Chronic alcoholism- this is the third, final. This stage usually occurs after 5-10 years of regular drinking. Recurrent alcoholism is characterized by a long course with periods of remissions and exacerbations.
Symptoms of chronic alcoholism
Alcoholism is the result of prolonged drinking. According to WHO, in developed countries, the prevalence of alcoholism is 11-45 people per thousand. The vast majority of alcoholics are men, but female alcoholism develops faster and leads to more pronounced consequences.
In recent years, there has been an increasing trend. In addition, more and more often the disease is diagnosed in adolescence and youth. Symptoms of chronic alcoholism are quite diverse, while its severity progresses as the disease develops.
Alcoholism occurs against a background that gradually reaches critical manifestations. The pursuit of euphoria leads to an increase in the amount of alcohol consumed, and this, in turn, leads to psychological and emotional transformations.
III stage of alcoholism is characterized by the presence. This symptom is also indicative of the second stage, but in the third it takes forms that threaten health.
Abstinence is a state sharp deterioration well-being after stopping alcohol intake. Another name for the withdrawal syndrome is, but sometimes it is mistakenly called a hangover.
Other signs of chronic alcoholism:
- Long ;
- Changing ethical and moral standards;
- Decreased tolerance to alcohol (if at the second stage alcoholics drink a lot and do not get drunk, then it is not enough for a chronic alcoholic a large number liquor to get strong);
- Constant (fear, panic);
- Psychomotor retardation;
- Weakening of logical thinking;
- Consumption of low quality drinks and .
The value of alcohol in life (including biological) at the 3rd stage increases. Gradually, all the patient's attempts to resist alcohol craving stop, while he loses the last norms of social behavior. At this stage, patients appear multi-day binges. In narcology, cases have been recorded when drunken states lasted for months. In fact, the whole life of a chronic alcoholic is an incessant binge, because for short periods of sobriety, the body does not have time to clear itself of alcohol metabolites.
Psychological condition
Approximately 10-15% of patients with chronic alcoholism develop real. These include:
- delusional states;
- paranoid manifestations;
- Alcoholic delirium;
- epileptic seizures.
Leads to necrosis (death) of cells and even individual sections brain. It is characteristic that psychopathic symptoms manifest themselves both at the peak of the body's alcoholization and during periods of relative sobriety.
It leads to a weakening of attention, deterioration of cognitive abilities, dementia. The personality of an alcoholic is subject to degradation. Values such as family and moral imperatives fade into the background.
A chronic alcoholic constantly has unaccountable fears, anxiety, panic. These symptoms appear as soon as the body begins to free itself from the effects of alcohol. Eliminate anxiety is possible only by taking another dose of alcohol. There is such feature: inability to start any mental or physical activity without alcohol stimulation.
In people of the asthenic type, against the background of alcohol abuse, increased shyness, self-doubt, a sense of inferiority, and rapid exhaustion develop. The hysterical personality type is characterized by a tendency to bravado and deceit. Almost all alcoholics have trouble sleeping, sleep fitfully and never get enough time, leading to progressive exhaustion. nervous system.
Physical state
Usually, by the onset of the chronic stage, the internal organs of an alcoholic are affected to some extent by pathologies. Most often, these diseases are chronic. Wherein painful manifestations characteristic only for periods of relative sobriety. In a state of intoxication, an alcoholic does not hurt anything, since the body functions in an extreme mode.
Most characteristic pathologies with chronic alcoholism:
- Cardiac ischemia;
- ( , );
- — inflammatory process ;
- Hemolytic anemia;
- Nephropathy (kidney failure);
Due to the lack of tolerance to alcohol, intoxication occurs quickly, literally after a few glasses, and almost always reaches a severe stage. A significant proportion of patients develop, which are accompanied by depressed mood, suicidal tendencies, and tearfulness.
Why chronic alcoholism develops
Not all regularly drinking people become. According to drug addiction statistics, only one person out of 3 can become a chronic alcoholic.
Is:
- Heredity (direct relatives of alcoholics are about 10 times more likely to develop alcoholism than ordinary people);
- Mental warehouse of the personality (difficulties of social adaptation, suggestible personality type: a weak, poorly organized personality is more prone to manifestations of drug addiction);
- Features of education and social environment;
- The presence of an insufficient amount of certain enzymes, in particular alcohol dehydrogenase.
It has also been proven that climatic conditions play a certain role in the formation of dependence: the lower the temperature environment, the higher the likelihood of developing chronic alcoholism.
Diagnosis and treatment of chronic alcoholism
The classification of alcoholism by stages is to some extent conditional, since emotional dependence flows into physical dependence gradually. Chronic alcoholism is diagnosed in a drug treatment clinic based on special tests and diagnostic procedures.
The treatment of chronic alcoholism is complex and lengthy. Crucial has the desire of the patient himself to get rid of harmful addiction forever and radically change the course of his life. If the desires of the narcologist and the patient coincide, one can hope for a long-term therapeutic effect. But even in this case, guarantees complete cure no: a single breakdown can lead to a long binge.
To the list of anti-alcohol therapeutic methods includes:
- Symptomatic therapy;
- Vitamin therapy;
- Psychotherapeutic impact;
- Social.
It is better to treat protracted alcoholism in a hospital setting. Alcoholism - chronic and acute - leads to permanent metabolic changes in the patient's body. Ethanol becomes a full member metabolic processes, in particular, it concerns the stimulation of nerve cells. That is why the first stage of therapy is a mandatory detoxification of the body, that is, its complete disposal of poisons and alcohol metabolites.
Drug therapy
What is detox? This is an infusion-detoxification therapy using an intravenous drip. Part medicinal solution, which is used in detoxification, includes:
- Glucose;
- saline;
- Preparations for the protection of the liver and brain;
- Stimulators of cerebral circulation;
- Diuretics (diuretics);
- Sedative drugs.
