Alcoholism is a serious medical condition in which an individual is addicted to drinking alcohol. Despite severe and increasing medical and interpersonal concerns, the body of an alcoholic continues to demand more alcohol. Although alcoholism continues to be a common and devastating medical concern, prevention and treatment have greatly improved over recent years. Although there is no way to completely avoid the risk of developing the disease, you can take certain steps to prevent alcoholism.
Instructions
1. Know your risk factors. If you have a family history of alcoholism, began drinking at a young age, or suffer from depression or anxiety, you are at increased risk for becoming alcoholic. With your personal risk factors in mind, be even more vigilant in avoiding alcohol. While a casual drink may mean nothing to a low-risk individual, it could tip you towards alcoholism.
2. Avoid binge drinking. Occasional, excessive drinking is far from harmless. Binge drinking depletes the amount of dopamine in your brain, a neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure and happiness. With decreased levels of dopamine, your brain may crave alcohol to fill that void and feel pleasure once again. In this way, episodes of binge drinking can lead you to alcoholism.
3. Treat your depression or other psychological conditions. Since depression or anxiety can lead to alcoholism, treat the problem at its source. Talk to a psychiatrist about medications or therapies you can take to ameliorate your mental state.
4. Avoid enablers. An enabler is a close friend or loved one who, in some way, enables you to follow the path of alcoholism. This may take several forms. He may drink regularly himself, causing you to drink along with him. He may lend you money, knowing you'll immediately spend it on drinks. An enabler allows you to drink in excess, making whatever adjustments necessary, instead of confronting you about your disease. This is often the hardest step in avoiding alcoholism, as enablers are often spouses or family members. Talk with your loved ones about your goal of preventing alcoholism and let them know how they can help. With constructive and honest intervention, a loved one can go from enabler to savior.
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