What is Alcoholism?
Part I
Disease Definitions:
“Alcoholism is an illness characterized by preoccupation
with alcohol and loss of control over its consumption, such as to lead usually
to intoxication if drinking; by chronicity; by progression and by a tendency
toward relapse. It is typically associated with physical disability and
impaired emotional, occupational and or social adjustments as a direct
consequence of persistent excessive use…. In short, alcoholism is regarded as a
type of drug dependence of pathological extent and pattern, which ordinarily
interferes seriously with the patient’s total health and his adaptation to his
environment.” – American Medical Association
“An alcoholic is one who is unable to consistently choose
whether he shall drink or not and who, if he drinks, is usually unable to
consistently choose whether he shall stop or not.” – Rutgers Center
of Alcoholic Studies
“Alcoholics are those excessive drinkers whose dependence on
alcohol has attained such a degree that they show a noticeable mental
disturbance or an interference with their mental and bodily health, their
interpersonal relations and their smooth and economic functioning, or who show
the prodomal signs of such developments. They therefore require treatment.” –
World Health Organization
Alcoholism and other chemical dependencies:
Concepts: (The Disease)
1) People
who are alcoholic or dependent on any mood-altering chemicals are chemically
dependent.
2) Alcoholism
and other chemical dependencies are primary and prevalent disease.
3) Alcoholism
and other chemical dependencies have an identifiable progression and
predictable symptoms.
4) Alcoholism
and other chemical dependencies have multifaceted effects.
5) Alcoholism
and other chemical dependencies have a known causation.
6) Alcoholism
and other chemical dependencies are commonly denied, misdiagnosed and
misunderstood.
People who are alcoholic or dependent on any
mood-altering chemicals are chemically dependent.
a) Definition
of Alcoholism / Chemical Dependency:
Alcoholism / Chemical dependency
is a condition in which the usage of alcohol / mood altering chemicals is
associated with problems in all areas of ones life on a chronic basis
(physically, mentally, spiritually, socially, emotionally, financially, - Mind,
body and spirit).
b) Any
mood – altering chemical is potentially addictive:
1) Mood
– altering chemicals include alcohol, prescription drugs, street drugs etc.
2) Included
under the umbrella of chemically dependent people are:
1) Alcoholics
2) Poly
drug abusers (Multiple drug user – alcohol, drugs etc.)
3) Prescription
drug abusers
4) Drug
addicts
5) Speed
Freaks
6) Pot
Heads
7) Main
liners (jabbers, pokers) etc.
3) Alcoholism
/ Chemical dependency can involve physiological or psychological dependence or
both.
Physiological dependence:
Indicates body reliance upon mood-altering chemicals has developed and it is
identified by withdrawal symptoms, physical craving, toxicity, increased tissue
tolerance and adaptive cell metabolism (digestive problems, metabolism
decreases etc.)
Psychological dependency: Indicates
mental and or emotional reliance on mood altering chemicals has developed and
it is identified by use of chemicals to reduce stress, escape problems, avoid
or alter reality, or attain a false sense of well-being.
Alcoholism and other chemical dependencies are primary
and prevalent disease (Causation / cause).
A) A
disease is a particular destructive process in an organism (person), with a
specific cause (either known or unknown), and with characteristic symptoms.
B) A
disease can be caused by one or a combination of factors:
1) Environmental
Factors: (e.g. asbestos causes lung cancer)
2) Infectious
factors (e.g. viral influenza)
3) Inherited
factors (e.g. inherited predisposition to contract diabetes, hemophilia, etc.)