Full detoxification can last several days, in some cases, hardware blood purification is prescribed.
Further drug treatment chronic alcoholism involves the use of prohibitive drugs. Such therapy is called aversive, that is, prohibitive. Drug treatment is based on fixing the patient's fear of death due to the combination of alcohol and drugs. Active ingredient most anti-alcohol drugs are
Many people allow themselves to drink a little on holidays or weekends to relax. If this is not a habit, then there is no reason to worry. But if a person drinks alcohol several times a week, or even more often, and does it in unlimited quantities, then this is chronic alcoholism. As a rule, the person himself does not see the problem, therefore, on anxiety symptoms family and friends should pay attention. There is a cure, but it will take a lot of effort.
What is this?
Chronic alcoholism is a condition of a person, which is characterized by frequent use alcohol in an uncontrolled amount. This is equated to a disease, moreover, severe and dangerous. If chronic alcoholism is not treated at this stage, it will develop into a strong physical and mental dependence.
This ailment is mainly found in men, although it is not uncommon in women. As soon as the first signs are noticed, immediate action must be taken. It is good if the person himself is determined to recover. But it can also happen that he begins to deny the presence of the disease. Then relatives will need to do everything so that he visits a doctor. Otherwise, the consequences will be terrible, and even possible.
Alcohol addiction is one of the strongest. And it can appear even in a person who grew up in a non-drinking family and, in principle, had never before been prone to alcohol. The disease occurs mainly in difficult life span. For example, divorce, the death of a loved one, job loss, and other negative events can push towards it. Wanting to experience relief, a person begins to drink, and each time the amount of alcohol becomes larger.
It is especially difficult to stop easily suggestible people and those who do not know how to resist life's problems.
If a person has a weak psyche and a changeable mood, then it is more likely that he will be overcome by chronic alcoholism. This can be prevented if you take care of your head in a timely manner. But sometimes it is too late, and serious treatment is required.
If the alcohol is used regularly, then the body is poisoned and narcotic intoxication occurs. Because of this, there is a violation of the structural elements of brain tissues, and they are responsible for the formation of sensations and affects. Further, alcohol addiction develops, and the cells begin to react differently to alcohol.
How is it developing?
It can be said for sure that chronic alcoholism does not appear instantly. A person who drinks once does not immediately become an alcoholic. Moreover, even if he drinks a couple of times a week for several months, this also does not mean that he is addicted. However, this behavior is cause for concern. After all, it is important to stop in time, and not everyone succeeds in this. Sometimes people do not even notice when they step over the line between the desire to drink for a holiday and dependence on alcohol.
It is believed that in men chronic alcoholism develops over 6-15 years. In women, the term is less - 4-5 years. During this time, dependence is formed. And the further it goes, the stronger it becomes. Note that genetic predisposition reduces the period to a year, so the children of drinking parents are at risk, and they need to be especially careful with a bad habit.
Before considering the signs of the disease, you need to understand the degrees:
- In the first stage, the patient has only an uncontrollable craving for alcohol. He feels the need to use.
- In the second stage, it is noted hangover syndrome. He says that the disease is fully formed, and a pathology of functioning has occurred. internal organs.
- In the third stage, resistance to alcohol decreases. A person loses balance, is in a drunken state. If you do not let it go to the bottle, then depression, panic, hysteria begin. The person can no longer resist and does not stop drinking. It doesn’t even matter to him whether the drink is of high quality or the cheapest.
Naturally, you need to start fighting, noticing the signs of chronic alcoholism of the first stage. The sooner action is taken, the higher the chance of a favorable outcome.
Main symptoms
It is not always easy to distinguish temporary cravings for alcohol from addiction. Sometimes it may seem that a person just sometimes drinks, when in fact he is already in the first stage of the disease. Particular attention should be paid to relatives and people around.
After all, the alcoholic himself, as a rule, does not see the problem until it is too late.
And the disease is serious and leads to irreversible consequences.
Chronic alcoholism symptoms:
- A person is regularly in a state of intoxication. He goes on a drinking binge for a few weeks or months. He takes hot drinks almost every day and cannot refuse them. Constantly looking for reasons to drink, or maybe they no longer need them.
- The functioning of the nervous system is disrupted. The alcoholic loses the sense of reality. He feels like he's in a dream. Unreasonable aggression and anger are possible, they are directed at oneself, at others. In some cases, hallucinations are noted: visual and auditory. There is a tremor of the limbs, sleep is disturbed, nightmares torment.
- Problems with the gastrointestinal tract appear or worsen. Gastritis, ulcers, cancer, cirrhosis can form. Possible involuntary urination.
Chronic alcoholism, the signs of which are listed, is not yet a sentence. Therefore, having noticed the above symptoms, you should not give up. There is still a chance to return to normal life if you start to be treated in a timely manner.
How to fight?
Treatment of chronic alcoholism will be possible only if it is really wanted by loved ones and the person himself.
Without a sufficient desire to achieve the desired result, it will not work, since the fight against cravings for alcohol is really difficult and lengthy. The methods to be applied depend on the stage of the disease. Now let's figure out what to do and how you can help an alcoholic.
If the dependence is in the first degree, then in this case the person needs to be taken out of the binge. Be sure to cleanse the body with drugs or folk remedies. Next, you will need to make an appointment with a psychotherapist who deals with this issue. An experienced specialist will be able to find the reason why bad habit, and then help to eliminate it.
Of course, not everything is so simple, and you will need to adhere to certain measures. And they apply regardless of the stage. The only question is how quickly it will be possible to achieve results. But we can say for sure that if an alcoholic is sufficiently motivated and ready to fight, then everything will work out for him.
What measures are taken:
- Medical treatment. Droppers, injections and special tablets are prescribed to help cleanse the body and restore the functioning of internal organs. Antidepressants can also be prescribed if there are problems with the nervous system.
