Question 1

what defines alcoholism?

Accepted Answer

Addiction: A harmful pattern of use characterized by tolerance, 
withdrawal, using more of the substance than intended, persistent desire or unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop using, significant periods of time spent using or obtaining the substance at the expense of other major life responsibilities, and continuing to use despite the knowledge of significant adverse effects on your life.

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

how is alcoholism treated?

Accepted Answer

Multiple ways: To treat alcoholism, there are both inpatient and outpatient programs.  Many are run in accord with 12-step philosophy.  Visit aa (http://www.Aa.Org) to get an idea.  Also there are aftercare recovery groups that teach skills for living without depending on alcohol.  Addiction medicine docs can help too ; and psychiatrists to treat conditions that might interfere with your recovery.

Question 4

what are signs of alcoholism?

Accepted Answer

Signs of alcholism: C - have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?

A- have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

G - have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?

E - eye opener: have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

From: http://alcoholism.About.Com/od/tests/a/tests.Htm.

Question 5

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 6

what solves alcoholism in older men?

Accepted Answer

Recovery: Typically, alcoholism doesn't get cured.  It is an ongoing disorder that requires ongoing work to treat it.  Recovery can occur, but it does involve connections to other people and persistent work.  Find a good alcohol treatment facility and commit to the recovery process.  You an also seek out alcoholics anonymous or rational recovery groups as well.

Question 7

what diseases does alcoholism cause?

Accepted Answer

Alcoholism causes: chronic damage to lots of systems, the most notable are kidney and liver--those being the two systems most engaged in eliminating the toxic substances that ethanol becomes (acetaldehyde to acetic acid to acetyl-CoA.).   Permanent brain damage (Korsakov's syndrome) can result from chronic exposure to ethanol and its nor-metabolites.   Let the body deal with its own ethanol from natural digestion...

Question 8

help please! is alcoholism a disease?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders fourth addition text revision or dsm-iv tr codes both alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence as mental diseases.  Twelve step programs such as alcoholics anonymous also embrace the disease model.  There are many effective programs and therapies to help people recover from alcoholism.

Question 9

will the intervention stop alcoholism?

Accepted Answer

It helps: An "intervention" is often the first step in treating alcoholism or addiction.  The most important aspect, however, is the persons own desire to do something about their "disease".  An intervention typically involves a period of in-patient rehabilitation, followed by support groups(such as aa), sometimes therapy and there a host of medicines that may aid in helping one to stop drinking.

Question 10

what can be initial signs of alcoholism?

Accepted Answer

Functioning: Impairment in functioning is the real key to a problem, as well as problems with one's family and relationships, problems on the job or with someone's work, marital problems, isolating and drinking alone, anger outbursts, alcohol withdrawal like shakes and tremors, drinking in the morning, history of duis, history of blackouts, problems with the law, spending too much on alcohol & health problems.

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Help please! is alcoholism a disease?

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