Alcoholism – Causes, Symptoms & Therapy

When to the doctor?

Anyone who needs professional help to solve an alcohol problem should first speak to their family doctor or a psychosocial counseling center. A visit to the doctor is recommended if the alcohol consumption exceeds the normal level or if alcoholism is already present. If you regularly drink too much, you should start therapy as early as possible and carry out the withdrawal under the supervision of your family doctor.

Regular drinkers who already feel nerve pain or alcohol pain in the lymph node region should consult a doctor immediately to avoid organ damage. Anyone who is already suffering from typical symptoms such as seizures, insomnia or sweating or feels depressed as a result of regular alcohol consumption should also consult a doctor.

Before withdrawing, you should also speak to a specialist first, as the withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening depending on the severity of the alcoholism. The emergency doctor must be alerted if the person concerned shows signs of delirium or another serious complication of alcohol consumption or poses a danger to himself or others.

symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of alcoholism:

• anxiety disorder

• Tremble

• seizure

Alcoholism manifests itself primarily in the urge to drink alcohol constantly. This urge is reflected in a drinking behavior that the affected person can no longer control. Furthermore, it can be observed that people’s interest in things that used to give them pleasure is declining sharply.

As alcoholism progresses, it can also be observed that people have to consume more and more alcohol. This is the only way to create the same feeling as at the beginning of alcoholism. The social environment suffers as a result. But alcoholism also causes damage to the body. Blood pressure rises and affected individuals suffer from anxiety. Severe tremors characterize everyday life and seizures are not uncommon.

Diagnose

The diagnosis of alcoholism is made on the basis of a detailed discussion with the doctor treating you. In doing so, the daily handling of alcohol can be described in detail and, based on the behavioral pattern, a conclusion can quickly be drawn about alcoholism. A physical examination is also carried out.

A blood test can also help in finding the diagnosis. Because certain changes in blood values ​​clearly indicate alcoholism. The diagnosis can usually take a lot of time, since the cause in particular has to be found out. This is the only way to find a sensible treatment method against the patient’s alcoholism.

complications

Alcoholics can claim for years that they are doing well, because alcoholism initially causes difficulties in the social and societal area. The physical damage caused by alcohol can go unnoticed for a long time, but then it usually becomes all the more serious. The liver is severely damaged and cirrhosis of the liver or sudden jaundice due to liver failure can occur. Drugs that stress the liver can already trigger such symptoms. Heart and circulation suffer from alcoholism and it is more likely to develop coronary artery disease. The body fat percentage increases and over time can contribute to overweight or even obesity – with all the known medical complications.

Many alcoholics are also exposed when they are hospitalized with medical conditions that require surgery unrelated to their drinking problem. Now that they are suddenly put on withdrawal, the body reacts to it.

When doctors may be unaware that they are treating an alcoholic, they may be giving them the wrong medication, leading to unpredictable complications of the physical condition, and death at worst. Depending on the active substance, an alcoholic cannot get the same medication as a healthy person, their body reacts differently to them. In addition, of course, there is the constant risk of no longer being in control of one’s senses when drunk and putting oneself and other people in dangerous situations.

treatment and therapy

Treating alcoholism takes a long time. Relapses can occur very quickly here and require special observation. The aim of the therapy is to ensure that the person concerned achieves permanent abstinence from alcohol.

For the beginning of a successful therapy it is important that the affected person recognizes that he/she suffers from problems with alcohol. It may take some time to realize this. But only if the person wants to change something themselves can they be helped. Therapy takes place through regular visits from psychologists and doctors. An inpatient stay in the hospital is also a popular option.

The treatment of alcoholism is divided into four sections. The contact phase, the withdrawal phase, the weaning phase and the aftercare and rehabilitation phase. In the contact phase, the person concerned makes initial contact with a counseling center or a doctor. The causes and symptoms of alcoholism are examined here.The withdrawal phase is very difficult for many people. This section usually takes place in a hospital. During this time, disturbances of consciousness and other physical complaints can occur. In the weaning phase, the affected person has to learn how to deal with everyday life without alcohol. This step takes several weeks. The follow-up phase, on the other hand, serves to reduce the risk of a relapse through talks and meetings.

prevention

Basically, one should try to act before the alcohol consumption and in the course of the alcoholism becomes pathological. You should keep an eye on even the smallest signs. As soon as one’s drinking behavior seems strange and excessive, one should consult a doctor. This is especially true when you realize you can’t go without those alcoholic beverages. Special counseling centers can help and prevent alcoholism.