Q #2: Is alcoholism a disease?
Drinking FAQs--Groundpickle.comYes, alcoholism is a disease. The craving that an alcoholic feels for alcohol can be as strong as the need for food or water. An alcoholic will continue to drink despite serious family, health, or legal problems. Like many other diseases, alcoholism is chronic, meaning that it lasts a person's lifetime; it usually follows a predictable course; and it has symptoms. The risk for developing alcoholism is influenced both by a person's genes and by his or her lifestyle.
Related QuestionsAlcohol Abuse and Alcoholism- Frequently Asked Questions (FA...Yes. Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease with symptoms that include a strong need to drink despite negative consequences, such as serious job or health problems. Like many other diseases, it has a generally predictable course, has recognized symptoms, and is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors that are being increasingly well defined.Related Questions
CampusBlues.com - AlcoholYes, alcoholism is a disease. The craving that an alcoholic feels for alcohol can be as strong as the need for food or water. An alcoholic will continue to drink despite serious family, health, or legal problems. Like many other diseases, alcoholism is chronic, meaning that it lasts a person's lifetime; it usually follows a predictable course; and it has symptoms. The risk for developing alcoholism is influenced both by a person's genes and by his or her lifestyle.Related Questions
Questions About Drugs: Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismThis is a subject of hot debate among treatment professionals. While there is some evidence that alcoholism has a biochemical component, the most successful treatment philosophies treat alcoholism as a mental or spiritual problem. There is no pill or medication currently available that can remove the desire to drink.Related Questions
FAQs for the General PublicYes, alcoholism is a disease. The craving that an alcoholic feels for alcohol can be as strong as the need for food or water. An alcoholic will continue to drink despite serious family, health, or legal problems. Like many other diseases, alcoholism is chronic, meaning that it lasts a person's lifetime; it usually follows a predictable course; and it has symptoms. The risk for developing alcoholism is influenced both by a person's genes and by his or her lifestyle.Related Questions
UT Feature Story -- Attacking Alcoholism and Addiction: Wagg...Yes. The craving that an alcoholic feels for alcohol can be as strong as the need for food or water. An alcoholic will continue to drink despite serious family, health or legal problems. Like many other diseases, alcoholism is chronic, meaning that it lasts a person’s lifetime; it usually follows a predictable course; and it has symptoms. The risk for developing alcoholism is influenced both by a person’s genes and by his or her lifestyle.Related Questions
Is alcohol dependence (alcoholism) a disease?
Frequently Asked Questions relating to Alcohol Abuse and Dep...Yes, alcohol dependence (alcoholism) is a disease. Alcohol dependence alters parts of the brain from its normal healthy state, this is called disease.1 There now exists undisputable evidence provided by brain imagery scans that show differences in the brains of people dependent on alcohol vs. people who are not.1 Any ongoing debate about whether or not alcoholism is a disease results from a misunderstanding of the definition of both alcoholism and disease.2 (See Glossary.
Related QuestionsQ #1: What is alcoholism?
Drinking FAQs--Groundpickle.comAlcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease that includes the following four symptoms: Physical dependence--Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking. For clinical and research purposes, formal diagnostic criteria for alcoholism also have been developed.
Related QuestionsQ #3: Is alcoholism inherited?
Drinking FAQs--Groundpickle.comResearch shows that the risk for developing alcoholism does indeed run in families. The genes a person inherits partially explain this pattern, but lifestyle is also a factor. Currently, researchers are working to discover the actual genes that put people at risk for alcoholism. Your friends, the amount of stress in your life, and how readily available alcohol is also are factors that may increase your risk for alcoholism. But remember: Risk is not destiny.
Related QuestionsQ #4: Can alcoholism be cured?
Drinking FAQs--Groundpickle.comNo, alcoholism cannot be cured at this time. Even if an alcoholic hasn't been drinking for a long time, he or she can still suffer a relapse. To guard against a relapse, an alcoholic must continue to avoid all alcoholic beverages. (See also "Publications/Pamphlets and Brochures," Alcoholism: Getting the Facts.)
Related QuestionsQ #5: Can alcoholism be treated?
Drinking FAQs--Groundpickle.comYes, alcoholism can be treated. Alcoholism treatment programs use both counseling and medications to help a person stop drinking. Most alcoholics need help to recover from their disease. With support and treatment, many people are able to stop drinking and rebuild their lives. (See also "Publication," Alcohol Alert No. 49: New Advances in Alcoholism Treatment.)
Related QuestionsQ #5: Are there any medications for alcoholism?
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism- Frequently Asked Questions (FA...Yes. Two different types of medications are commonly used to treat alcoholism. The first are tranquilizers called benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium?, Librium?), which are used only during the first few days of treatment to help patients safely withdraw from alcohol. A second type of medication is used to help people remain sober. A recently approved medicine for this purpose is naltrexone (ReVia TM).
Related QuestionsFrequently Asked QuestionsAlcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease that includes the following four symptoms: Physical dependence--Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking. For clinical and research purposes, formal diagnostic criteria for alcoholism also have been developed.Related Questions
Q #6: Which medications treat alcoholism?
Drinking FAQs--Groundpickle.comA range of medications is used to treat alcoholism. Benzodiazepines (Valium® , Librium®) are sometimes used during the first days after a person stops drinking to help him or her safely withdraw from alcohol. These medications are not used beyond the first few days, however, because they may be highly addictive. Other medications help people remain sober. One medication used for this purpose is naltrexone (ReVia™).
Related QuestionsIs alcoholism or addiction to drugs a disease?
Stepping Stones Addiction CentreAddiction to alcohol and other drugs is a chronic disease. It carries with it a universally recognizable set of symptoms, including compulsive use of alcohol or other drugs, impaired control over drinking or drug use, preoccupation with the drug or alcohol, use of alcohol or the drug despite adverse consequences, and distortions of thinking, most notably denial. These symptoms may be continuous or periodic. Although the disease is often progressive and can be fatal, it is also treatable.
Related QuestionsCan the disease of alcoholism be prevented?
Frequently Asked Questions about Mental Health, Mental Illne...Yes, the first step in preventing alcoholism is an understanding of the disease and awareness of the early symptoms. Recognizing that alcohol is a drug and that its use includes certain potential risks is a basis for personal intervention.
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