Q: What do we mean by alcoholism?

Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol dependence," is a condition that includes craving and continued alcohol abuse despite repeated drinking-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law. It includes four symptoms:

1. Craving: A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
2. Impaired control: The inability to limit one's drinking on any given occasion.
3. Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
4. Tolerance: The need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects.

[See also Cycle of Addiction]

Q: Is alcoholism inherited?

There are many factors that can influence the development of alcoholism. Genetics is one of these, and it is true that alcoholism tends to run in families. Some of the other factors that can influence a person to abuse alcohol are:

• Environment
• Stress Levels
• Availability of alcohol
• Influence of friends or social group

There are no "rules" when it comes to alcohol abuse. A person with absolutely no family history of alcoholism can still become alcohol dependent. Or a person who has a family where every family member drinks may never develop alcoholism.

[See also What is Addiction?]

Q: Is alcoholism a disease?

This is a subject of hot debate among treatment professionals. While there is some evidence that alcoholism has a biochemical component, the most successful treatment philosophies treat alcoholism as a mental or spiritual problem. There is no pill or medication currently available that can remove the desire to drink.

[See also The Narconon Program]

Q: What about medications for alcoholism?

Alcohol creates a physical dependence in the drinker, and withdrawal can be life-threatening. So when an alcoholic is being withdrawn from alcohol, medication may be necessary. In the long term, however, there is no medication that has been shown to be effective in "curing" alcoholism.

[See also Bio-Chemical Drug Cravings]

Q: Does alcoholism treatment work?

This depends on the type of treatment. In general terms, the longer the treatment the better. Not all types of treatment are equally effective. Currently, most centers use the 12 step philosophy in treating alcoholism and addiction. Unfortunately, this is not a program that works for everyone. Alternative forms of treatment are becoming more popular and in many cases are more effective. Statistically, the longer a person is in treatment, the better his chances of remaining sober.

[See also Narconon's History of Success]

Q: Who is likely to become alcoholic?

Nearly 14 million people in the United States--1 in every 13 adults--abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. However, more men than women are alcohol dependent or experience alcohol-related problems. In addition, rates of alcohol problems are highest among young adults ages 18-29 and lowest among adults 65 years and older.

[See also What is Addiction?]

Q: How can you tell whether you or someone close to you has alcoholism?

A good first step is to answer the brief questionnaire below, developed by Dr. John Ewing. (To help remember these questions, note that the first letter of a key word in each question spells "CAGE.")

1. Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
2. Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
3. Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?
4. Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (Eye opener)?

One "yes" answer suggests a possible alcohol problem. More than one "yes" answer means it is highly likely that a problem exists. If you think that you or someone you know might have an alcohol problem, it is important to see a doctor or other health provider right away. He or she can determine whether a drinking problem exists and, if so, suggest the best course of action.

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Q: If I have trouble with drinking, can't I simply reduce my alcohol use without stopping altogether?

That depends. If you are diagnosed as an alcoholic, the answer is "no." Studies show that nearly all alcoholics who try to merely cut down on drinking are unable to do so indefinitely. Instead, cutting out alcohol (that is, abstaining) is nearly always necessary for successful recovery. However, if you are not alcoholic but have had alcohol-related problems, you may be able to limit the amount you drink.

[See also Bio-Chemical Drug Cravings]

Q: How can a person get help for an alcohol problem?

You can call Narconon's 24 hour hotline at 1-888-774-2345 for information about treatment programs in your local community and to speak to someone about an alcohol problem. Or go to the Need Help Now? section of this website.

Many people also benefit from support groups. For information on local support meetings run by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), call your local AA chapter (check your local phone directory under "Alcoholism") or call 212-870-3400. For meetings of Al-Anon (for spouses and other significant adults in an alcoholic person's life) and Alateen (for children of alcoholics), call your local Al-Anon chapter or call the following toll-free numbers: 1-800-344-2666 (United States).

Q: If an alcoholic is unwilling to seek help, is there any way to get him or her into treatment?

This can be a challenging situation. An alcoholic cannot be forced to get help except under certain circumstances, such as when a violent incident results in police being called or following a medical emergency. This doesn't mean, however, that you have to wait for a crisis to make an impact. Based on clinical experience, many alcoholism treatment specialists recommend the following steps to help an alcoholic accept treatment:

Stop all "rescue missions." Family members often try to protect an alcoholic from the results of his or her behavior by making excuses to others about his or her drinking and by getting him or her out of alcohol-related jams. It is important to stop all such rescue attempts immediately, so that the alcoholic will fully experience the harmful effects of his or her drinking--and thereby become more motivated to stop.

Time your intervention. Plan to talk with the drinker shortly after an alcohol-related problem has occurred... For example, a serious family argument in which drinking played a part or an alcohol-related accident. Also choose a time when he or she is sober, when both of you are in a calm frame of mind, and when you can speak privately.

Be specific. Tell the family member that you are concerned about his or her drinking and want to be supportive in getting help. Back up your concern with examples of the ways in which his or her drinking has caused problems for both of you, including the most recent incident.

State the consequences. Tell the family member that until he or she gets help, you will carry out consequences--not to punish the drinker, but to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the drinking. These may range from refusing to go with the person to any alcohol-related social activities to moving out of the house. Do not make any threats you are not prepared to carry out.

Be ready to help. Gather information in advance about local treatment options. If the person is willing to seek help, call immediately for an appointment with a treatment program counselor. Offer to go with the family member on the first visit to a treatment program and/or AA meeting.

Call on a friend. If the family member still refuses to get help, ask a friend to talk with him or her, using the steps described above. A friend who is a recovering alcoholic may be particularly persuasive, but any caring, nonjudgmental friend may be able to make a difference. The intervention of more than one person, more than one time, is often necessary to persuade an alcoholic person to seek help.

Find strength in numbers. With the help of a professional therapist, some families join with other relatives and friends to confront an alcoholic as a group. While this approach may be effective, it should only be attempted under the guidance of a therapist who is experienced in this kind of group intervention.

Get support. Whether or not the alcoholic family member seeks help, you may benefit from the encouragement and support of other people in your situation. Support groups offered in most communities include Al-Anon, which holds regular meetings for spouses and other significant adults in an alcoholic's life, and Alateen, for children of alcoholics. These groups help family members understand that they are not responsible for an alcoholic's drinking and that they need to take steps to take care of themselves, regardless of whether the alcoholic family member chooses to get help.

For meeting locations, call your local Al-Anon chapter (check your local phone book under "Alcoholism") or call the following toll-free numbers: 1-800-344-2666 (United States).

Q: What is a safe level of drinking?

Most adults can drink moderate amounts of alcohol--up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and older people--and avoid alcohol-related problems. (One drink equals one 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.)

However, certain people should not drink at all. They include women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant; people who plan to drive or engage in other activities requiring alertness and skill; people taking certain medications, including certain over-the-counter medicines; people with medical conditions that can be worsened by drinking; recovering alcoholics; and people under the age of 21.

Q: Is it safe to drink during pregnancy?

No. Drinking during pregnancy can have a number of harmful effects on the newborn, ranging from mental retardation, organ abnormalities, and hyperactivity to learning and behavioral problems. Moreover, many of these disorders last into adulthood. While we don't yet know exactly how much alcohol is required to cause these problems, we do know that they are 100-percent preventable if a woman does not drink at all during pregnancy. Therefore, for women who are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant, the safest course is to abstain from alcohol.

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