The disease of alcoholism (or alcohol dependence) includes four symptoms, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) says. These include a craving or compulsion to drink, loss of control over limiting one's drinking,...
Alcoholism devastates families. The emotional trauma linked to this addiction affects spouses, parents, siblings and children. Anxiety, depression and other mental health issues associated with alcoholism can remain long after an alcoholic quits...
Families of alcoholics often go through problems that are as severe as the disease of alcoholism. Even though they are not to blame, they suffer because of dealing with everyday difficulties facing the alcoholic that are passed on to the family....
In the family of an alcoholic, no one is spared the effects of his drinking. The impact of alcohol abuse on a family can be overwhelming. Family members may be abused physically, neglected and verbally demeaned. Even if an alcoholic goes into...
Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by an increasing tolerance for alcohol, the inability to quit drinking, withdrawal symptoms during periods of abstinence, and more. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism...
Alcohol abuse is defined as an overindulgence in consumption of alcohol that begins to interfere with daily living, according to the Mayo Clinic. There are numerous people suffering from alcohol abuse, and the damage caused by alcohol abuse has a...
Alcoholism is a family disease. When there is an alcoholic in a family, no one escapes unscathed. Rather than focusing on their own interests, relationships and lives, family members react to the alcoholic in certain ways. Some become enablers....
If your loved one has a drinking problem, an intervention may be necessary. In a formal intervention, a group of friends and family members gather to confront the alcoholic about his behavior and ask him to go into treatment. The saying goes that...
Alcohol abuse is a substance abuse disorder involving excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. When it occurs in families, alcohol abuse can cause serious financial, emotional and health-related problems. Domestic violence, child abuse and...
When one member of a family is affected by alcoholism, the entire family structure begins to mold itself around the alcoholic's "dis-ease." Family members are often forced to ignore their own needs in order to focus attention on the the alcoholic....
Alcohol and tobacco are some of the most commonly used mind-altering substances in the world. As such, problems caused by abuse of these drugs can be seen within individuals, families and communities everywhere. Understanding the potential...
The effect of drug and alcohol abuse on a family is evident whether a child is abusing drugs or a parent is abusing. Family structures have become more complex and the effects of drug abuse on families will also be impacted by different...
No one who is part of a family where a member abuses alcohol or drugs remains unaffected. Potential consequences of alcohol or drug abuse on the family include both immediate and long-term effects. The National Institute on Drug Abuse, or NIDA,...
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, "Children raised in families with high rates of conflict appear at risk for both delinquency and illicit drug use." Adding...
American adults who are alcoholics or dependent on alcohol climbed from 13.8 million in 1992 to 17.6 million in 2002, growing from 7.41 percent of the population to 8.46 percent, according to a 2004 report by the federal National Institute on...
Al-Anon estimates that for each alcoholic, the lives of four other people are impacted because alcoholism is a family problem, not just an individual problem. Alcoholism in the home causes disruptions in the lives of each family member, which for...
Alcohol abuse and dependence has many detrimental effects not only on the alcoholic himself but on his family. While he may hide his drinking from the outside world, at home there are no secrets. Families are often too ashamed or too afraid to...
The effects of alcoholism on the home environment has received little attention to date, warns the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. When a person has alcoholism, the effects are felt in the home among all family members. The effects on the home can be...
According to the Partnership For a Drug-Free America (PDFA) report released in August 2008, drinking among teenagers has dropped significantly. In 1998, 42 percent of teenagers reported they had consumed alcohol during the past month compared to...
According to the National Institute of Health, almost 17.6 percent of American adults are problem drinkers. Their alcoholism affects them personally, and it has ripple effects if they are married. Edward T. Creagan, M.D., at the Mayo Clinic...
Alcoholism is a disease characterized by physical dependence on alcohol and loss of control over drinking behavior. People who suffer from alcoholism may wish to stop drinking, but find it difficult to do so even if the behavior is causing...
The National Institutes of Health assert that alcoholism is a disease characterized by intense cravings, uncontrollable drinking, increased tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Abstinence is widely regarded to be the most effective treatment,...
Excessive drinking over time can lead to a physical dependence on alcohol. Drinking more than 15 drinks a week for men or 12 drinks a week for women increases the risk of developing alcohol dependence, according to the Mayo Clinic. The reasons for...
When a recovering alcoholic relapses, it affects family, friends and co-workers, as well as the alcoholic. Supportive friends and family members may lose trust and feel disappointed and let down. According Al-Anon, a 12-step program designed for...
Alcoholism in a family has usually devastating effects on the children. Because alcoholism is often long term and a brain-related illness, it is often difficult for the alcohol abuser to stop abusing. The family usually takes on unhealthy roles in...
According to the National Library of Medicine, over 17 million Americans are alcoholics or have alcohol abuse problems. Knowing about alcohol addiction factors can help potential alcoholics and their families identify problems and seek treatment...
Addiction to alcohol or drugs is a disease, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Addiction affects everyone in the family, not just the substance abuser. Effects may vary depending on family structure,...
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines alcoholism as a disease that includes four major symptoms--craving, loss of control, physical dependence and tolerance. Each day, more than 700,000 Americans receive treatment for this...
The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that alcoholism is a disease that includes four symptoms: craving, loss of control, physical dependence, and a high tolerance to alcohol's effects. Alcoholism is a chronic...
Red wine is a popular alcoholic drink made from red or black grapes. Try some tips for buying red wine in this healthy shopping video.
Beer has been an artistic, flavorful food product for thousands of years. Try some tips for buying the beer for you in this healthy shopping video.
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that leads to weak bones and an increased risk of fracture. Learn more about osteoporosis in this obstetrics video.