- Visiting a psychotherapist. It is imperative that a person realizes the existence of a problem, then understands the reason and accepts it. This is an important step towards recovery. And it’s very difficult to figure it out on your own, so you need the help of a specialist.
- Nutritional diet. Considering the state of the body and the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to start eating right. Exclude from daily diet will have fatty, fried and spicy dishes. It is allowed to eat vegetables, fish and meat, but everything must be steamed or baked without oil. Add more fresh fruits and vitamins.
It is desirable that a doctor monitors changes in the patient's condition. And close people should make sure that the alcoholic does not break and does not return to addiction. Unfortunately, you can get used to alcoholic beverages very quickly, but it can be extremely difficult to give them up. But those who want to return to normal life and restore their health should start fighting addiction and not give up. After all, the treatment of chronic alcoholism is really possible, the main thing is to really want to recover.
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For successful treatment for such a serious disease as chronic alcohol dependence, it is important to determine the root cause of the disease.
The therapy is complex in nature to get rid of psychological and physical symptoms, as well as to restore the functioning of internal organs.
Most of the effects of alcoholism are irreversible, so it is imperative to follow in order to avoid relapse.
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Causes
Chronic alcoholism is a disease of a long-term nature, starting with alcohol abuse and turning over time into a strong mental and physical dependence. In the process of illness, a person loses control over his actions, gets used to large doses of alcohol, which leads to memory lapses, neurological, somatic and psychological disorders.
Against the background of prolonged alcohol intoxication of the body, the internal organs of the patient are affected. This causes additional health problems. The chronic form of the disease is the most difficult to treat and most often leads to death.
Among the main causes of uncontrolled alcohol consumption are:
- genetic factor (heredity and predisposition of a person to this disease);
- propensity to;
- closed character;
- unstable psyche;
- breakdown.
Statistics confirm that most often relatives and relatives of the drinking person fall ill with alcoholism. It's connected with psychological factor and a model of people's behavior (for example, children copy the behavior of adults and see them as an example to follow).
Currently, more and more problematic situations and stress at work or in the family lead a person to drink alcohol.
These people justify their choice by the opportunity to forget and isolate themselves from external problems, in which alcohol actively helps them. However, this method is far from being a way out of the situation, but only aggravating one's position in society and one's own health.
stages
Chronic alcoholism is caused by the development (or otherwise - the withdrawal syndrome), in which the patient has an uncontrollable desire to get drunk. At this time, a person experiences fear, depressed mood and sleep disturbance. In this case, cases of auditory or visual hallucinations are not uncommon, excessive sweating, physical weakness and .
The gradual development of chronic alcoholism is divided into 3 stages:
| First stage | The emergence of resistance to alcohol, increased craving for alcohol, increased loss of control over the situation and one's own behavior, cases of amnesia, frequent drops mood, increased fatigue and irritability, decreased performance. withdrawal syndrome does not develop at the first stage. |
| Second | Increased resistance to drinking, prolonged and severe binges, even greater decline in performance, fast fatiguability, hysterical behavior, aggressiveness, decrease in intelligence, development of withdrawal syndrome. |
| Third | The most severe form of the disease, characterized by many days of binges, deep amnesia, serious intoxication of the body during a hangover, and a decrease in resistance to alcohol. The latter has two consequences:
|
Symptoms of chronic alcoholism
Alcohol dependence develops only as a result of prolonged abuse alcoholic drinks. Appears in the background domestic drunkenness reached a critical size. The desire to get away from reality and the surrounding problems of the real world leads to serious problems of a psychological and physical kind.
According to statistics, in developed countries the level of alcoholism is much lower than in poorer countries. There are only 11 to 45 sick people per 1,000 citizens.
However, one should not forget that many do not seek help, embarrassed by their illness or even believing that they have the situation under control (they do not have health problems). Therefore, official data on alcohol dependence should be much higher.
Despite the fact that the male population accounts for 80-85% of patients with alcoholism, among women the disease develops much faster and leads to more pronounced. It is also worth noting that the disease begins to "get younger", manifesting itself in the younger generation.
Symptoms of chronic alcoholism can be divided into three types - general, physical and psychological. The main (general) symptoms related more to the second and mean:
- prolonged binges;
- constant feeling of fear, fear, panic;
- deterioration of logical thinking;
- psychomotor retardation;
- gradual loss of moral and personal qualities, the appearance of aggression;
- decrease in tolerance to alcohol;
- the use of any alcoholic beverages, even low quality.
By the third stage of the development of the disease, the patient's life turns into an incessant binge, because during the period of temporary refusal to use, lasting from a couple of hours to several days, the body does not have time to clear itself of alcohol.
| Physical | When the disease progresses to chronic stage in most cases, the patient has a lesion of the internal organs. More often pain in connection with these lesions, the drinker notices only during the period of sobriety, since alcohol dulls the pain, and the body begins to work in an extreme mode for it, wearing out a lot. Physical symptoms include the following:
In chronic alcohol dependence, intoxication occurs quickly and in almost all cases reaches a severe degree. |
| Psychological | Alcohol has a serious effect on the nervous system. Alcohol poisoning leads to the death of nerve cells and some parts of the brain. In the chronic form of the disease, a person degrades:
A chronic alcoholic is defined by fear and panic that appear for no good reason during sobriety or when the effect of drinking weakens, as well as the inability to carry out any activity (physical or mental) without an additional dose of alcohol. About 15% of patients with stage 3 chronic alcoholism fall ill with psychosis. Their condition is manifested in the following symptoms:
In people of weak physique, alcohol abuse causes self-doubt, timidity, and a sense of inferiority. A person who is prone to hysterical manifestations begins to actively lie. Progressive physical exhaustion, lack of sleep, and intoxication of the nervous system are characteristic symptoms of almost all alcoholics. Most patients often experience depression, suicidal thoughts, depressed mood, and tearfulness. |
Treatment
In the treatment of chronic alcoholism, it is necessary to prepare for the fact that complex therapy will be long-term.
