What is Alcoholism / Chemical Dependency? - Part I

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.