Alcoholism (dependence on alcohol) is a disease. Like many other diseases it has its recognizable symptoms, its effects and treatment. Alcohol dependence is a chronic and often progressive disease that includes a strong need to drink despite repeated social or interpersonal problems such as messing up ones studies, losing a job or deteriorating relationships with friends and family members. Alcohol dependence is influenced by a complex interplay of psychological factors such as the influence of family members and friends, and the effect of culture on drinking behavior and attitudes. While most other diseases have a cure, there is no cure for alcoholism presently. Even though an alcoholic hasn't been drinking for a long period of time, there is always the possibility that he/she suffer a relapse. To avoid going into a relapse it is advisable for recovering alcoholics to totally avoid alcoholic beverages. The best known cure for alcoholism till date is prevention!

Alcoholism is just one of the problems associated with excessive drinking. There are other problems which may not entail alcohol dependence. Though these may seem to be less severe than alcohol dependence, the effects of these problems on a person's studies, job, health and relationships are just as damaging. It is also important to note that alcohol problems of lesser severity are very likely to progress into alcoholism if not treated in time. Excessive drinking cause problems such as:

Alcohol abuse:

Alcohol abuse can be described as any "harmful use" of alcohol. Alcohol abusers are those who may continue to drink despite repeated and significant problems (social, interpersonal, or legal.) that arise as a result of alcohol use. Harmful use implies the use of alcohol to an extent that causes either physical or mental damage. Alcohol abuse often results in absence from, and impaired performance at, college and on the job, neglect of child care or household responsibilities, legal difficulties and alcohol consumption in physically dangerous circumstances such as while driving.

Binge drinking:

Binge drinking is the type of drinking problem most common among young people in the 18-21 year old age range. Within this age group binge drinking is more prevalent among college students than non-students. Researchers often define binge drinking as the consumption of five or more drinks at one sitting for males and three or more drinks at one sitting for females. Binge drinkers on college campuses are more likely to damage property, have trouble with authorities, miss classes, have hangovers, and experience injuries than those who do not. Studies show that students living on campuses with high rates of binge drinking experience more incidents of assault and unwanted sexual advances than students on campuses with lower binge drinking rates.

THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL

"Hey, what else is there to do on an evening out at a disc? You drink, you get high, you dance it off, you go back, get a drink, get high, dance it off... how else can I get that bounce?"

"My parents have no problem-they both drink. I'm allowed to serve booze to my friends at home parties-I mean, who would come to them if there were no booze? I'm not an alcoholic-and it's my life, anyway, right? So, what's your problem?"

Is that all there is to drinking? Just having fun and being accepted by a certain 'crowd'? Or is there an uglier side to drinking. How come not many people talk about the effects of alcohol on ones mental and physiological well being. Alcohol consumption has been associated with illnesses ranging from liver damage to damage of brain cells to cancer. You may say that all these happen only to chronic alcoholics!? We would advice to get your facts straight! Given below are some of the well known effects of alcohol consumption.

- 'Alcohol liver disease' also knows as cirrhosis of the liver. One of the most common illnesses associated with alcohol consumption. Liver damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed.

- Researches show that heavy drinking affects the brain, leading to cognitive difficulties, such as impaired memory or reasoning ability, apart from depression, anxiety and nervousness.

- Prolonged alcoholism leads to worse scenarios-violent behavior, dementia, epilepsy, hallucinations.

- Alcoholic gastritis causes anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach ulcers.

- Alcohol causes impairment of both the male and female reproductive functions.

Need I go on.....Maybe I'll give one more shocker....

- Researches show a definite connection between heavy alcohol consumption and increased risk for cancer, with an estimated 2 to 4 percent of all cancer cases thought to be caused either directly or indirectly by alcohol.

- A strong association exists between alcohol use and cancers of the esophagus, pharynx, and mouth, whereas a more controversial association links alcohol with liver, breast, and colorectal cancers.

- It's not our intention to preach fire and brimstone and freak you out. We want you to know the facts, what alcohol has done to people and will continue to do. Consider do you need to go through all this and more that too for a lifetime, just to look 'cool'. We recommended that you do further reading to fully understand the threat of alcohol.

OBSTACLES TO TREATMENT DENIAL

Alcoholics most often than not go through the phase of 'denial'. Denial simply put, is not accepting that one has a problem with alcohol. It usually begins with 'small' lies like 'I hardly had any....I don't drink as much as I used to....' As the phenomenon of lying to oneself and people who care continues, the alcoholic finds it increasingly harder for him/her to come to terms with the fact that he/she has a problem with alcohol. Even though all kinds of 'warning bells' go, telling the alcoholic that all things aren't well! The downside of denial is not only a breakdown in ones relationships with others. There are far greater risks involved for the alcoholic, both emotionally and physiologically. As long as denial continues the disease will continue to progress as there is no treatment. Leading to severe irreversible damage to his/her health.

ENABLING

Many times when family and friends try to 'help' alcoholics, they actually making it easier for them to continue in the progression of the disease. This phenomenon called 'enabling', allows the alcoholic to avoid the consequences of his/her actions. Thus the alcoholic can continue along his/her drinking ways, secure in the knowledge that no matter how much he/she messes up, somebody will always be there to 'help' them.

Does that mean we shouldn't help an alcoholic?!? There is a difference between "helping" and "enabling". Here is a simple description: Helping an alcoholic is doing things for him/her that they are not capable of doing themselves. Enabling is doing things for him/her that they could, and should be doing themselves. Like covering up for them when they don't turn up for class, etc. Simply put, enabling is creating an atmosphere in which the alcoholic can comfortably continue his/her unacceptable behavior.

TREATMENT

The biggest obstacle in effective treatment of this disease is denial. There is always the question of acceptance of the problem. Alcoholics rarely admit that they have a problem and need help.