For a complete recovery and refusal of alcohol, the desire of the patient himself is necessary. However, even in this case there are no absolute guarantees, since at the first breakdown a long and heavy binge will follow, after which the treatment will have to be started anew.
Diagnosis of the disease occurs in the narcological clinic with the help of special tests for various purposes. The list of therapeutic measures prescribed to the patient includes:
- detoxification (removal of toxins from the body);
- symptomatic therapy;
- vitamin therapy;
- social rehabilitation;
- medicines;
- psychotherapeutic impact.
Alcoholism causes serious metabolic changes in the patient's body, so it is important to treat it exclusively in stationary conditions under the supervision of experts.
Separately, it is worth highlighting drug detoxification and psychotherapy. Getting rid of the body from the metabolites and poisons of alcohol must be carried out first.
The patient is injected intravenously with a dropper medicinal product, containing:
- sedatives;
- saline;
- stimulants to restore cerebral circulation;
- glucose;
- funds for the protection of the nervous system and liver;
- diuretics.
Detox can take several days last resort hardware blood purification is prescribed. Only after the removal of toxins, drug treatment continues, including prohibitive (aversive) therapy aimed at developing a negative conditioned reflex reaction.
Among such anti-alcohol drugs, disulfiram is distinguished. It turns ethanol into a toxin, which causes a sharp deterioration in the patient's well-being. Also used to reduce alcohol cravings medicine Naltrexone, which also helps to avoid relapses.
During the patient's complex treatment, special preference is given to psychotherapy, which helps in the following aspects:
- choose a life without alcohol;
- find life guidelines and goals;
- to avoid nervous breakdowns and relapses;
- develop an aversion to alcohol.
One of medical methods The use of stress psychotherapy according to Dovzhenko is considered, the effectiveness of which was also noted among those patients who are not prone to suggestion through hypnosis.
Social rehabilitation is also necessary to return recovered people to normal full life. For this purpose, group or individual sessions are held.
It is worth noting that the treatment of chronic alcoholism at home is possible, but only after consulting a doctor and receiving recommendations from him. Proven remedies can be used to help the patient traditional medicine, such as:
- barberry juice;
- root of the gospel;
- pumpkin seeds;
- and other fees.
Consultation with a doctor is necessary due to possible allergic reactions for some medicinal plants or the presence of individual intolerance. It is also worth remembering that experts do not recommend using only folk ways therapy, and advise first of all to seek help from the clinic.
Prevention
A healthy lifestyle is the key to maintaining wellness person. People who have recovered from chronic alcoholism must follow preventive measures, such as:
- seeking psychological counseling;
- visiting the society of anonymous alcoholics;
- avoidance of drinking companies;
- playing sports;
- walks in the open air;
- compliance proper diet food rich in vitamins;
- finding an interesting hobby;
- etc.
In the process of treatment, the patient is explained the danger of the disease and possible irreversible consequences, and also helps to develop an aversion to alcohol.
It should be noted that for some people compliance preventive measures is required throughout life, even taking into account the absence of a similar disease in the past. These include people at risk, such as:
- with a certain mental make-up of the personality (suggestible, poorly organized, having difficulties in social adaptation, prone to depressive states and poorly enduring stressful situations);
- having poor heredity (the chances of developing alcoholism in direct and immediate relatives of an alcoholic increase up to 10 times);
- living in an unfavorable social environment;
- having an insufficient amount of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, which contributes to the oxidation of alcohols.
Dependence on drinking develops at a slow pace, therefore, when the first symptoms of alcoholism appear, the patient needs to qualified help and psychological support of loved ones.
Currently, the Russian government is actively fighting for the health of its citizens through a ban on alcohol advertising and its sale in evening time, the release of social videos and special programs helping to stop drinking.
Consequences
With such serious illness in most cases, damage to tissues and internal organs is irreversible. First of all, with prolonged alcoholism suffer:
- nervous system;
- heart and blood vessels;
- liver.
Against the background of physical disorders appear psychological problems(for example, neuroses). The patient has an increased risk of death due to:
- lung cancer;
- tuberculosis;
- bronchitis;
- heart attack.
Many people do not think about the consequences that drinking alcohol can lead to. Some diseases cannot be cured after the patient has decided to stop drinking, because with a long course of the disease they become irreversible.
The result of alcoholism can be:
- impotence;
- infertility;
- miscarriage;
- the birth of children with birth defects.
The chronic form is a danger of a social nature, as the patient becomes a threat to his loved ones, family, friends, work colleagues. In a state of severe intoxication, a person is able to hurt himself or other people.
Among the social consequences of the disease, there is an increase in disability, mortality and crime. More than 72% of cases of crimes committed in Russia occurred in a state of high alcohol intoxication. Alcoholic beverages cause the death of more than 500 thousand people a year in the country.
Chronic alcoholism of any stage of development requires a long complex treatment. The disease has a pronounced symptomatology and occurs gradually with a long and regular use alcohol.
Most of the consequences of the disease are irreversible, which is why it is recommended to start therapy as early as possible and adhere to preventive measures to avoid relapse.
And not a habit, and therefore, in order to rid a person of it, you need special treatment. Persuasion and punishment are useless here. The patient will promise to stop drinking dozens of times, but will never do it without outside help.
One of the most common disorders of the nervous system in an alcoholic is a violation. Sleep in patients is superficial, often accompanied by nightmares. noted increased irritability, short temper, intolerance to the slightest confrontation. The mood of an alcoholic often changes, the circle of interests is sharply narrowed. Sometimes there is weakness. A patient with chronic alcoholism is characterized by rudeness in relations with others, cynicism, memory impairment. From all these manifestations of the disease, the family suffers first of all.
