It is now generally recognized that alcohol just like opium products could be a narcotic. But alcoholism constitutes a special problem due to the broader use of alcohol and since of its entrenchment within the social customs. Alcoholism could be a condition within which the individual has lost control over his alcohol intake therein he’s constantly unable to refrain from drinking once he begins.
According to Adolf Meyer alcoholism is the development of an insistent longing for alcohol and its effects. it’s also defined as that condition characterized by a comparatively permanent, persistent desire for alcohol for the sake of its anticipated effects on the body and mind. alcoholism is something which is characterized by the repeated drinking of alcoholic beverages to an extent that exceeds customary use or compliance with the social customs of the community which interferes with the drinker’s health or his social or economic function.
Alcoholism has been characterized by four factors:
• Excessive intake of alcoholic beverages
• Individual’s increasing worry over his drinking
• Loss of the drinker’s control over the person’s own drinking
• Disturbance in his functioning within the social world
An addict is one whose drinking habit causes several problems in one or more areas of his life for example his family relationships, jobs, financial status, etc. And in spite of these problems, he will still drink alcohol because his body gets so accustomed over a period of your time to the presence of alcohol that if its use is cut down suddenly the person will develop withdrawal symptoms like tremors, fits, etc. Such a state is named physical dependence.
Alcohol becomes so central to his thoughts, emotions and activities that he’s simply unable to consider the rest. This condition is termed psychological dependence. Alcoholic addiction may be a disease instead of lack of will power or moral weakness. Unless the person stops drinking, his/her condition will deteriorate over a period of your time.
There should more community involvement against drinking. Nationwide prohibition of intoxicating drinks may check the smuggling of liquor into the dry areas from the wet areas. Drinking may be a social problem and a mere legalistic approach to prohibition isn’t likely to succeed. Education, persuasion, creation of popular opinion and a number of other positive measures must be taken if prohibition were to succeed reasonably.
The media channels which portray drinking should be banned. Government should encourage and supply financial help to voluntary social and other non-governmental organizations engaged in de-addiction programs and prohibition campaigns
Signing up for alcohol rehab remains the foremost effective way of breaking free from alcoholism and is something that one should not be ashamed of taking up.
