Drunkenness and alcoholism are not the same, while drunkenness is a temporary state resulting from excessive consumption of alcohol, alcoholism is a chronic disease characterised by a tendency to drink more than was intended, unsuccessful attempts at stopping drinking despite adverse social and occupational consequences.
The above definition is what I gleaned from a medical perspective. Alright, let me talk to the ordinary man in the street. Alcoholism is hard to define, because its social manifestations vary. Some authorities define it, in effect, as any repeated drinking that is above the normal for a person and community. But if one looks at alcoholism as a process, what is significant is the factor of dependence. Like many other drugs (I hope we realise that alcohol is a drug), alcohol can produce psychological, and, in extreme cases physical dependence, alcohol has become necessary for the body.
In psychological «problem» drinking, the sufferer is constantly trying to escape his psychic difficulties in drink. In physical dependence, alcohol has become necessary for the body to function, and its removal produces extreme physical effects. The point at which drinking becomes alcoholism is not decided by the quantity drunk, or even by how far it dominates a person›s social life. What distinguishes the alcoholic is that – whether he realises it or not his drinking is compulsive.
May I crave your indulgence to tell a story from a woman in TED (Technological Entertainment Design), she was a high tech – executive from the Silicone Valleys of USA. Very high brow (name withheld). She said due to stress of work she started drinking, mostly wine, to relieve her tension. She started with a glass of wine at dinner. She later divorced her husband because of irreconcilable differences. She was 43 years. She had 3 children, 2 boys and a girl 15, 13 & 10.
As she grew in her company and started flying the world for official conferences, hosting talkshow, attending workshops, educating clients on her tech-company. She found that at every point in time she started clinging to glasses of wine for company and comfort. She said at workshops she will sneak out for a glass or two of wine. She gradually dovetailed into tucking a bottle of wine into her hand bags, and dashing into toilets to She said, she always flew British Airlines (BA) first class, and helps herself generously from the assorted wines served during flights. She will pack most of 50ml, 100mg and 150ml compact bottles of wine into her hand luggage to her hotel room, where she will even skip meals but continue with her inebriation. She had no care in the world because she was hooked on her drinks or vice versa.
Most male colleagues, especially the billionaire cassanovas on learning she was divorced, approached her for friendship and conjugal affiliations, which she vehemently and vigorously rebuffed. Her addiction to alcohol made her a recluse.
Her three children, though left back in USA during her numerous travels, were always in constant communication with her. She thought she was enjoying the best of 3 – world›s – her family, her high paying job and reclusive wine biber.
Then one day, her second son Jo-jo as he was simply called, came to her room in Carlifonia where she called her home and hit her like a thunderbolt with a devastating question. “Mummy”, he said “why is it that each time you come home your bags are usually filled with wine, our cupboards are filled with bottles of wine. Mummy who drinks them and your eyes are always red.” She nearly fainted. Her secrets are out in the open. The last straw that broke that camel’s back was when her first son came in and called her a drunk. She checked into a rehabilitation centre. “I was on the mend, and had never tasted any wine, red or white till today – 20 years after. My first son is a PhD holder and an Associate Professor of Psychology.
Alcohol›s social uses are many but one should never use it as an escape from stress and tension. The relaxing effects of alcohol reduce inhibition and relieve anxieties, so alcohol in small quantities acts as a social lubricant, decreasing self consciousness and increasing congeniality, confidence and belongingness. As a result, it has been associated with every aspect of man’s nature. Sometimes casual drunkenness is encouraged and viewed with amusement; and yet alcohol has a place in much of our social and secret ritual, even up to celebration of religious mysteries(holy communion), and birth and death.
The varied uses of alcohol are an accepted part of the traditions integrating the social order. As individuals, we can worship or despise the release that alcohol can bring; but a normal attitude, for our society, is that, used sensibly, alcohol is one of the earth›s gifts to man and that, taken in moderation, alcohol drinks give pleasure at little cost to body or soul.
One or two average -strength (two glasses ), are normally no hazard to health. But sometimes, any drinking at all is inadvisable eg; if the person is seriously overweight, or if he has recently taken sedatives, tranquilisers or anti – histamine (anti-allergy) tablets; or if he suffers from epilepsy, liver disorders, or stomach or duodenal ulcers.
Today the conditions of our society, seem to encourage people to turn more and more often to alcohol to escape stress – whether the pressure is of work or of their own psyche. This is called “symptomatic drinking”. At first the relief the drinker seeks is easily available. But gradually he achieves it only through greater and greater quantities of drink, as tolerance to alcohol increases. Eventually, his psychological dependence is supported, and finally displaced by physical dependence – with disastrous effects upon his body, his fitness and his family and social life.
Alcoholism through symptomatic drinking is thought of by experts as an “illness “ relating to underlying personality disorder. It may even be linked with a metabolic defect of some sort. But also important are availability, social environment, and upbringing. Consequently alcoholism predominates in certain social groups rather than others: senior executives, and their wives, travelling salesmen, journalists, nollywood actors and the children of alcoholics.
Treatment of alcoholism is not a straightforward meal. The alcoholic when deprived of alcohol develops a severe withdrawal syndrome – which manifests as sweating, running nose, vomiting, body aches, diarrhoea, watery eyes, fits, convulsions and hallucinations. Sedatives relieve these, but are terminated before they themselves become addictive. The patient’s health is restored by a good diet, and any physical problems due to the addiction are treated.
After detoxification, the underlying psychological causes are identified, if possible and treated. The patient›s motivation, self-confidence and trust must be constantly strengthened.
Treatment and their effectiveness vary greatly. There are certain steps taken in treatment like. Aversion therapy – which tries to create conditioned reflexes of sickness and aversion at the presence of alcohol. Individual psychological therapy – aims at removing the underlying psychological causes by bringing them to light and getting the patient to accept and face them for himself.
Group therapy aims at giving the patient an objective outside view of himself with which he must come to terms and at the same time helps him to overcome his isolation, by giving him personal relationships and contact with fellow sufferers. Always be medically guided.
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