|
|
The
Disease Concept of Alcoholism
By Sheila Leskinen
Denial is the biggest symptom of this illness,
And not just for the alcoholic.
Many years ago, I looked at alcoholism with a judgmental
and moralistic eye, believing it only happened to
“other” people. Then it hit close to home, with someone
in my family, I will never forget the resources that
helped me to understand this problem from a much
different perspective. Eventually, I was able to view
alcoholism with compassion and discernment.
In the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, alcoholism treatment was in
its heyday. In 1956, the American Medical Association
(AMA) stated alcoholism was a disease, as it met the
five criteria needed in order to be considered a
disease: pattern of symptoms, chronicity, progression,
subject to relapse, and treatability. One could learn
about the disease concept through community lectures,
articles in the paper, alcoholism hotlines, and of
course, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings.
I learned that alcoholism is an illness that crosses all
social classes. Anyone could get it, regardless of age,
sex, education, class, ethnicity or religion. Those with
a family history of alcoholism are at a higher risk,
even if they once swore they would never drink like
their mother or father.
I also learned that alcoholism is a chronic, progressive
disease that manifests itself with symptoms that affect
one physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and
socially. Denial is its number one symptom, and the
alcoholic is usually the last one to believe he or she
has it. Alcoholism has a ripple effect and affects at
least four to five other people, including family,
friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc.
There are four stages of alcoholism. Most people in the
first or pre-alcoholic stage are usually amazed how much
they can drink, in fact, many may joke about their
“hollow leg” or being able to drink their friends “under
the table.” Other symptoms of this first phase of
addiction include: drinking to provide relief from
stress and mental fatigue, or to relax; seeking more
opportunities when drinking will occur; and a gradual
development of increase in tolerance (use of more and
more of the substance to get the same desired effect.)
In the second and early stage of the illness, the person
may have alcohol-induced blackouts. These are
amnesia-like periods that occur while drinking, when the
person seems to be functioning normally but will later
have no recall of some or all of what he or she said or
did. The individual may not remember getting home or
having said something hurtful or outlandish to another
person. Other symptoms include: sneaking extra drinks
before or during an event; gulping the first drink or
two; and feelings of guilt.
The third or middle stage of alcoholism is a crucial
phase, for loss of control sets in. This is the
inability to drink according to intention. Once the
first drink is taken, the individual can no longer
predict what will happen, even though the intention may
have been to only have a few drinks. Other symptoms
include: drinking bolstered with excuses; grandiose and
aggressive behavior; persistent remorse; increase in
amount and frequency of drinking; failure of repeated
attempts to control drinking; failed promises and
resolutions to self and others; loss of interests;
avoidance of family and friends; trouble with money and
work; unreasonable resentments; problems with the law;
neglect of food and loss of willpower; tremors and early
morning drinks; decrease in alcohol tolerance (needing
less alcohol to feel the effect); and the beginning of
physical deterioration.
The fourth, final and late stage of alcoholism is
chronic. Up until this point, the individual may have
been successful in maintaining a job, but now drinking
occurs earlier in the day and can go on all day.
Symptoms in this phase include: onset of lengthy
intoxications; moral deterioration; impaired thinking;
indefinable fears; obsession with drinking; and vague
spiritual desires. A person may not develop all of these
symptoms or in this particular order, but there is a
continual loss of control.
This disease is often described as cunning, baffling and
powerful. The alcoholic is often just as puzzled as
those around him or her, because no matter how he or she
attempts to modify drinking, nothing seems to work. The
individual just can’t seem to get a “grip” on the
problem. Denial is the biggest symptom of this illness,
and not just for the alcoholic. Those around the
alcoholic are also often in denial, believing the person
just needs to stop drinking or cut down. It is only
after treatment that this confusing problem begins to
make sense. The alcoholic learns that he or she has a
chemical reaction to alcohol and that it is the first
drink that causes the trouble. That is, it’s the first
drink that sets the obsession to drink in motion.
Alcoholism does not have to continue through all four
phases, but if help isn’t sought, the fourth stage can
end in death, insanity or incarceration. From recovery
stories, we know that loving interventions planned by
concerned others, with the aid of trained professionals,
can help alcoholics avoid the pain and misery of all
these stages.
Alcoholism is treatable, but successful recovery from
alcoholism requires active participation of the
individual. It is critical that the alcoholic accepts
the illness and be willing to manage his or her recovery
process, much like anyone with any other chronic illness
has to do. Education is essential. Recovering alcoholics
must be well informed about their illness and the need
for good self-care. To avoid relapse, the individual
needs to learn skills in treatment to maintain and
enhance his or her ability to continue in recovery.
The recovering alcoholic needs emotional support from
family, friends and the community to make the necessary
changes to live within the limitations imposed by the
illness. Family involvement and support are imperative
for two reasons. Statistics show that if the family is
involved in the alcoholic’s treatment and their own
recovery process, the rate of successful recovery is
70%. If the employer or employee assistance program is
involved, success rates climb to 80%. Secondly, and most
importantly, the family needs an opportunity to
understand and talk about the impact this illness has
had on them.
It is important to remember that alcoholism affects an
individual five-fold: Physically, mentally, emotionally,
socially and spiritually. Recovery needs to take place
in all these major life arenas as well. Finding new ways
to handle life situations without the use of alcohol is
the challenge and the blessing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sheila Leskinen M.S. L.M.F.T., is a Life Coach living in
Washington, with a specialty in families with
addictions. The original story was in Alaska
Wellness…Quality of Life magazine. |
|
