Alcoholism is a dependence on alcohol. It is characterized as a
disease when consumption of alcohol interferes with normal physical or
emotional health. Excessive alcohol consumption, whether through
sustained ingestion or irregular drinking bouts or binges, may produce
physical and psychological addiction and lead to nutritional and
emotional disorders. Long-term heavy consumption of alcohol leads to
disease of the heart, liver, and peripheral nerves.
Since alcoholics are unable to control or stop drinking, it is
classified as a disease. Because of the great power alcohol exerts
over the alcoholic and how this affects their judgment, most alcoholics
are also in denial that there is a problem. That's why they need
the help from family members and friends to make it into a treatment
program.
The best time to speak to an alcoholic about their disease is
when they sober up after a night of drinking and out of control
behavior. Procrastinating getting the alcoholic help may have
serious consequences for the alcoholic or others so don't wait long
before you act! The process of intervention is always a preferred
method of getting an alcoholic into a treatment program because family
and friends as a group can exert great influence over the alcoholic and
counter the grip the disease of alcoholism has over him/her.
Hopefully, a successful intervention will result in your
loved one voluntarily accepting help and guide him on the correct path.
