Introduction
Alcoholism is one of the most misunderstood elements of human behavior, with different professionals having different views towards the subject. Each of the core aspects regarding alcoholism has been distorted by the underlying myth and misconception (Milam 2).
This in itself is a constraint of helping in the combating of alcoholism as a form of drug abuse. In the present times, alcoholism is taken to be an instance of moral degradation, which is as a result of life choices that are facilitated by the absence of will power and exhibition of maturity in human behavior.
The outcome of alcoholism is always perceived to be lack of maturity and the sense of self-confidence. In order to deal effectively with cases of alcoholism, it is essential to establish a line between the myths concerning alcoholism and the facts regarding alcoholism, which have already been established.
An integration of the various aspects of human behavior also plays an essential role in understanding the core issues behind alcoholism (Milam 12). Until them, the different professional views concerning the subject are long overdue from reaching a consensus regarding the subject of alcoholism.
This paper highlights the summaries of the myths and facts regarding alcoholism as presented in the book, Under the Influence, a precise explanation of alcoholism by examining the underlying causes of alcoholism and how its addiction is gradual yet inevitable.
The underlying complexity of alcohol usually makes it difficult to understand alcoholism.
For instance, in small amounts, alcohol can be perceived as exhilarating stimulant, however, in larger amounts, alcohol acts as a sedative and it is usually harmful for the human health; in the sense that regular consumption of alcohol in large amounts is usually damaging to the body cells.
Despite these dangers, alcohol remains to be one of the most addictive and abuse drugs. For example, in the United States, approximately 10 percent of the alcohol consumers in the United States are addicted and perceive alcohol as a less harmful social beverage.
The state of affairs is further worsened by the fact that alcohol is classified under the foods category, which is rich in calories and a prospective energy source for the human body.
Perhaps, the most appealing attribute associated with alcohol is its ability to relieve the distress that it has created, that is, a person suffering from withdrawal symptoms associated has only one remedy, which is getting back to drink the alcohol again (Milam 59).
This results to a continued circle of drinking, which may ultimately result to addiction if appropriate measures are not deployed to curb the disease.
A precise understanding of alcoholism requires an understanding of the substances that make up alcohol, which is a combination of the chemical, drugs and food that has the capability of inflicting extraordinary pleasure, while at the same time inflicting unusual pain.
There are various reasons why people involve themselves in the intake of alcohol, with the most principal reason to subject oneself to the perceived good effects of alcohol, which entails the euphoric feeling, stimulated and a feeling of relaxation.
Sometimes, people indulge in alcohol with the prime reason of easing ones frustrations (Milam 90). Different people take alcohol for different reasons, for example, to relieve tension, achieve a good mood, and gain confidence, while others simply drink for leisure.
The nature of alcoholism is determined by the amounts of alcohol consumption, how regular ones engage in drinking sprees and the social set up in which a person engages in drinking. Other factors such as social, economic, cultural and psychological factors come to play in influencing the drinking patterns.
The core argument is that the effects of psychological and social factors are not unique to either alcoholics or non-alcoholics; this is because they both drink together for similar reasons and that both the stimulating and energizing effects associated with indulgence in alcohol.
The only difference is that at some point, there are variations in the drinking patterns, with the alcoholic more addicted to alcohol due to intense alcoholic personality traits compared to the non-alcoholics.
Despite the perception that alcohol serves as a solution to the problems, whereby drinking is viewed as a strategy to help in forgetting of the current issues, the underlying fact is that there is an abnormal psychological reaction from within, which is responsible for the causation of increased psychological and emotional problems.
The principal argument is that psychological, cultural and social factors play an integral role in influencing a person’s drinking patterns and behavior, but have no effect in determining whether and individual becomes an alcoholic at the first instance.
Therefore, physiological differences explain why some individuals become addicted to alcohol while others are not addicted to it.
This is explained by the enzymes that are found in alcoholic substances, the hormones and genes and an integration of the brain chemistry that determines the way an individual reacts to alcohol, and ultimately addiction (Milam 100).
The fundamental predisposing factors that make individuals susceptible to alcoholism include abnormal metabolism, preference factors, heredity, prenatal influences and some instances of ethnic susceptibilities.
Stages in alcoholism
The early stage of alcoholism is marked by an adaptive stage, where the alcohol consumer has the ability to increase his alcohol intake, yet still function properly.
This implies that the alcoholic does not perceive any imminent dangers associated with the alcohol intake because there are minimal withdrawal and psychological symptoms (Milam 46). In fact, the symptoms of the disease are usually painful to notice, making it difficult to diagnose alcoholism at an early stage.
A typical characteristic of the early stage alcoholism is that it is almost impossible to convince an alcoholic in the making, and such attempts are met by intense confrontations and resistances due to the fact they do not perceive themselves as alcoholics and are aware of the developmental process associated with alcoholism.
During the early stage in alcoholism, it is normally difficult to identify and diagnose the disease, and it is usually characterized with increased adjustments in the liver and the central nervous systems, intense tolerance to alcohol and enhanced performance after indulgence in alcohol.
Responses associated with adaptations are rapid enough for the individual to notice. Adaptation plays a vital role during the onset of alcoholism. An outcome of tolerance to alcohol is improved performance.
Performance differences at an early stage can be used to differentiate alcoholic from non-alcoholic in the sense that when a non-alcoholic stop drinking, his physical and psychological performance is enhanced.
Tolerance, on the other hand, refers to the ability to withstand the short term of effects of alcohol and large amounts of alcohol before succumbing to them through occurrences such as passing out.
The middle stage of alcoholism is the second stage in the development phases of alcoholism.
In most individuals, there are clear cut distinctions between the transitions from an early phase of alcoholism to the middle phase of alcoholism. A significant characteristic of this phase is iterative drinking with the intent of addressing the pains inflicted by previous drinking instances.
The fundamental characteristics of the middle stage alcoholism include physical dependence, which is characterized by acute and protracted withdrawal syndromes; cases of craving and intense loss of control.
Physical dependence is characterized by an increase in alcohol tolerance and the body cells become adapted to withstanding high levels of alcohol amounts (Milam 70).
Craving is characterized by an increasing desire to consume alcohol. Craving is normally developmental and its effects are based on the fact that the alcoholic has developed physical dependence.
Loss of control is characterized by the lack of the ability of the person to restrict drinking to social places and during recommended times. In most cases, the person prioritizes drinking at the expense of the daily undertakings.
The late deteriorative stage of alcoholism is the last phase of alcoholism and usually characterized by increased symptoms as a result of the toxicity and damage to the body organs. At this stage, the tolerance levels are reducing because of the intense liver damage and impairments in the Central Nervous Systems.
Also, the mental and physical health are significantly impaired, due to the fact the individual spends most of his times drinking. In fact, it can be said the person lives solely for the sake of alcohol.
Some of the health complications associated with the late stage of alcoholism include heart failures, liver Cirrhosis, respiratory tract diseases, pancreatic, cancer, and ultimately death if alcoholism is not addressed in a timely fashion.
Work cited
Milam, James. Under the Influence. New York: Bantam Books, 1983. Print.