Alcoholism Facts: You Are About to Know What Alcoholic Must Know

In order to understand the disease of alcoholism, it is vital that you have a working familiarity with the basic alcoholism facts. By understanding the basic and most fundamental alcoholism facts, you will be better able to access assistance and deal with the disease should you ever need to do so for yourself or for someone else in your life.

What is alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a disease that is marked by the presence (in most instances) of four primary symptoms:

     * craving alcohol

     * loss of control over alcohol use

     * physical dependence upon alcohol

     * tolerance of alcohol over time

Is alcoholism a disease?

Yes, most experts in the field and medical practitioners now do consider alcoholism a disease. The underlying symptom of this disease is a craving or need for alcohol that can be as strong as the need for food and water. A person afflicted with alcoholism will continue to consume alcohol even though he or she ends up experiencing extreme emotional, mental, physical, inter-personal and legal problems.

In understanding basic alcoholism facts, it is important to know that alcoholism is a chronic disease that last throughout the lifetime of a person with the disease.

Can alcoholism be cured?

As mentioned a moment ago, alcoholism is a chronic disease. It cannot be cured. However, one of the most important alcoholism facts to keep in mind is that the disease of alcoholism can be managed through treatment and through a detailed relapse prevention program.

Can alcoholism be treated?

Definitely. There are a number of different treatment options available to a person who is afflicted with the disease of alcoholism.

Does alcoholism treatment really work?

In many cases, alcoholism treatment can be very effective. With that in mind, it is important to remember that alcoholism is a chronic disease and recovery is a process and not an end result in and of itself.