Treatment and causes of alcoholism

The human race has been drinking alcohol for thousands of years now, and most of the world’s population enjoys it. Yet, there are some people that lose control, and spiral into alcoholism. In fact, between 10 to 23 percent of alcohol-consuming people are considered to be alcoholic.
Even though alcoholism is extensively researched, it isn’t completely clear what causes alcoholism in a particular individual. There can be one or more of a variety of factors that cause a person to get addicted to alcohol.

• Genetics: Controversial research states that some people are genetically inclined towards alcoholism. Studies have shown that adopted children with alcoholic biological parents are more likely to develop alcoholism. New research claims that a particular gene, when inherited a certain way (D2 Dopamine receptor gene), may make a person susceptible to alcoholism. Also, men are twice as likely to become alcoholics.
• Emotional and psychological factors: A person’s state of mind can also cause him or her to become an alcoholic. Emotional pain, such as after a break up or death of a loved one, high stress levels or anxiety can cause a person to drink too much, leading to alcoholism. Some stress hormones may also be responsible. Low self-esteem or depression may also drive one towards alcoholism. In these cases, it may be difficult to distance oneself from peers who may encourage it.
• Social factors: Drinking most often begins due to peer pressure, and is often encouraged by peer groups. Drinking alcohol is also portrayed in films and media as glamorous, and this encourages many teens towards alcoholism.
• Physical dependence on alcohol develops slowly with excessive use. Alcohol alters the balance of some chemicals present in the brain. Because of this, one needs alcohol to feel good or to avoid feeling bad.

Treatment for Alcoholism:

• The kind of treatment that one takes for alcoholism depends on the personality of the patient and the severity of the illness. First of all, the patient must be made to understand that it is, indeed, a disease, and must resolve to help himself. Treatment can include detoxification, where the body is cleansed of alcohol. This can be done through juice treatment, enema and diets.
• Medicines may also be prescribed to decrease dependence on alcohol, but care and counselling have been shown to be much more effective, long term strategies to deal with alcohol. Group counselling, as provided by Alcoholics Anonymous have been shown to be extremely helpful. Specialised therapists can use psychotherapy to help.
• Some alternative therapies are also available, which include acupuncture, which have been shown to be useful.