What is an Alcoholic and Alcoholism?

Over half the population of the U.S. struggle with alcoholism. While a large number will seek assistance for their alcohol abuse, an even greater number will never get the help they need. Still, many people do not understand what an alcoholic is and what is alcoholism?

An alcoholic is someone whose desire is to consume alcohol beyond their ability to control it, regardless of the outcome. Simply put, they are motivated to drink. Some professionals suggest that alcoholism is a physical impulse as well as a mental fixation. Instead of refusing to give in to the cravings, the alcoholic subjects themselves and others to their alcohol abuse and in most situations at the most inopportune times.

A Fine Line

There is a fine line between alcohol abuse and alcoholism and that line is usually based on the amount which the individual is consuming and how often they are consuming. This intensity or degree will be observed and recognized by everyone around the alcohol user because denial keeps the user blind to their own actions.

Typical signs of alcoholism are:
• An inability to control how much alcohol is consumed in a single event
• Consuming alcohol in secret or drinking alone
• Having black outs and losing large amounts of time without being able to remember
• Drinking to get drunk
• Problems with relationships, finances, legal trouble, work/school

The individual who struggles with alcohol abuse may or may not experience withdrawal symptoms, while the alcoholic will begin to experience them within a few hours of the last time they had alcohol consumption.

Women are the Majority

In the United States, studies conducted by The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, show that alcoholism affects the lives of more women than men, citing that most women are less likely to seek assistance, especially if they are mothers, for fear of losing their children.

Alcohol Assistance is Available

Seeking alcohol detox is the first step in taking a step toward being alcohol free. Alcohol detox will remove the chemical toxins from your system that have collected as a result of your alcohol abuse or alcoholism. Many individuals experience withdrawal symptoms as they go through the detox process which may be both physical and psychological including:
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Anxiety and irritability
• DT’s which are periods of confusion, disorientation and hallucinations

Medical Detox

It may be necessary and more beneficial that you seek medical detox which will enlist the use of medication to help you through the detox process with minimum withdrawal symptoms. Most doctors agree that IV therapy medical detox is the safest and most effective method for medical detox available.

IV Therapy Medical Detox

IV therapy medical detox is supervised by a physician and intravenous therapy is important because it allows the doctor to make any necessary changes to the medication protocol that are needed to reduce the effects of the withdrawal symptoms. You will remain comfortable and able to successfully complete the detox process. Studies show that individuals who successfully complete detox are more likely to be successful in their sobriety than individuals who cannot complete detox.