Alcoholism Recovery & Treatment » Alcoholism

Q&A: Is alcoholism a mental disorder or is there just mental disorders where alcohol fills the void?

Alan — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:20:24 +0000

Question by philSchmo: Is alcoholism a mental disorder or is there just mental disorders where alcohol fills the void?
I am curious because my father was an alcoholic and he was a great man – it’s just that he could not give it up, which caused his passing. My brother is a long time recovering alcoholic and had a little relapse this past year but is doing pretty good now. I have had long talks with him and we have a lot of the same ways of living and functioning in our lives.

I myself have been hospitalized in a mental hospital and have been on different meds, seen various therapists.

I’ve never drank alcohol because I know almost for a fact that it would lead me down the same road my dad never turned off of and my brother did decide to turn off of.

I’ve been diagnosed with depression/bipolar disorder – the doctors aren’t quite sure.

My question is that is alcoholism an actual disorder or are there just mental disorders where alcohol and other substances for that matter, fill the void that is so constant with manic depression, depression, etc.
Well, thanks. So, drinking is self destructive you say? You know, I think you may be on to something there, my friend.

Best answer:

Answer by fallibledragon
Drinking is a self-destructive coping mechanism, like cutting, or banging your head off the wall. You need to find POSITIVE coping mechanisms, like talking about your problems, exercising, yoga, and meditation. It’s no coincidence that healthy, happy, non-addicted people tend to do stuff like that.

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vomiting/ sweating are symptoms of alcoholism?

Alan — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:50:09 +0000

Question by tim s: vomiting/ sweating are symptoms of alcoholism?

Best answer:

Answer by cyy
theres a possibility

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Alcoholism / Alcoholic behavior…?

Alan — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 04:19:56 +0000

Question by astutewoman: Alcoholism / Alcoholic behavior…?
I have limited exposure to alcoholism from various stages and people in my life…and currently involved with a recovering alcoholic… I try to support others going through the same thing… and had a friend say this to me recently —

“One thing I’m coming to grips with right now is that, regardless of what he says, alcohol is his #1 love, not me. He will beg, borrow, steal and lie to get it – and I couldn’t say for sure if he’d go to those lengths for me! Should we be sympathetic to the fact that this addiction and disease
is making them lie and hurt us? Somedays I feel there is a fine line between being supportive and being a total pushover.”

Has anyone felt this same way? have you felt you were being supportive and a pushover or did you feel you were being one more than the other.. and how?

How did you cope with what you felt versus knowing what you had to do?

Best answer:

Answer by Daniel F
Addicts CAN stop…. Don’t let them manipulate you. Give them help to stop, but don’t enable their addiction.

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what defines alcoholism?

Alan — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:19:57 +0000

Question by walmartshopper: what defines alcoholism?
why is it so hard for an alcoholic to know they are one, i believe my husband is one although he says he is not, i grew up in an alcoholic home, i do know what it means, just not why they dont see it in themselves, my dad was very physically abusive when he drank, while with my husband it makes him more calm, but at times if we are argueing he has been known to throw things and just get meaner, he thinks he is not an alcoholic for the mere fact that he dont drink at work, only when he comes home every day, would anyone else consider this to be alcoholism, the problems it is causing is destroying our whole relationship, and i need help

Best answer:

Answer by Uncle Charlie
If his best friends are at the bar, he’s an alcoholic
If his complains he has no money, but theres always beer, hes an alcoholic
If he puts booze in front of his family hes an alcoholic

Uncle Charlie

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alcoholism stats?

Alan — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:20:38 +0000

Question by miekaonfire!™[NObama]: alcoholism stats?
in my spanish class, were making posters about diffrent addictions. I have been assigned alcoholism. I need stats, like; how many people die from it a year, relation to domestic abuse…etc.

If you can give me a direct fact; that will help me greatly!!
If you can give me a link; that works too.

Thanks!
Mieka

Best answer:

Answer by an
look it up yourself
you lazybutt

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Q&A: Writing a paper about alcoholism? Help with topic ideas?

Alan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:20:26 +0000

Question by Jesse D: Writing a paper about alcoholism? Help with topic ideas?
I have an eight page paper about alcoholism due this Friday. I’m brainstorming what I want to write about and trying to come up with questions I can answer within my paper, relating to the disease, of course.

So far, I’ve thought of:

Basic statistics (How many people are affected by alcoholism in the US? How many are men/women? What’s the economic/social level of those affected? Age range? Race?…)
Risk Factors
Possible causes (I’ll only touch briefly on this, since no one really knows whether it’s inherited or not. I will present both sides.)
Symptoms
Diagnosis (Using the AUDIT/CAGE testing system, etc…)
Treatment (How many treated actually stay sober, as opposed to going back to the bottle? What are the treatment options?)
Other health issues that stem from being an alcoholic (Liver failure, cancer, depression, bi-polar disorder, etc…)
What could be done better/more to inform the public about alcoholism

What else would you like to know about alcoholism, if you were reading my paper? Do you have any other topic ideas I could touch on? Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by njyogibear
costs to business community for employees with alcoholism–a, absenteeism/lost productivity and b, expense for health insurance/rehab

social stigma/public view of alcoholism

portrayal of alcoholism in popular culture ie literature, movies, tv-has it changed over time?

drinking age and its correlation to alcoholism; contrast USA to other countries where younger poeple can drink

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Q&A: What mental illnesses mimic alcoholism?

Alan — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:50:28 +0000

Question by : What mental illnesses mimic alcoholism?
I know psychiatrists mistake alcholism for alot of mental illnesses. What are the symptoms of alcoholism even if you do not know or are aware of having a “problem” but feel crazy and haven’t felt that bad before you started drinking everyday for 4 years…

Best answer:

Answer by Joy Totheworld
OCD.

I have OCD, and I used to drink like an alcoholic (every night I would get drunk alone for 4 years) and use drugs like whoa. I’ve had OCD since age 12, but have never known. I just felt generally crazy. I traced my history, and found out. I can drink normally now.

Bipolar also can mimic alcoholism. Depression is linked with alcoholism. I would use google. It’s difficult.

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what are successful treatment programs including accessibility and cost which are associated with alcoholism?

Alan — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:24:33 +0000

Question by Ephraim M: what are successful treatment programs including accessibility and cost which are associated with alcoholism?

Best answer:

Answer by purpledeucegirl06
Alcoholics Anonymous it’s free and the only requirement for membership is the desire to stop drinking. Very accessable worldwide. Just look up AA in the phone book. It’s usually close to the first listing.

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if alcoholism is a disease, why are people put in jail instead of forced treatment in a regular hospital? hmm?

Alan — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:20:15 +0000

Question by bubba: if alcoholism is a disease, why are people put in jail instead of forced treatment in a regular hospital? hmm?

Best answer:

Answer by Proud Libertarian
People are NOT put in jail for being alcoholics. They are put in jail for driving DWI / DUI, which can be done by people who are alcoholics and non alcoholics alike.

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Risk of alcoholism, need info?

Alan — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:22:02 +0000

Question by : Risk of alcoholism, need info?
its for my project, i need to know what are the risks in being addicted to alcohol and some interesting facts. Maybe youll give me more info than google has

Best answer:

Answer by Steph
It destroys your liver.
And you become dependent on it.

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