C) The
cause of alcoholism / chemical dependency is unknown; causative theories
include:
1) Genetic
causation (i.e. inherited predisposition)
2) Social
learning causation (i.e. environmental conditions reinforce chemical use and
addiction)
3) Psychological
causation (i.e. chemicals reduce stress)
4) Biological
causation (i.e. organic predisposition to disease)
5) Spiritual
causation (i.e. spiritual separation / bankruptcy causes the disease)
D) Alcoholism
/ Chemical dependency has identifiable symptoms which may include:
1) Craving
for alcohol / other drugs
2) Blackouts
3) Loss
of control
4) Changes
in tolerance levels
5) Withdrawal
symptoms
6) Compulsion
to drink / use
7) Harmful
consequences related to alcohol / chemical use are:
a) Physical
– Mental Health
b) Martial
/ Family Health
c) Social
Health
d) Job
Health
e) Financial
Health
f)
Legal Health
g) Spiritual
Health
E) Alcoholism
/ Chemical dependency has identifiable disease patterns:
1) Patterns
vary in terms of symptoms and progression
2) Patterns
include but are not limited to:
i.
Psychologically dependent only (i.e. no symptoms of
physical addiction, but psychological dependency necessitates continued
drinking / using)
ii.
Daily maintenance drinker / user; controls dose and
frequency in order to maintain even “glow” of intoxication; can control intake
per occasion but cannot remain abstinent for even one day.
iii.
Periodic drinker / user; subject to unpredictable
binges / sprees which may last from a day to weeks; maintains days, weeks and
even months of abstinence between binges / sprees).
iv.
Loss of control drinker / user; can abstain on given
occasions but cannot control intake once use begins; typically progresses from
psychological to physiological addiction.
v.
Immediate consequence drinker / user; experiences
harmful consequences immediately such as, gastritis, jail, etc. and still
cannot abstain.
F)
Alcoholism / Chemical dependency is a disease
characterized as:
1) Primary
Disease: First in importance and the origin of other symptoms and effects.
2) Multifaceted
Disease: Harmfully affects all areas of a persons life.
3) Progressive
Disease: Has a predictable continuation of symptoms and effects with increasing
severity and frequency.
4) Chronic
Disease: Is perpetual, ongoing and incurable (but treatable).
5) Acute
Disease: Is marked with severe, periodic episodes that occur throughout the
progression.
6) Potentially
fatal Disease: Can directly (cirrhosis) or indirectly (car accident) cause
death or insanity.
7) Treatable
Disease: Can be arrested with systematic course of care.
8) Prevalent
Disease: It is common.
G) Chemical
Dependency is commonly denied, misunderstood and misdiagnosed and
misunderstood:
1) Denied:
a) “I
cannot be an alcoholic because…..” (i.e., I only drink beer, I still have a job
etc.)
b) “If
those people, places, things and conditions would change, then I wouldn’t drink
/ use.
2) Misdiagnosed
as emotional, physical or life problem:
a) Misdiagnosed
by self: (i.e., I’m just crazy, overworked, lonely etc.
b) Misdiagnosed
by professionals / others:
a. Psychologist:
Alcoholism dependency is a personality disorder.
b. Doctor:
Alcoholism dependency is a symptom of anxiety / depression.
c. Clergy:
Alcoholism dependency is a moral issue.
d. Family
/ friends: alcoholism dependency is a lack of will power
(However it is heartening to know
that perceptions are now changing and people are readily accepting that
alcoholism / chemical dependency is a disease and that it is treatable. Alcoholics and drug addicts are NOT Bad, NOT Mad but SICK.)
3) Misunderstood:
a) Will
power myth: they drink and use because of a weak will.
b) Moral
myth: If they were good people, they would not drink / use.
c) Skid
row myth: Alcoholics reside in Skid row.
d) Popularity
myth: To be hip, slick and cool, I need to drink / use.
e) Prescription
myth: Drugs are safe if they are prescribed.
f)
Self – Infliction myth: It’s not a “REAL” disease
because it’s self – inflicted.
g) They
only hurt themselves myth etc.
This material is sourced from various articles and is a compilation of my notes. I do not claim any copyrights over the content of this post. The content is solely for information only, it is recommended that you consult with a trained professional to address your addiction / chemical dependency issues.
