Question 1

are there any relationships between alcoholism and anxiety disorders?

Accepted Answer

Nerves and alcohol: People with anxiety disorders are appx. 3 times more likely to abuse alchohol often to try to alleviate the anxiety but in the long run, it makes anxiety worse.

Question 2

is alcoholism a disease?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It is recognized as a disease by the World Heath Organization, the American Medical Association, and the federal government.

Question 3

what is done for alcoholism?

Accepted Answer

Needs treatment: Alcoholics must first recognize that they have a problem and need help. About 15 million people (samhsa, 2011) over age 12 have alcohol abuse or dependence in the us.  There are many different treatment modalities that work, including 12 step programs, self-help groups (aa), cbt/rbt groups, etc.  Sometimes medications, such as antabuse, (disulfiram) naltrexone, and campral, are used to help achieve abstinence.

Question 4

can alcoholism be inherited?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It is a genetic and multifactorial disease. It is also more common in certain groups such as in american indian, and less common in Asian populations , particularly because of alleles inherited and cofering either increased or decreased activity of alcohol dehydrogenase.This means if you have incresed activity of the enzyme small amounts of alcohol would make you sick and become aversive.

Question 5

how is alcoholism dangerous?

Accepted Answer

88,000 deaths: Appoximately 80% of untreated alcoholics die of their disease.  Alcohol affects the brain, liver, kidney, stomach.  Most common things that kill alcoholics are accidents, alcohol poisoning, suicides, liver disease.

Question 6

what are symptoms of alcoholism?

Accepted Answer

Withdrawal and drinking despite negative consequences: When someone drinks depite negative consequences.  If alchohol "calls " them and/or they have withdrawal when they stop.

Question 7

what sort of problem is alcoholism?

Accepted Answer

Alcoholism: Alcoholism is a disease of the brain wherein alcohol produces a euphoric but toxic response in a 20% of the population. This same percentage has a tendency to depression and treatment with antidepressants can help but stopping exposure to alcohol is the only treatment that works. Most 12 step programs have the highest rate of  effective treatment, which is life long.

Question 8

can i die from alcoholism if i ignore it?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Many alcoholics continue to drink, sometimes after treatment, and sometimes never trying treatment.  They may die of damage from their alcohol use.  But, they may also die of old age, or another disease or health problem.  Why risk dying from alcohol, don't ignore your problem, get help.

Question 9

why are there racial disparities in regards to alcoholism?

Accepted Answer

Historically...: ... In populations that have had access to alcohol for thousands of years, persons with genetic tendency toward alcoholism were likely start drinking as children, and to die young, therefore unlikely to reproduce, breeding this sensitivity out of the population. Groups to whom alcohol was introduced only a few hundred years ago have not had time to do that.

Question 10

how to treat alcoholism?

Accepted Answer

Alcoholism: If you haven't lost control over the use of alcohol, treatment may involve reducing your drinking. If you're dependent on alcohol, simply cutting back is ineffective. Giving up alcohol entirely must be part of your treatment goal. There are many ways to treat alcoholism, including aa, counseling, residential treatment programs, medications (antabuse, naltrexone, campral).

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Alcoholism and relationships

A member asked:

Are there any relationships between alcoholism and anxiety disorders?

A member asked:

Is alcoholism a disease?

A member asked:

What is done for alcoholism?

A member asked:

Can alcoholism be inherited?

A member asked:

How is alcoholism dangerous?

A member asked:

What are symptoms of alcoholism?

A member asked:

What sort of problem is alcoholism?

A member asked:

Can i die from alcoholism if i ignore it?

A member asked:

Why are there racial disparities in regards to alcoholism?

A member asked:

How to treat alcoholism?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?