Alcoholism Support Group

What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions. In common and historic usage, alcoholism refers to any condition that results in the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages despite the health problems and negative social consequences it causes. Medical definitions describe alcoholism as a disease which results in a persistent use of alcohol despite negative consequences. Alcoholism may also refer to a preoccupation with or compulsion to consume alcohol and an impaired ability to recognize the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption.

Causes of Alcoholism

The use of alcohol itself does not predict the development of alcoholism. The quantity, frequency and regularity of alcohol consumption required to develop alcoholism varies greatly from person to person. While the biological mechanisms underpinning alcoholism are uncertain, established risk factors include social environment, emotional health, and genetic predisposition, which are all unique to every individual.

Treating Alcoholism

Treatments for alcoholism are quite varied because there are multiple perspectives about the condition itself. Medications are sometimes prescribed to help reduce the compulsion to drink. DailyStrength members have described their experiences with Antabuse, Naltrexone, and Campral.

Most treatment programs focus on helping discontinue alcohol intake, followed up with life training and social support in order to help resist returning to alcohol use. Since alcoholism involves multiple factors which encourage drinking, they must all be addressed in order to successfully prevent a relapse. A typical treatment program consists of detoxification followed by a combination of therapy, daily participation in support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, and ongoing development of coping mechanisms.

Alcoholism Resources and Support

DailyStrength's alcoholism support group makes it possible for you to find help from other everyday recovering alcoholics all around the world. You can chat, send and receive hugs, keep a recovery journal, and share your story as you build the personal support network you need to strengthen your sobriety. You might also find help in DailyStrengthís other support groups like Families & Friends of Addicts, Smoking Addiction, and Depression, a condition which affects many people in recovery.

You might also find help in DailyStrengthís other support groups like Families & Friends of Addicts, Smoking Addiction, and Depression, a condition which affects many people in recovery.

If you are new to recovery, or just returning, you may want to read through some of the sites listed below and share you recent experiences with others in DailyStrength's Alcoholism Forum.

• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies
• College Drinking Prevention, from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)