Healing Point Clinic
Drug Addiction Treatment - Alcoholism - Substance Abuse Counseling - Addiction Medicine - Suboxone Treatment
Offices in Canton - Commerce Twp - Livonia - Plymouth - Call 855-762-3751
Alcoholism Defined
Alcoholism Defined
By Tommy C.
Alcoholism simply defined means not knowing what the outcome will be once you pick-up a drink. There are lots of medical definitions but let’s just keep it simple. I understand that I’m an alcoholic. I realize that my disease is in remission as long as I stay sober. Once I pick up a drink all bets are off. I have no idea what will happen. All of the symptoms of alcoholism are best defined in the Jellinek Chart which shows the valley curve of alcoholism. It defines the progression starting with the increase in tolerance, blackouts, secret drinking, and finally the inability to stop drinking.
In my early stage of alcoholism I might stop at the bar on my way home from work. My intention would be to have one or two drinks and then go home. That was my honest intention but alcohol would take over and two drinks would turn into a dozen.
Later, I would begin to experience the critical stage when I drank. The next day I would only be able to remember bits and pieces of what happened the previous day. Now, I not only didn’t know what the outcome would be once I picked up a drink I also lost track of what I did or where I had gone. Too many times I would wake up and have to look to see if my car was parked in the driveway because I didn’t remember driving home. Friends and family began to avoid me. I started to have lots of financial problems.
Finally, I entered the chronic phase of alcoholism. I would have blackouts and multiple health issues. I needed to drink in the morning or I would get the shakes. If I attempted to stop drinking I would have alcohol withdrawals. My blood pressure would begin to rise, hot and cold sweats, shakes, impaired thinking, and eventually delirium tremors.
The Jellinek Charts final stage of alcoholism is loss of everything, insanity, death, or recovery. Recovery meaning that the alcoholic learns to live their life without alcohol.
Learning to live your life without alcohol involves lifestyle changes and is best treated with substance abuse counseling or alcoholism therapy. It should involve seeing a physician with a background in addiction medicine. Twelve step programs are a key solution.
If you think you may have a problem with alcohol please contact the professionals at the Healing Point Clinic. Their phone number is (855) 762-3751. Healing point offices are located in Livonia and Commerce Township.