According to research, while some people develop an addiction to alcohol as a result of family history, childhood abuse, or low self-esteem, others do so as a result of societal pressure or to fit in with a certain group of people. However, regardless of the factors that lead a person to consume alcohol, the bittersweet reality is that the journey from “one drink” to “one last drink” is rarely anticipated.
It is so because, contrary to popular belief, once a person reaches a critical threshold of alcohol abuse, dependence, and tolerance, he or she develops an addiction to alcohol. By this point, his/her brain chemistry has been altered as a result of substance use, making it extremely difficult for him/her to quit alcohol due to the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
It is also critical to understand the distinction between alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse. Those who abuse alcohol usually consume a lot of it, but not on a regular basis. Such people are reckless or have a proclivity to mix drugs and alcohol, which can result in alcohol poisoning. Furthermore, abuse can lead to addiction, but not the other way around. Alcohol addiction, on the other hand, encompasses all aspects-dependence, abuse, and tolerance.
India’s Alcohol Addiction Situation
Our country’s average alcohol consumption per adult is lower than that of any other developed country, such as the United States, but there are many heavy drinkers among young Indians. In our country, men are more likely than women to consume alcohol. According to reports, male drinkers consumed approximately 18.3 litres of alcoholic beverages per capita in 2020. Isn’t it a source of concern?
According to one study, more than 88 percent of young Indians under the age of 25 buy alcohol. It is even illegal in a few states. This was one of the reasons for alcohol restrictions or bans in some of our country’s states.
Mumbai ranks first among Indian metropolises in terms of alcohol consumption. Over here, 39 percent of total wine consumption occurs. After Mumbai, Delhi consumes 23% and Bengaluru consumes 20%.
Recognising the warning signs of alcoholism
Alcohol consumes both the body and the mind of the person who consumes it. While there are numerous warning signs of drug and alcohol addiction, the disruption to normal life caused by alcohol addiction has serious consequences for the afflicted person’s thoughts, feelings, and actions.
As a result, even if alcoholism does not appear to be a real problem, it is a major threat. To avoid being trapped, keep an eye out for the following red flags:
- Relying on alcohol for every joyous or sad occasion.
- Prefer to drink alone rather than with others.
- Lying about one’s drinking behaviour and habits.
- Binge drink whenever and wherever you can.
- Negligence toward one’s own health and responsibilities.
- After drinking, reckless behaviour or a lack of fear of the law or rules.
- Blackouts on a regular basis, resulting in impaired memory functioning.
- Weight gain as a result of slow nutrient absorption from food
- Development of tolerance to the substance.
- Withdrawal symptoms that are as bad as a hangover.
Understanding the effects of alcohol consumption on your body
Alcohol is not a panacea for any problem. Its dependence, abuse, or addiction is, in fact, a problem in and of itself.
The resulting changes in brain chemistry caused by alcohol addiction have an impact on the afflicted person’s physical and mental well-being. Existing issues aggravate and comorbid disorders develop when left untreated. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis and receiving appropriate treatment can often be a pipe dream if the consulting expert is unable to determine whether the symptoms are the result of an addiction or a mental illness.
How to Help Someone who is addicted to alcohol?
If you or someone you know is experiencing the above-mentioned signs and symptoms of alcoholism, your assistance can be invaluable.
With your help, they can make recovery a priority, and everything they care about does not have to take a back seat. When this occurs, the addict learns to persevere and is remembered for his or her recovery rather than his or her addiction.
Here are some suggestions for how to assist someone suffering from alcohol addiction:
- Learn about the nuances of alcohol addiction by consulting published resources and qualified experts.
- Encourage them to be open about their difficulties so that you can assist them in finding alternatives or solutions.
- Inform them of the impact their habits are having on you/others so that they do not take you/others for granted in the future.
- Demonstrate to them that you are always on their side, no matter how bad or good the situation is.
- Persuade them to join a support group or attend community meetings to learn from others who are going through similar experiences.
- Make time to take them to detox or therapy sessions whenever possible, so they don’t feel isolated or demotivated.
- Make a no-drinking pact and occasionally reward each other for living a sober lifestyle to set a good example.
- Be forgiving and avoid blaming them for anything bad that happens in their life, even if it is true.
- When they are inebriated, avoid confronting them or engaging in an argument with them.
- Remember to keep an eye on your own physical and mental health while attempting to assist others.
- Refrain from drinking to relieve stress or find an easy solution.
- When no positive results are visible, persuade them to seek a second opinion from another qualified expert.
Alcoholism can be overcome.
Whether a person is an occasional, regular, or heavy drinker, the truth is that alcohol does not discriminate when it comes to affecting the user’s body and mind. It gradually develops into an addiction, and instead of the person abusing alcohol, alcohol begins to abuse him/her back.
The good news is that alcoholism is treatable. Seeking a full, healthy, and long-term recovery from alcohol addiction is possible with the assistance of a comprehensive treatment programme that includes therapy, detox, self-care, and a relapse prevention strategy. The key is to consult with a qualified addiction expert who has experience dealing with patients suffering from addiction as well as comorbid disorders.He or she can also teach family members/loved ones of the afflicted person how to help someone with alcoholism.
You, too, can assist someone in overcoming alcohol addiction. When you follow the dos and don’ts of helping someone with addiction, it can be a blessing for both the addict and his or her loved ones.
Take the first step toward assisting someone suffering from alcoholism today and see what a difference you can make in their lives! Every bit of your support for alcoholism and the people affected by it will be noticed, sooner or later.
Trucare Trust is one of the top Alcohol Rehabilitation centre in Mumbai and a Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Mumbai that offers a full range of safe and comprehensive addiction services. Our team at Trucare Trust, located in the suburbs of Maharashtra, India, provides a variety of treatments for our clients, providing them with a peaceful, secure, and serene environment in which to grow. We recreate the modes of secured therapies and help people in need by discovering the folds of sobriety bonded with various combinations of proven and secured treatment processes.
Believing in the faith and process of recovery, we believe there’s a better day in the future for our clients. Helping and guiding them at every step with best suited and functioning treatment processes, we have faith and trust in our empathetic, resilient and on our compassionate staff members, making our team as one big positive and radiating family, hoping and praying only for the best.
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