Alcohol Dependence - Alcoholism

What is alcohol dependence?
Alcoholism, or alcohol dependence is a medical term with a deliberately more precise meaning than the problems that can occur, sometimes as one-offs, through an uncharacteristic binge.

In alcohol dependence a number of features come together in the behaviour of the person affected.

Drinking begins to take priority over other activities. It becomes a compulsion.
Tolerance develops, so it takes more alcohol to produce drunkenness.

Withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and tremor develop after a short period without a drink, and are reduced by taking more alcohol.

Often alcohol dependence remains undetected for years. Both the availability of alcohol and the way it is used (the social patterns) appear to be major factors in influencing the likelihood of a person becoming alcohol dependent.

There may also be a genetic component, because alcohol dependence clusters in some families. However, it’s hard to be sure that this is not because of learned behaviour.

What problems are caused by too much alcohol?
Excess alcohol can lead to health problems including:

depression
liver cirrhosis
heart failure
damage to the brain and nervous system.

Along the way there is often damage to relationships, finances and jobs and problems with the law.

Treating alcoholism
The difficulty of treating alcoholism should not be minimised
– it can be very hard, even with support from family, friends and your GP. However, there are a number of steps you can take including not drinking alcohol on weekdays.


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