Alcoholism

More than 17.5 million Americans have a problem with alcohol addiction. It is not an easy task when it comes to overcoming alcohol addiction, but research has found that by quitting the bottle, a person can yield a growth spurt of new brain cells. Many people with alcohol addiction have bigger problems then the common deterioration of their liver. It has been found that addicts suffer from problems with learning, memory, and impulsivity. Researchers say this could stem from alcohol’s effect on an area of the brain called the hippocampus, which is involved in learning and memory. It is common for people that suffer from alcohol addiction to repeatedly drink alcohol. This causes significant problems in areas such as relationships, work, personal obligations, or legal matters, like disorderly conduct or drunken driving.

Unfortunately, these statistics have little affect on an alcoholic. The most common signs of alcohol abuse include feeling compelled to drink, drinking in secret, needing greater amounts of alcohol to have the desired effect of feeling high, withdrawal symptoms without alcohol, and feeling that alcohol is starting to dominate their life, but they often make up what they think are reasonable excuses in their mind as to why they need to drink, even though the excuses are unrealistic to a non-drinker. Many people can drink moderately with no problem, while others may only need a small amount to slide toward alcohol addiction. No one knows why some people are more vulnerable than others to alcohol addiction. Recovery from drug and alcohol abuse is a complicated process. Just as every person’s addiction has different causes and different degrees, every person’s recovery is also different. Fortunately there are many organizations that offer programs and and resources to beat drug and alcohol abuse.