Alcohol is a widely consumed and socially accepted part of western social culture, and many myths and attitudes towards drinking exist, some positive, some negative, which sometimes serve to confuse when it comes to the question of problem drinking. At Charter we take a simple approach to the complex subject of alcoholism. If when you drink, trouble follows, then you owe it to yourself to take a good look at what is going on.
Alcohol addiction or alcoholism is a condition suffered by a significant proportion of adults in the UK (as many as one in twelve, according to some studies). Alcoholic drinking patterns vary, but almost always involve an element of compulsion (an irresistible urge to drink), loss of control (of drinking, behaviour and life manageability) and feelings of shame, guilt and anger associated with the use of alcohol. The alcoholic or problem drinker frequently drinks to find some kind of 'fix' for life's difficulties; without alcohol, the sufferer is left in a vacuum and life seems next to impossible.
Sooner or later, sometimes in almost no time at all, alcohol itself becomes foremost among the problems which the alcoholic started drinking in order to fix, and the need to drink starts to dictate the terms on which the alcoholic's life is lived. A spiral of unmanageability develops and there can seem to be no way out. Severe consequences result – physical, emotional, professional and social, and family related; yet the drinking continues and usually worsens.
Distinctions exist between behaviours variously described as 'problem drinking', 'alcohol abuse', 'alcohol addiction', 'binge drinking' and so on, whereas in casual conversation these phrases are often used interchangeably. There are many different manifestations of 'having a drink problem'. But this is a secondary consideration. If you are seeking help for yourself or someone you know and you suspect alcohol is part of the problem, you are likely to be right. In fact, most alcoholics, though outwardly and inwardly full of denial of their condition, know in their hearts that they are in the grip of a serious problem which they have lost the ability to control.
The plain fact is this: what causes problems, is a problem. If alcohol is fuelling distress and causing trouble in your life, whether in relationships or in the family, at work, financially, physically or emotionally, then your relationship with alcohol needs to be addressed. In the vast majority of cases, the problem is not going to go away on its own: in fact, alcoholism is a progressive condition that worsens over time.
Having a problem with drinking is not about the amount consumed, the frequency of drinking or the time of day when drinking usually starts. However, where large amounts of alcohol are being consumed on a daily basis (which is where most untreated drink problems end up), a further element of risk is introduced: physical dependency. This is where the body requires alcohol in order to function at all (the drinker has developed a 'positive cellular craving' for alcohol). It is not commonly understood that withdrawal symptoms from alcohol are potentially fatal, and need to be managed in a medically supervised way. At Charter we can advise you on your best options for a safe detox either at home or in a clinical environment.
In addition to the effects of alcohol on destroying lives and families through the behaviours and consequences of addiction, the health risks of alcohol abuse are serious. Cognitive and emotional impairment results from the start, including impairment of judgement which increases the risk of serious accident and involvement in dangerous situations. Long-term consumption of alcohol in excessive quantities is capable of damaging almost every organ and system in the body. As the length of excessive drinking increases, the chances of severe damage to health increase. Damage to the central nervous system, potentially severe impairment of brain function and development and damage to the cardiovascular system, liver and pancreas are most common. Alcohol also increases the risk of cancer of the throat and mouth, liver, pancreas and digestive system, amongst others.
At your assessment at Charter we can help you to look carefully at your drinking, understand where things are going wrong, and advise what treatment options will be best for you.