In his drunkenness, an alcoholic usually blames others who "brought him to such a life." This is, first of all, a wife, bosses, colleagues at work, life failures. But, as a rule, an alcoholic takes the cause for the effect - it was not life's failures that brought him to the disease, but the disease was the cause of these failures.
An alcoholic is easy to recognize. Characteristic for him is a kind of trembling of the fingers, appearance, is distinguished by untidiness and neglect, the look wanders. The patient's face is often edematous, bags hang under the eyes, the facial vessels in the nose area are dilated and therefore the nose has a purple-purple hue with numerous veins. The skin of the face is wrinkled and flabby.
Often a patient with alcoholism cannot do small work (watchmaker, mechanic or compositor) and therefore is forced to retrain.
In chronic alcoholism, all internal organs are affected. As a rule, all alcoholics are sick, often they are affected and the cardiovascular system. Most common cause patients is accompanied by ascites ().
All alcoholics have a metabolic disorder, the assimilation of vitamins is sharply reduced, which contributes to the weakening of the body and the development of a particular disease.
Sometimes the pathological craving for alcohol is periodic. The patient may not drink anything for 1-3 months at all, but then he is suddenly seized by an irresistible craving for alcohol, and he drinks for many days in a row.
The binge cannot be stopped by any persuasion. An alcoholic, being in a state of binge, can quit his job, drink things, an apartment, commit a crime. Before the onset of binge, patients usually experience a depressed mood, hopelessness, and incomprehensible melancholy. Characteristically, no alcoholic will ever admit to being an alcoholic. He will claim, quite convincingly, that he can stop drinking at any time, at will. But this almost never happens.
Alcoholism is one of the types of drug addiction. Its consequences are personality changes, psychotic episodes, alcoholic psychoses, disturbances in the work of internal organs, and. Over time, the body's response to alcohol consumption changes. Changes in response are expressed in:
a) loss of self-control (the desire to continue drinking alcohol after taking the initial dose);
b) the development of a hangover syndrome (withdrawal);
c) changes in tolerance to alcohol.
Loss of self-control is one of the most early symptoms alcoholism. It is expressed in the fact that after taking the first doses of alcohol, the patient is drawn to continue this process and take more and more doses of alcoholic beverages. A chronic alcoholic can no longer stop after the first or second glass.
Hangover syndrome is one of the main signs of alcoholism. It is characterized by the fact that after the past intoxication, a depressed mood appears and a number of autonomic disorders which include: sweating, hand trembling, sleep disorders (superficial sleep, dreams that are threatening). With a pronounced hangover syndrome, the patient may experience epileptic seizures, and sometimes visual and auditory hallucinations. All these phenomena disappear after taking a small dose of alcohol.
The severity of the hangover syndrome depends on the degree of chronic alcoholism, the time of constant alcohol consumption and a number of other reasons, withdrawal symptoms can be observed in chronic alcoholics from several hours to 3-4 weeks, depending on the severity of alcoholism. Sleep disturbances and sweating are especially persistent.
The change in tolerance (tolerance) to alcohol in a chronic alcoholic sharply increases - he can take a dose of alcohol far exceeding the toxic one. If the patient's alcoholism lasts long time, tolerance to alcohol falls - an alcoholic can get drunk from the smallest amount of alcohol taken. It depends on the general weakening of the body and, especially, on the weakening of the liver.
Chronic alcoholism begins after the first glass. First, a person drinks on holidays, then - when situations arise that reduce mood, with failures at work and at home. Often alcohol intake is associated with certain days of the week (Saturday, Sunday, payday). At this stage, the dose of alcohol taken increases dramatically. The protective gag reflex is lost. Increasingly, a person begins to get drunk until he "loses consciousness." In this initial period of alcoholism, the phenomena of abstinence are still absent or not expressed sharply.
At the first stage of alcoholism, patients are characterized by pronounced asthenic manifestations. These include absent-mindedness, irritability, superficial sleep and early awakening. Often in this period there is suspiciousness and constantly lowered mood. The phenomena of asthenia last up to 4 weeks after the cessation of alcohol consumption.
With further systematic intake of alcohol, all these phenomena gradually increase, a stable withdrawal syndrome appears. For its relief, the patient needs much larger doses of alcohol than in the first stage. The form of drinking is also changing. After evening alcohol intake and morning sobering, the craving for alcohol becomes aggravated again, and by the evening the patient is again in a state of deep intoxication. Drinking alcohol becomes almost daily. Morning alcohol intake alternates with evening. The period of drinking ends only with the end of money or under severe pressure from others.
All patients with chronic alcoholism by emotional type can be divided into 4 categories:
1) Asthenic type, in which, against the background of increased alcohol intake, indecision, timidity, a sense of inferiority, and rapid exhaustion of the nervous system occur;
2) Apathetic type, which is characterized sharp narrowing range of interests, indifference to one's future fate and the fate of loved ones, lack of plans for the future;
3) Unstable type. In such patients, the period Have a good mood replaced by outbursts of malice. His character is explosive and unpredictable.
4) Hysterical type. This type of patients is prone to boastfulness, showiness and bravado. Hysterical alcoholics are usually deceitful, never keep their word, can make a lot of promises and never keep them.
At this stage of alcoholism, there are no gross changes in alcoholism, however, all patients are characterized by the absence of criticism of their condition, attempts to explain alcohol abuse by external causes. Patients almost never resort to treatment at this stage, and if this happens, it is only under pressure from others.
The next stage of alcoholism is characterized by the appearance of so-called binges, which can last from several days to several weeks. Even a small intake of alcohol can serve as a reason for binge drinking. conflict situation(in the family, at work). In a state of binge, the patient develops traits of malice, aggressiveness. He becomes quick-tempered, does not listen to the opinions of others. Intoxication is often accompanied by chronic insomnia, loss of appetite, and the appearance of anxiety and depression. The duration of interbinge states is due to various social and domestic reasons and ranges from 3-4 days to 3-4 weeks.
