . . "
In other words, alcoholism is a physical disease, not a disgrace; it is a health problem, not a moral problem. The alcoholic does not choose to become an alcoholic nor does his illness stem from a lack of willpower. (Both men and women may be alcohol addicted; the male pronoun is used for convenience only.)
Instead of being sinful, the alcoholic is sick and in need of medical attention. Without treatment, the disease of alcoholism progresses. The alcoholic's suffering may lead to permanent physical damage, mental damage, and an early death.
Without treatment, nine out of ten alcoholics in America today will die of their illness.
Sadly, alcoholism also impairs people close to the alcoholic. Family members may suffer; co- workers may be injured; and employers may fail to receive the drinker's full productive talents.
There is no "cure" for alcoholism. Yet, the disease can be treated and arrested. Under a structured health care program the alcoholic should find his health does respond, predictably, to effective professional treatment.

Who is the Alcoholic? Few alcoholics fit the stereotype of "town drunkard". Who is the alcoholic? Man or woman.teenager or senior citizen. Low income or six figure income. Indeed, alcoholics are to be found in all walks of life.
The average alcoholic is in his mid-40's with a responsible job, home and family. Alcoholics tend to be nice people except for the severe personality changes caused by the alcohol. They have a sickness that causes problems for themselves and others.

Denial: A roadblock to Treatment

A principal symptom of the disease of alcoholism is denial. That is, the problem drinker will stoutly maintain that he isn't drinking more than those around him. He will assert that he can "handle it" by himself.
Comments or criticisms from others about his drinking drive him to become even more defensive. His excuses become frequent (and quite inventive). The alcoholic becomes increasingly self-centered to ensure that his needed supply of alcohol is available. Simply, the alcoholic can't and won't help himself.

Denial May Also Occur Among Family and Friends

Most of the time, those around the alcoholic feel frustrated, unsure, confused and afraid about how to handle his problem drinking. Sometimes they don't want to admit that his broken promises and abuse are victimizing them. Other times, with the best of intentions, they believe that "just one more chance" will allow the drinker to regain control over his life.
Denial may occur among family members or work associates of the alcoholic. Family members may be protective and pretend that the alcoholic is not seriously sick: "He just had a few too many." They may make excuses for his absences from work, bad checks, drunk driving arrests, or abusive behavior. A work supervisor may overlook his tardy arrivals or absences from the job; co-workers may cover for him.

The Alcoholic May Not Appreciate Your Help

Family and friends, concerned about the problem drinker, will usually find that their efforts to help him are rudely rebuffed. He may accuse them of intruding and take their concern for him as nagging.
After awhile, even the strongest defenders of the alcoholic's good qualities begin to grow weary of his persistent denial and unresponsiveness.
Discouraged, the family and friends of the alcoholic may 1) deny the problem exists, 2) blame the alcoholic for his problem, 3) withdraw emotionally from the alcoholic, or 4) privately acknowledge the problem exists but refuse to talk about it. In all these instances, the problem drinker is allowed more time to continue his drinking.
Unfortunately, however, time is not on the side of the untreated alcoholic. Delay in the alcoholic's treatment only results in him getting sicker.
The earlier the alcoholic can be diagnosed and treated, the less the destruction to his health and the greater the likelihood of his recovery. Alcoholism needs to be addressed regardless of the stage of the disease.

Intervention: Helping the Alcoholic Seek Treatment

Usually, motivating the problem drinker to seek treatment starts when you realize he may be unable to help himself and needs you to act in his best interest. While you still love him and have concern for his health, you must resolutely refuse to share his warped "life in a bottle" perspective. Also you need a plan of action to get him to accept professional help at a treatment facility.
There is a hopeful method, called "intervention," which will allow you to help a problem drinker even if he does not now want help.

What is Intervention?

Intervention is a group process to motivate the alcoholic to enter a treatment program for his disease. After intervention the alcoholic usually will feel the need for professional assistance. Intervention calls for you to join together with other people to create a caring crisis for him. The caring crisis of the intervention shows the alcoholic the effects of his drinking upon both himself and those closest to him. An arranged meeting brings together the alcoholic with members of his family, friends, personal physician, employer, co-workers, minister or others who have closely observed the harmful effects of alcohol upon his life. The intervention creates a potential turning point in the alcoholic's life by presenting a fairly full and realistic picture of the harm that his drinking is causing.