Alcohol Abuse Is Destructive.

A person who has been abusing alcohol has probably been doing it over a long period of time. This means the way the think has been altered. Alcoholics are more prone to commit acts of violence against their family members. This means it is very hard to live with a person who is abusing alcohol because their perception of reality is twisted. This is due to the effect the alcohol is having on the brain. This will get worse if the drinking doesn't stop. This is the hard part. People who are addicted to alcohol or drugs often don't see or care if their behavior is unacceptable. It usually takes a massive incident to bring the alcoholic to his or her senses. But even then there is a big chance they will change their mind and try to back out of going into a rehab facility.

If a parent is abusing alcohol it is particularly hard on the children. They suffer emotional trauma when they witness the behavior of the alcoholic. If that behavior is violent towards the other parent or the children this will cause lasting problems for the family. Bear in mind the children will also have a high risk of becoming alcoholics themselves. This is why it is very important to break the cycle of alcohol abuse. Alcoholics go through a cycle of emotions. They drink because they don't know how to control their craving for alcohol. The huge amounts of alcohol changes their perception and thinking. They behave extremely badly and deeply hurt and embarrass those close to them. When the alcoholic is in a sober state and realizes what has happened, he or she is very remorseful and guilty. These feelings drive them to drink even more because they can't cope.

Simply defined, alcoholic addiction is an obsessive need for the drug alcohol, typically in the form of beer, wine or other kinds of hard liquor. Alcoholism is a disease that is difficult if not near impossible to control and the person with the addiction experiences intense cravings for alcohol.

While many people think that alcoholics simply lack the willpower to stop drinking, it's not that simple. Like many other forms of addiction, alcoholics need help to manage their addiction and to stop drinking. But it is not always that easy and they require support in order to rebuild their lives.

It is believed that someone with a history of alcoholic addiction in their family is more likely to develop a dependency on alcohol than someone with a clear family history. As alcohol is a drug many use it to relax and escape their social circumstances. Or they turn to it to cope with traumatic experiences that they've had.

Alcohol addiction can be mentally and physically destructive, destroying people's lives and their relationships. It leads alcoholics to do things they would ordinarily not do while they are sober. It has been a major factor in many crimes, including violent crimes as well as suicide and accidental death.

The long-term abuse of alcohol can reduce the life expectancy of alcoholics by 10 to 15 years as well as increase the risk of liver disease, heart disease and cancer. While the intoxicating effects of alcohol are well known, it can also disturb the function and structure of the central nervous system. This hinders cognitive ability and the ability to process information. It destroys brain cells and leads to brain damage. The risk of cancer along the digestive tract is also increased, especially the mouth, esophagus and stomach.

The liver is perhaps the most susceptible organ to alcohol abuse. The liver has a specific rate at which it breaks down alcohol. Because it breaks down a large amount of alcohol that is consumed, it can become overused and damaged if there is too much alcohol in a person's system.

Liver damage through alcohol abuse occurs in three stages:

* The liver is enlarged by abnormal fatty tissue that penetrates the liver cells.

* Alcoholic hepatitis sets in which is the swelling, inflammation and eventual death of the liver cells.

* Blood flow through the liver is hindered by occurrence of cirrhosis as fibrous scar tissue is formed throughout the liver.

Any person can become addicted to alcohol. But those who have a family history of alcoholism are more at risk. Treating alcohol addiction is difficult. It is best for the alcoholic to enter a rehab facility. There he or she will get all the latest treatments. This is a disease that involves the mental state and emotional state and requires professional help from counselors and psychologists. It is just far too complex for a family member or friend to deal with. The best such a person can do for a loved one in the grips of alcoholism is to encourage them to go for treatment. Let them know you will support them every step of the way. This is important because it takes a great deal of courage for an alcoholic to give up what they crave.

Alcohol addiction can start at any age. There are people in their early teens that are already addicted to this substance. In this circumstance if the teen can get the problem sorted out now they have a far better chance of having a good life. If not, they are going to waste years and years on a life that is destructive not only to them but also to those they are close to. Young people often have a false sense of security. They believe they can stop one day in the future when they choose to. Sadly, this never happens. If alcoholics don't stop drinking they will drink themselves to death. Many family doctors have the unpleasant task of warning their patients of this very real danger.

It must be understood that alcohol addiction is physical and emotional. To start off with the person usually has serious emotional problems that could even stem from childhood. If a person from a perfectly happy and stable background starts drinking they will end up with many emotional problems. All this has to be faced and sorted out. Emotional baggage is a heavy load to carry whether you are addicted to alcohol or not. But to have to go through the physical withdrawal symptoms of getting off alcohol as well as sort out all the issues that have arisen over the years does need professional assistance and encouragement from family and friends. The only way an alcoholic can turn their lives around is seek help and get with the program. A life free from addiction of any kind is a life worth living.