Many of us enjoy a drink from time to time. But if you develop a dependence on alcohol then your life can spiral out of control. Being an alcoholic, or knowing one in your close circle of friends and family, can become an incredibly painful and traumatic experience. Sure, it’s all fun in the beginning, when a drinker can light-heartedly make jokes about his level of alcohol consumption, but often they are blind to the pain they are causing to those around them. What is alcoholism? Alcoholism is a chronic disease where a person has an incredibly hard time in controlling their desire to consume alcohol. Once they have poured that first drink, it can be difficult to know when to stop and often they won’t until they reach the point of passing out. It’s not uncommon for the alcoholic to then commence drinking in the early hours of the morning. Latest findings show that eight million Americans suffer from alcoholism. Regardless of the consequences of their drinking, they will continue with their habits, as they simply do not have the self-control to stop. Their dependence on alcohol can be as extreme as any normal person’s dependence on oxygen or food for survival.

As you can imagine, an extremely high level of alcohol consumption can wreak havoc on one’s health, both mentally and physically: Cirrhosis of the liver The liver plays an incredibly important role within the body; removing toxins and waste products, regulating blood levels, supporting immunity, assisting in the metabolism of protein and carbohydrates, producing bile and even storing important vitamins and minerals for future use. In fact, 500 different functions have been linked to the liver. As alcohol is a toxin, the liver works to break down and remove the alcohol through bile or blood, which is then sent to the intestines before leaving the body as urine via the kidneys. An alcoholic jeopardizes the hard working functions of the liver and cirrhosis of the liver is the most serious and also the most common disease that comes as a result of long-term alcoholism. Cirrhosis can be recognized as the gradual overtaking of healthy liver cells by scar tissue, which is irreversible damage. This scar tissue doesn’t happen over weeks or months, rather it develops slowly over years of heavy drinking. Cirrhosis remains as the 8th leading cause of death in the United States, and ranks 13th in global figures.

There are many factors that may cause someone to heavily rely on alcohol each day. These factors can be enough to drive drinking habits on their own or it may be many combined factors that fuel the fire: Socially accepted activity: How many movies, TV series, huge billboards or other advertisements would you say you’ve seen, where the cast are casually enjoying a glass of wine or beer after a long day? Although alcohol is a drug, it’s not frowned upon like other heavy drugs are, such as cocaine or heroin. Rather, it can even be viewed as a refreshing, ice-cold beverage to be enjoyed by all. In general, drinking is socially accepted and a lot of the time even encouraged amongst groups of friends or peers. Alcohol companies also spend billions of dollars on marketing materials that show how refreshing their beverages are, ensuring their images are stuck in your mind when you’re feeling thirsty. All of these social factors influence your drinking habits and can over time, lead to heavy drinking. Genetic factors: It’s important to note that the underlying cause of one’s drinking problems may in fact be genetic.The risk of developing alcoholism through genes is as high as 60%.

Just about everyone has heard of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is a support group offered to those suffering from addiction to alcohol. The idea behind the group, is that the members meet regularly to discuss the trials and tribulations of their experience overcoming their addiction. The Alcoholics Anonymous program generally includes: Admitting to the fact that they have no control over their alcohol consumption, and that their life revolves around drinking. Recognizing the key figures in their life that they have harmed emotionally, or even physically through their addiction, and be willing to recover those relationships. Being offered the chance to become religious or turn to God if they choose to do so. Choosing not to regret the past, but rather moving into a brighter future. Above all else, the sole requirement of the membership is to stop drinking. Recommended Read:  The 5-Day Alcohol Detox Program It is based on a 12-step program which was first developed by Bill Wilson and Bob Smith in 1935. The program is governed by the idea that alcoholism isn’t a lack of willpower, but rather a disease. Both of the founders of the 12 step program believed that “Turning one’s life, and will, over to a personally meaning ‘higher power’ is the key to recovery”.

Given that modern medicine is now revealing the many underlying factors of alcoholism, new treatments are offering more success. The modern approach intertwines a number of strategies, rather than relying on one: Medication While this is still a relatively new field to be explored, medications have been developed that block alcohol-brain interactions. There are three leading brands on the market, that have been approved for use by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). They are as follows: Antabuse (disulfiram): If you consume alcohol while being on Antabuse, your body is prevented from breaking down the compounds found in alcohol, which leads to unpleasant side-effects such as vomiting, headaches and even heart attacks. Of course the user has to take the medication each day, for it to be effective. ReVia (naltrexone): Remember that alcohol entices a huge dopamine release? Well this drug works to block that feel-good effect of alcohol, and instead leaves the user feeling not much at all. Campral (acamprosate): Helps to withdraw the craving for alcohol by altering the brain chemistry. It also can help in dealing with the side-effects of withdrawing from alcohol such as insomnia, depression or anger. Recommended Read:  The 5-Day Alcohol Detox Program Cirrhosis treatment With cirrhosis of the liver being one of the most serious consequences of heavy drinking, the need for adequate treatment at the earliest possibility is important for saving remaining healthy tissue within the liver and preventing complete malfunction.