Alcoholism Illness

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is indeed a very common and serious chronic illness that affects many persons around the world and should not be regarded as a weakness. It is a legitimate disease with known symptoms and an unpredictable course. There is no clear answer why only some persons become addicted to alcohol while others do not. It has been noted, however, that alcoholism does have a genetic component. Nevertheless, this alone is not enough to determine one's likelihood of becoming an alcoholic. Your life circumstances, environment and personal drinking habits play a major role in the development of this disease.

Because of the varied effects of alcoholism (physical, psychological, financial, etc.), it is important that the treatment be approached in a multidisciplinary manner. This will include input from doctors, nurses, counselors and social workers. As with any other disease, the management of alcoholism begins with a proper diagnosis and the formulation of a thorough and appropriate treatment plan. This may include a combination of medication, counseling and support groups.

Medications are often very effective in the treatment of alcoholism. The drug most currently developed and widely used is Campral (acamprosate calcium). This drug helps to maintain abstinence in persons who started their treatment regime alcohol-free. It is presumed to restore the brain's chemical balance, thus making it easier for people not to drink and is generally used in conjunction with psychological support for best outcomes. Other medications that may be used include Revia (naltrexone) and Antabuse (disulfiram), the latter of which is the oldest drug on the market for this purpose. Antabuse induces severe illness with the consumption of even small amounts of alcohol, while Revia reduces the alcohol-induced "high".

It is important to understand that stopping alcohol consumption is only the first step to recovery. Ultimately, behavior change is essential to achieve long term abstinence from alcohol. Specifically, it is the behaviours and the specific circumstances which led to the abuse of alcohol which must be addressed. This may be done through group therapy or individual counseling. There are three common types of behavior therapy which have proven to be effective in promoting alcohol abstinence. These are: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy which attempts to modify behavior by examining the effect of your thought process on your actions; Motivation Enhancement Therapy which positively reinforces accomplishments and good practices; and 12- Step Facilitation Therapy which focuses on short-term goals in a graduated road map at a measured pace.

Note that treatment must be individualized since no single medication and behavioral treatment therapy will be effective for everyone.

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