With more severe forms binge withdrawal phenomena are expressed so sharply that the patient needs to "get drunk" within a few hours after drinking alcohol. On the very first night, after the onset of the binge, patients resort to alcohol several times, sometimes every 2-3 hours, and thus are in a state of intoxication for days. A single intake of alcohol is 150-200 grams, but daily dose can reach 1.5-2 liters.
During a heavy binge, the patient's consciousness becomes stupor, speech becomes slurred, they think poorly and hardly answer questions. From the beginning of the binge, patients hardly sleep, and against the background of superficial drowsiness, they often have hallucinations.
The physical condition of patients at this time deteriorates sharply. Their blood pressure drops, (cardiac arrhythmias), swelling,. General weakness and dizziness often chain the patient to bed, sometimes depriving him of the opportunity to pick up a glass of vodka. Sometimes the weakness and stupefaction of the patient are so great that there is involuntary urination and defecation.
After stopping the intake of alcohol, the phenomena of stunning gradually disappear, but the phenomena of withdrawal intensify. The mood of patients during this period is wary-shy, they are engaged in self-flagellation, they are teary. In the first days after the end of the binge, against the background of complete insomnia, acute alcoholic psychosis () may develop. (Doctor Uzhegov)
Find something else of interest:
There are several stages in the development of such a condition as chronic alcoholism, in which the disease is accompanied by several characteristic symptoms. Narcologists note that the pathological dependence caused by ethyl alcohol develops in men more often than in women. Prolonged intoxication causes disruption of all systems of the patient's body, leading to the formation of serious changes. Alcoholic disease is dangerous pathology requiring long-term treatment.
What is chronic alcoholism
A disease characterized by a pathological dependence on ethanol is called chronic alcoholic disease. People with this attraction have psychopathic disorders and pathologies of internal organs caused by long-term use alcohol-containing drinks in large quantities. hallmark alcoholic disease is considered to be a change in tolerance towards ethanol and the formation of an abstinence syndrome.
Alcoholism has two main pathological effects on the body of a person suffering from addiction:
- narcotic effect;
- toxic effect of alcohol on organs and systems.
Alcoholism develops under the influence of several reasons. Progress is influenced by the frequency and volume of fluids consumed in conjunction with the individual characteristics of the organism. Some people are more likely than others to develop addiction due to their specific environment, mental predisposition, and emotional state(high suggestibility, constant fear, depression).
Often there is a hereditary (genetic) cause of the disease. The dependence of the formation of addiction to ethanol on the mutation of the gene encoding the serotonin transfer protein has been established. Experts note that direct relatives of an alcoholic are 7-10 times more likely to become addicted to drinking ethanol-containing drinks than people whose family did not have drinking members.
Russian narcologists identify several main risk factors for the development of alcohol dependence:
- Ethyl alcohol tolerance. To achieve a state of euphoria, the body requires a large dose of alcohol, which the systems are not able to eliminate without complications. Each time the drunk dose increases, and intoxication becomes stronger.
- Abuse. People who drink rarely and moderately do not suffer from alcoholism. To prevent the development of male and female alcoholism, narcologists recommend drinking alcohol in the following quantities: women are allowed 1 glass of wine or 50 ml of vodka per day, men - 2 glasses of wine or 75 ml of vodka.
- Psycho-emotional stress. Prolonged development of certain disorders (depression, psychopathic pathologies) increase a person's risk of developing addiction.
- Early start. Minors are very vulnerable to the damaging effects of alcohol. They develop an addiction in about five years.
- Chronic pathologies of internal organs. Violation of the excretion of waste products and diseases of the digestive system contributes to the development of dependence.
- stress and physical stress. Absence good rest lead to dependence on caffeine, nicotine and alcohol.
Excessive and constant use of alcohol disrupts the functioning of all systems. In such patients, pathologies of internal organs are often diagnosed: heart disease, changes in the function of the liver, stomach, kidneys; in severe cases, cirrhosis develops and chronic hepatitis. Ethyl alcohol adversely affects the heart, causing myocardial infarction. Alcohol abuse leads to irreversible changes in brain function and mental addiction from this substance, emotional swings.
Stages of chronic alcoholism
Dependence on alcoholic beverages develops gradually. The stages and signs of chronic alcoholism are characterized gradual increase a person's need for alcohol and the inability to control their desires. The abusing person ceases to objectively assess the situation. Beer alcoholism is slightly different from vodka, but develops imperceptibly. Treatment of the disease depends on the stage of addiction and the mental state of the patient.
A person in the first stage gradually increases the dose he drinks, quickly loses control of himself and behaves cheekily. If he has chronic pancreatitis, gastritis or liver pathology, then alcohol intoxication occurs faster. The patient can hardly overcome the desire to drink, realizing that he is excessively attracted to alcoholic beverages. Therapy of a patient in the first stage of addiction is often successful.
Among the symptoms of the second stage of addiction, an abstinence syndrome is distinguished, characterized by a desire to hangover the next day after heavy drinking. The patient develops resistance to small doses, so he begins to use about half a liter strong drinks per day. The patient has insomnia, irritability, aggressiveness, alcoholic encephalopathy, amnesia. Due to the toxic effects of alcohol, a gag reflex often occurs.
Alcohol degradation in the third stage progresses. Pathological intoxication leads to chronic intoxication organism. The third stage of alcoholism is manifested by severe symptoms. In a sick person, there are serious changes in all internal systems and his personality is deteriorating. There is a violation of speech, thinking, intelligence decreases due to the destruction of the brain. Long binges can be replaced by short breaks, and relapses of alcohol intoxication are very difficult to bear. This form of intoxication often ends in death.
