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Many people see alcohol abuse as a choice, a product of someone’s lifestyle and something they should be able to control. However, the truth is that alcoholism is a disease, as valid as any other, and should be treated with the care that other mental illnesses receive.
Alcoholism can develop from a number of factors, including genetic predisposition or physical reliance upon it over time. When alcohol alters the chemical balance in the brain it is considered to be an addiction and is usually caused by prolonged drinking of large quantities. Excessive drinking leads to a decrease of neuro-chemicals in the brain, which causes the body to crave alcohol because it can no longer produce feel-good endorphins on its own. There are also social, cultural, or internal factors such as depression or low self esteem that lead to alcoholism. People who use alcohol to block out negative feelings are also at risk, as are those with a family history.
If we view alcoholism as a mental illness and do not relegate the ability to get well solely to an individual, there are many treatment avenues available that deal with the body’s chemical dependency, in addition to the effects on the brain and behavior. Health wellness facilities nationwide offer treatment combinations that include counseling and medical support to ease withdrawal symptoms, and also teach coping mechanisms and provide access to rehabilitation centers.
It is never too soon to talk to someone about alcoholism, or address the potential for it in your own life. The effects of drinking are dangerous and long term, and include liver damage, osteoporosis, cardiovascular problems, stomach ailments, and an increased risk for many different types of cancer.
The bottom line, as advised by doctors and psychiatrists alike, is that to be mentally and physically healthy a person must drink only in moderation, and never rely upon it as a way to cope, feel good, or fit in.
