Definition of Alcoholism – When Does Drinking Become Addiction?

The line between innocent, occasional alcohol consumption and addiction is incredibly thin. Does the periodic need to drink make someone an alcoholic? What is alcoholism and how do you deal with it? Although these questions are not easy, modern science provides comprehensive answers.

What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a chronic and progressive disease based on alcohol abuse. It manifests itself in a constant need to drink and experiencing unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms that appear as a result of stopping alcohol consumption. Alcohol problems are multidimensional phenomena. Regardless of the accepted definition of alcoholism, this disease should be considered in interdisciplinary categories – on medical, psychological, social, as well as philosophical and legal levels. Read also: Hemorrhoids and Alcohol

Different Names for Alcoholism

Alcoholism is known under various names. The most commonly used include:

• alcohol addiction

• alcohol use disorder

• alcohol dependency syndrome

Alcoholism is also referred to as alcohol dependence syndrome, and it was classified under this name by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Alcoholism – WHO Definition

One of the most commonly accepted definitions of alcohol addiction is the definition contained in the International Classification of Diseases, developed by the World Health Organization. In this document, alcohol use disorder is presented as: "A state of psychic and usually also physical changes caused by alcohol use, characterized by specific behavioral and other reactions that typically include a tendency to constant or periodic alcohol use in order to experience its psychic effects, and sometimes also – to avoid the bad feeling resulting from the lack of alcohol. Tolerance may increase (...)" According to this definition, alcohol abuse is associated with the occurrence of:

• physical dependence, being a state of biological adaptation to alcohol, in which the body cannot function properly without a constant supply of ethanol; interruption or limitation of alcohol consumption in this case results in the occurrence of bodily function disorders, known as withdrawal syndrome or abstinence symptoms.

• psychological dependence, understood as the need for frequent or constant alcohol consumption in order to repeat the experiences accompanying its use

as well as the possibility of increased alcohol tolerance, which means the drinking person reaches a state in which consuming the same dose of ethanol produces increasingly weaker effects. To achieve the same effect as before, it is necessary to drink increasingly larger amounts of alcohol. According to World Health Organization guidelines, to diagnose alcohol use disorder in a drinking person, at least six of the following symptoms must occur within a year:

• alcohol craving, i.e., a strong, irresistible need to reach for alcohol

• withdrawal syndrome, accompanied by such ailments as:

trembling of various body parts, primarily hands, often also eyelids or tongue,- irritability,- weakness and general malaise,- sleep disorders,- increased sweating,- nausea and vomiting,- headaches and dizziness,- increased blood pressure,- heart palpitations,- hypersensitivity to light and sounds,- anxiety states.

• alternating consumption of alcoholic beverages and other substances with similar effects

• limited control over one's own behaviors related to drinking alcohol

• occurrence of alcohol tolerance

• neglecting previous interests in favor of drinking alcohol

• continuous alcohol consumption despite clear negative effects on physical and mental health as well as social life.

Alcohol use disorder is a serious condition leading to the deterioration of the body and health.

Reward System and Alcohol

Drinking alcohol impairs the function of the reward system – a brain structure responsible for motivation and experiencing pleasure and satisfaction. Ethanol contained in alcoholic beverages disrupts metabolic processes of nerve cells, leading to a decrease in their activity. Alcohol consumption causes stimulation of neurotransmitters and the release of large amounts of dopamine, the so-called happiness hormone. It is the experience of pleasure from drinking that marks the beginning of alcoholism. Although the function of the reward system is necessary for the proper functioning of the human body, in a situation where dopamine release is too intense, the human body is unable to control the excitation of pleasure caused by the neurotransmitter. A person begins to feel cravings that lead to more frequent drinking in larger quantities.

Alcoholic – Definition

A person suffering from alcohol use disorder is called an alcoholic. They feel a strong, intrusive need to consume alcoholic beverages as well as increasing tension, anxiety, and irritability. According to the definition of an alcoholic, such a person is dependent on alcohol both physically and psychologically and is unable to control their consumption and accompanying behaviors. Attempts to stop drinking cause the occurrence of withdrawal syndrome symptoms, the severity of which quickly leads to renewed consumption. The alcoholic begins to consume alcohol to alleviate them. By providing the body with a dose of ethanol, the dependent person restores their energy and the ability to concentrate and think logically. However, this state does not last long – alcohol is gradually excreted from the body, and withdrawal symptoms return over time. The alcoholic reaches for alcohol again, and the vicious circle closes.

Can Alcoholism Be Cured?

Alcoholism is a disease that cannot be completely cured. However, thanks to proper therapy and maintaining appropriate mental hygiene, a person dependent on alcohol has a good chance of quitting drinking forever. Treatment of alcohol use disorder is handled by the private network of clinics Nasz Gabinet. The facility offers alcohol detoxification, outpatient and aversion treatment, as well as psychological help in the form of psychotherapy.

Outpatient Treatment of Alcoholism

People suffering from alcohol use disorder can undergo outpatient treatment in one of the medical departments of the Nasz Gabinet center, receiving care in many cities throughout Poland. These facilities work with trained and experienced specialists in the field of addiction therapy, who provide patients with appropriate care and support them in the fight against addiction. See also: Disulfiram – What Is It?

Alcohol Detoxification

Alcohol detoxification is used in the treatment of alcoholism. This procedure involves administering fluids and medications tailored to the individual needs of the patient in order to interrupt the drinking binge and eliminate burdensome and often also dangerous to health and life symptoms of withdrawal syndrome.

Aversion Treatment

Nasz Gabinet also uses aversion treatment of alcoholism, which consists of Esperal implantation, the so-called alcohol implant. The drug contained in the implant causes severe side effects as a result of alcohol consumption. This allows the development of a system of conditioned reflexes in the patient, which ultimately help to abstain from drinking.

Psychological Help in Treating Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol use disorder causes deterioration not only of physical but also mental health. Specialists from the Nasz Gabinet center help dependent people overcome the fear of abstinence and living in sobriety, enabling them to begin a healthier life free from addiction.

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