| Alcoholism is a disease in which drinkers have lost the | | | | a high number of traffic tickets. |
| ability to control their drinking, leading to physical and | | | | Family members need to develop an awareness of |
| mental harm and loss of ability to behave in a socially | | | | the disease and talk with the alcoholic. Most alcoholics |
| acceptable manner. Alcoholism is a chronic, | | | | are in denial and talking to the person about their |
| progressive, pathological condition that affects the | | | | disease can be very difficult. Choose a time when |
| nervous and digestive system, caused by the inability | | | | the person is sober. In addition, talking to the person |
| to stop drinking despite adverse consequences such | | | | after an alcoholic problem as occurred, such as a |
| as loss of job, family, and health. The disease is | | | | family argument, or a drunken driving ticket, for |
| potentially fatal, however the most disturbing and | | | | example, may be a good time to talk. Unfortunately |
| debilitating part of alcoholism is the loss of | | | | waiting for a problem to occur from alcoholic |
| self-respect, the possible job loss, and the toll it | | | | behaviors can have serious consequences. |
| takes on the alcoholics family. There is also indication | | | | Family members coping with an alcoholic or addict can |
| that there may be a genetic component with | | | | cause a great deal of stress in the family life. |
| alcoholism. | | | | Therefore, there are support groups for Al-Alteen |
| The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug | | | | for children and teenagers. Al-Anon is for the spouse |
| Dependence defines alcoholism as characterized by | | | | or loved one that has to cope with an alcoholic. |
| "impaired control over dinking...and distortions in | | | | These groups teach family members on how to cope |
| thinking, most notably denial." This means that for | | | | with the alcoholic and process their emotions. |
| many alcoholics, they are unable to make a decision | | | | There are studies that want you to believe that |
| to stop drinking without the help of others. | | | | alcoholism is not a disease. They are wrong. |
| Symptoms of the disease include but are not limited | | | | Alcoholism is a disease and while there is no cure, it is |
| to sneaking drinks, lying about the amount consumed, | | | | treatable. If it were not a disease, insurance |
| irritability when alcohol is not available, mood swings, | | | | companies would not pay for treatment. |
| loss of appetite, a puffiness of the face, job loss and | | | | |