Teaching About Alcoholism – It’s A Tough Topic

Why is Teaching About Alcoholism Important? 

Unfortunately, alcoholism is often blamed on the alcoholic themselves. It is looked at as a simple problem with a simple solution. While on the outside, it does definitely appear this way, it is often a lot more complicated than that. There needs to be more understanding of how to support somebody who is addicted to alcohol. 

Alcoholism is dangerous:

In moderation, although still bad for us, alcohol’s effect can be managed easily and we can recover. However, alcoholism can be very dangerous. Although the liver is a very forgiving organ, too much alcohol consumption on a regular basis can push it to the limit. Alcohol also has a bad effect on other organs in the body, and overuse can affect appetite, leading to an overall lack of self-care. Being run-down puts an alcoholic at higher risk of other issues.

Alcohol detox is a lot more difficult than it sounds:

Detoxification from alcohol can be very difficult. Some people might try detoxing at home, or some in an in-patient facility. Either way, it is a huge challenge, and some may face health risks even detoxing. If somebody is too dependant on alcohol, they may need medication to help wean themselves off of the alcohol. Completely cutting out alcohol at this stage can be dangerous, with some of the worst side effects being seizures or even death. Medical supervision is ideal for these cases. 

Relapse is a part of addiction:

Every addict faces a huge amount of judgement when they relapse. Relapses are common because addiction is just not an easy thing to defeat. Unfortunately, this is a difficult thing to change peoples’ perspectives on. Judgement is something that can bring out feelings of shame in somebody suffering from addiction, making them more secretive. They may hide a relapse out of shame and this could lead to further self-harm.

Underlying mental health problems:

A lot of addicts have underlying mental health problems that drive them to substance abuse. It is a way to numb the pain that they may be feeling. This is something not often obvious to those who judge somebody with alcoholism or any other addiction. 

Biological Factors:

Genetics and physiology can play a part in alcoholism. Some people have no trouble limiting their alcohol intake, while others really struggle to know when to stop. According to an article from Alcohol Rehab Guide, there are certain chemicals in the brain that can make someone more susceptible to alcohol abuse, and this could explain why alcoholism seems to run in families. 

Other Factors:

There are plenty of other factors that can play a part in the development of alcoholism. For example, living closer to shops or venues that sell alcohol may make you more likely to drink alcohol regularly. Culture, family and social circles can also have an impact on whether you drink a lot of alcohol or not. Pair this with a stressful new job or any kind of big life change and this can make a person more susceptible to alcoholism.

So there we have it, alcoholism is a lot more complex than just, ‘choosing to drink too much’.