Whether you’re addicted to alcohol, or live with an alcoholic, this disease tears families and lives apart.
It is believed that alcoholics cannot control their drinking as they are either mentally or physically ill.
Alcoholism is now recognised as an illness.
Signs of alcohol abuse:
• Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol one drinks.
• Unsuccessful attempts to cut down the amount of alcohol used.
• Spending a lot of time drinking, buying alcohol or recovering from alcohol use.
• Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol.
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• Failure to fulfil obligations at work, school or home due to repeated alcohol use.
• Continuing to drink alcohol even after knowing the alcohol use is causing physical, social or interpersonal problems.
• Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies.
• Using alcohol in situations where it’s not safe, such as when driving or swimming.
• Developing a higher tolerance to alcohol so you need more to feel its effect.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating and shaking.
Getting help:
Help is available for those who want it in the form of alcoholics anonymous groups. Because all the members in the group have battled with alcohol abuse they know what the illness feels like and can help new members by being able to advise them on how to get through certain problems or just give them support.
Instead of worrying about whether or not they will be sober tomorrow, they are encouraged to concentrate on not drinking right now. New members are advised to just take it “one day at a time”.
Alcoholics are given a 12 step programme to follow; these steps guide alcoholics to happy and useful lives.
For more information contact alcoholics anonymous call 0861 435 722.
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za.
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