Alcoholism
...sirable realities of life and may enhance the drinker’s feelings of adequacy and worth. But an excessive use of alcohol is counterproductive. Problems of chronic fatigue, oversensitivity and depression are amongst the many that they experience. What is alcoholism? Alcoholism has little to do with what kind of alcohol one drinks, how long one has been drinking, or even exactly how much alcohol one consumes. Alcoholism is an illness marked by consumption of alcoholic beverages at a level that interferes with physical or mental health, and social, family, or occupational responsibilities. But it has a great deal to do with a person's uncontrollable need for alcohol. This description of alcoholism can be a need that can feel as strong as the need for food or water. Some people are able to recover without help, the majority of alcoholic individuals need outside assistance to recover from their disease. With support and treatment, many individuals are able to stop drinking and rebuild their lives. Many people wonder why some individuals can use alcohol without problems, while others are utterly unable to control their drinking. Recent research has demonstrated that for many people alcoholism is inherited, and can only be effectively fought by the mind. Yet it is important to recognize that peer influences and the availability of alcohol, also are significant influences. Just because alcoholism tends to run in families doesn't mean that a child of an alcoholic parent will automatically develop alcoholism. There is no known common cause of alcoholism; however, several factors may play a role in its development. A person who has an alcoholic parent is more likely to become an alcoholic than a person without alcoholism in the immediate family. Research suggests that certain genes may increase the risk of alcoholism but which genes or how they exert their influence is controversial. Psychological factors may include a need for relief of anxiety, ong...