Symptoms of chronic alcoholism
Early symptoms of alcoholic disease are invisible. The person may look happy, but begins to feel discomfort, which decreases after taking the dose. In the future, with the formation of pathology, the patient becomes irritable or may show rage if he is not allowed to drink. Withdrawal syndrome is severe, and a person experiences hangover changes in the functioning of the body: loss of appetite, tremor, fever, sweating. Due to the destruction of cerebral vessels and many neurotransmitter receptors, epileptic seizures are possible.
Mental condition
A patient with the second and third stages of alcoholic disease requires psychotherapy, because a person cannot stop himself and often does not understand that he has serious problems. The mood of the patient quickly changes from depressive to aggressive. In severe situations, an alcoholic may see visual hallucinations and be subjected to alcoholic psychosis. Such conditions require hospitalization with long-term rehabilitation in special centers.
Physical state
Chronic alcoholics gradually develop many diseases of the internal organs. Often in a sober state, patients experience pain that decreases or completely disappears after drinking alcohol. Alcoholic beverages cause the following pathologies:
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels - hypertension, arrhythmia, heart attack, stroke;
- disruption of the digestive system - chronic gastritis, pancreatitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, stomach ulcers;
- kidney pathology - nephropathy, change water-salt balance blood plasma.
Treatment of chronic alcoholism
To achieve long-term remission, the patient must undergo a phased medication course drug treatment and get psychological support. Patient care steps:
- exclusion of alcoholic beverages;
- the formation of disgust for them;
- reduction of intoxication of the body;
- treatment of concomitant diseases;
- psychological impact on the patient;
- social rehabilitation.
Prevention of chronic alcoholism
To avoid the formation of an alcoholic disease, it is necessary to limit the use of alcoholic beverages as much as possible. Individuals at risk who have drinking relatives in the family should give up ethyl alcohol completely. Often, loneliness, as well as idleness, contributes to the development of addiction. People who feel depressed with lack of demand should find themselves a hobby of interest to communicate with non-drinking acquaintances. If there is already an addiction, then you need to seek help as soon as possible, without waiting for the degradation of the personality.
Stages of chronic alcoholism and their signs
Good day. Unfortunately, alcohol modern world is one of the most popular products. Every average person uses it in large or small quantities, without even realizing what consequences an evening in the company of pleasure drinks can entail. The development of alcoholism for most of us begins imperceptibly - this is the biggest danger. Today I want to touch upon such an issue as the stages of chronic alcoholism and their signs.
To date, the term "chronic alcoholism" is recognized as obsolete. The name of the disease sounds like “Alcohol Dependence Syndrome” (according to ICD F 10.2 and F10.3) The disease has three stages:
- Stage 1 - initial (activating, neurasthenic);
- Stage 2 - expanded (stabilizing, drug addict);
- Stage 3 - initial (tonic, encephalopathic).
Stages of alcoholism and their signs
Any alcoholic drink contains ethyl alcohol, which is a strong neuroparalytic poison. It damages all systems and organs human body Moreover, with regular use it is addictive. Experts have identified the main stages of alcoholism, which are characterized by the following conditions:
The first stage of alcohol dependence syndrome
In this case, a slight psychological activity can be noted. If there are no alcoholic beverages at hand, or there are no material resources for it, then the dependence gradually disappears. Here it is important to note the fact that a person who has an initial stage of alcoholism will not refuse to drink a dose of ethanol if he is offered or has the opportunity to purchase it. Significant physical pathologies are not observed at this stage, with the exception of mild addiction, the desire to drink a glass with friends or after a hard day's work. In some cases, a person can dilute his loneliness with alcohol.
At the first stage of alcoholism, the patient gradually loses the mechanism of protection against a large amount of alcohol drunk - the gag reflex. For a narcologist, this is one of the main evidence that a person develops an alcohol dependence syndrome.
The duration of this stage is from one to six years.
In order to protect a person from further development of addiction, it is quite enough to simply divert his attention, switch to activities that are not related to alcohol, or fill all his free time with activities that do not involve drinking alcohol. But, if this is not done in a timely manner, the first stage of alcoholism gradually develops into a more serious problem. At this stage, the patient rarely falls into the hands of a narcologist.
The second stage of alcoholism
At this stage, a person has a “social9raquo; personality degradation. There is a constant obsessive desire to drink alcohol. Everyday affairs do not distract from this desire, and even being very busy, a person admits thoughts about how it would be nice to have a drink, and in some cases lives in anticipation of the moment (as you know, most hard-working people drink a glass on weekends or even on weekends). end of business day).
Formed alcohol withdrawal (hangover) syndrome. This is the main symptom of the second stage of alcoholism.
Also, the 2nd stage of alcoholism is characterized by the appearance of a "tolerance plateau". That is, the patient can no longer drink indefinitely.
The critical attitude towards alcohol almost completely disappears - drinks that contain alcohol become habitual. The picture of intoxication is changing: there is no former euphoria, it is replaced by aggressiveness, quarrelsomeness, disinhibition and motor restlessness.
Apogee of the second stage of alcoholism - alcoholic delirium (« delirium tremens", psychosis).
Duration - 10 - 20 years. This stage of alcoholism may not pass into the third.
Treatment of stage 2 alcoholism must begin as soon as possible, because in the absence of attention, a person will smoothly move to the next, more severe stage of alcoholism.
The third stage of alcoholism
This stage develops after 10-20 years from the onset of the disease. The average age is 45 years.
From psychological dependence smoothly flows into the physical, as the body is already getting used to regular doses of alcohol and stops releasing important hormones - as a result, a person simply cannot stop drinking. Drinking is constant.
going on complete exhaustion all resources of the body. Again, a gag reflex may occur with alcohol poisoning. There are diseases such as alcoholic encephalopathy, liver cirrhosis, polyneuropathy, alcoholic epilepsy.
