Alcoholism, mental disorder
In this article, the director and therapeutic coordinator of CC Adicciones Madrid, Javier Porto, defines some of the key signs that indicate when the habit of having a drink becomes alcohol dependence. He has also been one of the expert voices consulted in this report from Buenavida+ magazine, from As.com.
What is considered alcoholism? Alcoholism or alcohol dependence is a mental disorder that occurs in individuals with a predisposition to suffer from it and who are in contact with alcohol. It could be said that the person predisposes and the environment disposes. The WHO and the American Medical Association define it as a chronic, progressive, and fatal disease. This is precisely the same approach taken by CC Adicciones clinics.
There is a difference between “acceptable or moderate” consumption and “dependent or addictive” consumption. This lies in a series of factors that affect the person over a period of time. This can vary depending on their life circumstances; this time is known as “clinical silence”. It is the gestation period of the disease.
In most cases, it is observed that consumption increases in dosage. Physical tolerance to the substance appears (greater amount of alcohol for the same effect). It is also common for too much time to be spent consuming or seeking the substance. And consumption is no longer spaced out, but very frequent and intense. On the other hand, medical and psychiatric complications usually appear in patients (liver damage, tremors, mood changes, aggression, falls and injuries…). And consumption begins to affect their work performance and take a toll on their closest relationships. When all these variables converge in an individual, we may be talking about alcoholism.
The phenomenon of withdrawal
Finally, this phenomenon appears (physical or bodily reactions that occur when a person stops consuming a substance), which in the case of the substance in question is the most dangerous. Alcohol, despite what may be believed in the social imagination, is, along with barbiturates, the only substance with a fatal withdrawal syndrome.
The alcoholism treatment provided by CC Adicciones has as its main objective to restore control of the patient’s life. Within an environment that provides support to stop drinking. The first visit is free and serves as the basis for the medical team to assess and advise on the most appropriate type of alcohol detoxification treatment. Request information by calling 902 400 426.
