What is Alcohol Abuse?

 

Alcohol addiction is a common issue that affects men and women of all ages and from all walks of life. Alcoholism can develop slowly, with social drinkers gradually becoming more and more dependent on alcohol to help them relax and unwind. Alcoholism can destroy relationships and can also cause a lot of health problems.

The effects of alcohol abuse include increased risk of cancer and heart disease, as well as liver problems in people who drink heavily for prolonged periods of time. In addition to these physical consequences, there are social consequences of alcohol abuse. Alcoholics are more likely to be unemployed, live in poverty, suffer from domestic violence issues, and get divorced. It is also common for alcoholics to either be depressed, or to develop depression as a result of their long term drinking.

Alcohol abuse puts a lot of strain on families. It is common for family members to feel that they must cover for the alcoholic, both financially and socially. An alcoholic parent can cause emotional trauma to their children that can persist long into adulthood, and may lead to the child going on to become an alcoholic themselves.

The good news is that there is support available for people who are trying to recover from alcohol and drug abuse. There are many alcohol abuse treatment centers in the country that can provide advice on how to beat alcoholism, including both physical and psychological support. Recovering alcoholics that have a close support network of family and friends are more likely to get, and stay, sober than those who have already distanced themselves from those around them because of their addiction, but anyone who is willing to make a concerted effort to beat their addiction will benefit from working with an alcohol abuse treatment center.