Alcoholism is a chronic disease that affects countless people worldwide, according to the Mayo Clinic. Alcoholics become physically and emotionally dependent on drinking. If you are an alcoholic, it's likely that booze is adversely affecting your personal and professional life. But you may irrationally contend that you have no problem at all and that most of your problems are caused by your situation or other people. If you realize you have a problem, and you yourself are responsible for your recovery, numerous programs can offer support.
Signs of Alcoholism
The Mayo Clinic lists symptoms that indicate alcoholism. Alcoholics are often unable to drink in moderation. Some drink secretively and lose interest in activities that once were enjoyable. Excessive consumption can cause a blackout, when the alcoholic forgets what has happened and what he has done. Still, when someone points out the alcoholic's patterns, he vehemently denies that drinking is interfering with his life in any way.
Physical Effects
Excessive consumption endangers the alcoholic's health. Drinking can cause liver disorders, digestive and heart problems, diabetes complications and sexual dysfunction. A pregnant woman who drinks could give birth to a child with fetal alcohol syndrome. Yet she might refuse prenatal care and risk giving birth to a disabled child who needs lifelong care. A man with the warning signs of liver disease could put off testing to determine his health status and treatment. If he's impotent, he could blame his partner. Being irrational, an alcoholic is often willing to prioritize drinking over his health.
Personal Effects
Alcoholics are frequently angry and aggressive, according to the website AboutDWI. This anger is often directed at those who are closest to him, his spouse and children, and can manifest in verbal and domestic abuse. This can ultimately result in arrest and divorce, creating even more legal, financial and personal problems for the alcoholic, who irrationally refuses to acknowledge that he has a problem, and if he does acknowledge a problem, it's other people who are causing it.
Drinking and Driving
Extreme drinking lowers inhibitions and increases the likelihood that you will engage in risky behaviors. An alcoholic may believe that he is perfectly capable of driving and can insist on doing so, even if he has a suspended license. The need to get to a bar and drink can be greater than the fear of causing an accident or going to jail.
Financial Problems
In extreme cases, an addiction to alcohol can affect your ability to hold down a job and play havoc with your finances, especially if your income is limited. Alcoholics are frequently incapable of maintaining employment, according to the website 90DayRecovery. Even if you can hold down a job, the money spent on booze could be put elsewhere, toward bills or even a family vacation. But the alcoholic is frequently willing to sacrifice long-term welfare for quick gratification.
