Scientifically, alcoholism is an addiction disorder characterised by compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Alcohol abuse is the continued use of alcohol despite it causing problems in your life.
The type of alcohol, the volume or frequency of consumption is not a key part of the definition.
Alcoholism is the dependence on alcohol where the person cannot control their drinking habits, and their alcoholism will cause problems in relationships with friends and family.
It is a chronic, often hereditary disease characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with alcohol and the use of alcohol despite adverse consequences.
It’s important that the addict acknowledges their relationship with alcohol is to their detriment and their inability to stop consuming.
Some of the signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse include:
Using alcohol as a tool or coping mechanism to feel better when feeling sad, angry or lonely
Alcohol interfering with home, school or work
Needing more alcohol to feel the same buzz as before
Waking up after drinking excessively and not remembering anything that happened while drunk (blackouts)
Drinking in dangerous situations and continuing to drink despite the risk of injury or death.
Feeling guilty about the amount of time spent on drinking
Alcoholism affects every part of a person's life, including their relationships with friends and family members.
Alcoholism can disrupt the stability of the family because it leads to arguments, neglect of responsibilities and poor communication.
Alcoholism may also lead to violence in the home, which means alcoholism can negatively affect marriages and can lead to divorce or separation.
People with alcoholism will often neglect their children by not providing food, clothing or shelter.
The cost of continued alcohol abuse over one’s lifetime, both personal and financial, is far more than the cost and effort of investing in treatment options for your addiction.
The cost of getting treatment at a residential rehabilitation facility may seem like a large investment but consider the financial cost of the following as a result of untreated alcoholism & alcohol abuse.
The loss of employment and ongoing employment opportunities from drinking at work
The impact of alcoholism on work performance has been found to lower current and future income prospects
The ongoing expense of alcohol consumption and its impact on savings
The acquisition of debt to fund one’s lifestyle and the intertwining of stress from debt and drinking to relieve stress
The cost of divorce and separation as a result of alcoholism
The damage from drink driving on employment and income prospects
There are a variety of treatment options for alcoholism, including:
Inpatient Treatment: Inpatient treatments are the most effective form of treatment. These treatments require the person to be admitted into a hospital, detox facility or residential treatment centre for a while. Noosa Confidential is a residential treatment centre that offers detox, rehabilitation and ongoing aftercare.
Outpatient Treatment: alcoholism treatments that allow the person to live at home while also getting help for their alcoholism from a counsellor, therapist, or support group.
Family Therapy: family therapy is recommended because alcoholism affects every part of a person's life including relationships with friends and family members.
Sober Living: sober living provides an environment for people who are considered 'high risk' to work on not drinking and staying sober.
Self-help Groups: self-help groups offer temporary relief
If you have someone in your family or friendship group struggling with alcoholism, there are several ways you can help them deal with the challenge.
Listen without judgment
Encourage the person to reach out for help from a professional alcoholism treatment service like Noosa Confidential
Encourage them to join an alcoholism support group.
Noosa Confidential delivers a safe and effective, solution-focused program to eliminate the need to seek comfort through the use of alcohol.
Our Alcohol Rehabilitation & treatment programs are highly personalised, have a proven approach to identify and address the underlying drivers and triggers that are causing the behaviour of alcohol addiction.
Working with no more than 5 guests at a time ensures the highest level of individualised care available in Australia.
Whether you are reaching out on your own behalf or that of a loved one, we can help.
