Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol addiction happens when a person develops an emotional and physical dependence on alcohol. When someone drinks, they are actually ingesting a sedative, which can in time create dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol provides a feeling of relaxation and euphoria, and lowers the inhibitions. Its effects can cause a person to come to emotionally rely on it. When someone has such a strong desire to drink that they physically cannot resist, their issue is generally considered an addiction.
One of the first signs that a person is becoming addicted to alcohol is the building of a tolerance to it. One may find that they need more and more alcohol to get the same effect and if they do not drink enough, they will eventually experience troubling withdrawal symptoms.
Emotional addiction and physical dependence usually go hand in hand and can cause depression when the addict does not have anything to drink. The addict may find that they cannot perform daily tasks until they've had a drink or two, and they often can't help but drink to excess even when they planned otherwise. Emotional addiction is often the biggest hurdle to overcome, because people may not want to stop drinking even after they have seen what their alcoholism is doing to their lives.
Those who drink to excess may do so as an escape from the stresses of everyday life. However, the drinking may exacerbate those difficulties, leading to the loss of possessions, careers and relationships. Another sign of alcohol addiction is that the person's drinking interferes with their daily activities.
In most cases, to successfully recover, the alcoholic needs a genuine desire to quit drinking. This step may require a life-changing event that makes the addict realize how severe their addiction really is. Once the person is ready to stop drinking, family members often remove all alcohol from the home in order to minimize temptation. Sometimes a bit of peer pressure can be helpful to prevent a relapse, so the alcoholic may tell family and friends about their wish to quit drinking. Severe cases often require a visit to an inpatient rehab facility to assist with painful withdrawal symptoms.
The emotional component of alcohol addiction may require professional assistance to overcome. There are psychiatrists and therapists who specialize in addiction therapy, and the alcoholic can usually benefit from some sort of counseling. The 12-step program is also very beneficial; there, people get a sponsor to help them through difficult times.