Also, the 3rd stage of alcoholism is characterized by the fact that tolerance to alcohol falls. The patient can drink much less ethanol. He switches to weaker drinks (wine more often). Uses surrogates ("fanfuriki9raquo;").
The picture of intoxication is changing. Alcohol tones less. From "violent9raquo; the alcoholic becomes “quiet.” Characterized by alcoholic degradation of personality and psychosis.
If you can still try to cure the first stages of alcoholism on your own - look for new hobbies, do not get hung up on drinking alcohol, then grade 3 alcoholism requires the intervention of a specialist from the outside.
Chronic alcoholism causes irreparable harm to human health and all organs - pathological changes in the nervous tissue begin, and the liver gradually degenerates, and prerequisites for cirrhosis arise.
If therapy takes place at a compulsory level, a person develops symptoms that are characteristic of drug withdrawal, they occur against the background of a withdrawal syndrome. At this moment, the behavior of an alcoholic becomes unpredictable, he loses his human appearance (up to delirium tremens), behaves violently, aggressively.
With the systematic use of alcoholic beverages, pathological changes in the structure of blood vessels begin to form, the organs of the gastrointestinal tract suffer, primarily the liver. Oncological diseases are quite possible, but they do not bother the patient, since he is busy with the only thing - searching for a new dose of alcohol, interest in social life he disappears completely.
If the first stage of alcoholism has minor symptoms, it is enough for a person to drink a couple of glasses of good wine, then final stages alcoholics to taste and cologne, alcohol tinctures and even windshield wipers. At the same time, it is worth noting the fact that only an experienced specialist can remove a person from binge at this stage - without the next dose of ethanol received, the body will begin to rebel, which can even lead to lethal outcome. In this case, detoxification is required, as well as long-term treatment (social adaptation).
How to treat chronic alcoholism
- As for therapy, in the last stages it is necessary to turn to experienced doctors. Today, there is a whole range of measures and methods that will help get a person out of hard drinking, as well as discourage him from drinking alcohol:
1. Aversive therapy. The method has been widely used in Soviet times and was known as "URT - Conditioned Reflex Therapy". Doctors prescribe certain medications (disulfiram) that help induce an aversion to alcohol by forming conditioned reflex. These drugs are safe for the body of a sober person, but when interacting with alcohol, they cause severe vomiting, weakness and malaise. Thus, after several such “binge drinking” against the background of Disulfiram, a person will be able to give up alcohol, remembering how disgusting his state of health was last time.
2. Psychological therapy. It will be relevant if the patient is fully aware of his problem. This practice is very effective - after long and regular sessions, a person begins to realize what an irreparable evil alcohol carries in himself and refuses it completely. Here, a psychotherapist and a medical psychologist play a huge role in the treatment.
3. Detoxification. The methodology is very similar to the set of measures that doctors carry out when food poisoning. This method does not eliminate the desire to drink, but allows you to protect the body from the harm caused by the breakdown of alcohol in the blood.
4. Social adaptation. Regardless of what stages of alcoholism have been diagnosed, a person decides to completely stop drinking and embark on the path of correction. This method is relevant only for those who are fully aware of their addiction and intend to fight it to the bitter end.
How to determine the stage of alcoholism?
Remember, no one can make a diagnosis of chronic alcoholism in absentia.
A patient is admitted to the dispensary with a diagnosis of “Alcohol Dependence Syndrome” only after being examined by a psychiatrist-narcologist. No other doctor can make this diagnosis.
- In the first stage of alcoholism, the patient drinks "like a horse." Quantitative control over drinking is lost. He "gets it all right" when he drinks. Vomiting reflex when poisoned with alcohol, it fades away. An alcoholic is limited to one day of drinking alcohol at intervals of several days. Sometimes short-term (no more than 2 days) excesses may occur, in which a hangover is not observed.
- How to determine the second stage of alcoholism? A hangover appears. Drinking alcohol becomes regular, a person takes alcohol in order to celebrate this or that event, after which he can refrain from consuming ethanol from 3 to 10-13 days. The end of the process is most often associated with external factors- money runs out, or conflicts begin in the family about this. In such a situation, the sooner qualified assistance is provided, the better, since treatment becomes difficult in the future.
- The disease of alcoholism in the final stage implies the constant use of alcohol against the background of a decrease in tolerance. It is impossible for a person to refuse the use of ethanol due to poor physical health. This stage is characterized by short, maximum weekly, binges, alcoholic degradation of the personality.
And one more thing: it is impossible to put a patient on a dispensary register! After the examination, the narcologist is obliged to explain to the patient what the dispensary registration is and how long it lasts, according to what schedule you need to visit the narcologist, what social and legal restrictions arise in connection with the registration with the narcologist. The patient MUST personally sign the documents that he agrees to be on dispensary observation at the narcologist. They are kept in his outpatient card at all times.
Good day! Haven't you wondered why.
Be that as it may, but alcohol is an integral part of humanity throughout its existence. And if we proceed from the stages of chronic alcoholism and their signs, then the initial stage can be noted in almost all citizens of adult age. The second stage is also a large number population is present. Therefore, the main task here is that it really does not flow into a physiological dependence.
Yes, even minors. As the famous joke goes, at the age when Americans are allowed to drink, Russians are already quitting. In practice, indeed, in the senior classes and in the first years of universities, young people drink a lot and often, and then, as they grow up and line up family relations drastically reduces the frequency of alcohol consumption
You know, they say there are no ex-smokers. The same applies to alcohol. The husband quit smoking (it happened) not of his own free will, he simply could not smoke for a long time when he had an accident. Then I decided that it was not worth it to start. And for eight years he has not smoked at all, but he understands that if he smokes at least one cigarette, he will not quit. Therefore, he holds on, although he says that he has a desire to smoke. With alcohol, I think it's more difficult. It is almost impossible to cure it. Only if a person really understands that this is poison for him, then with the help of doctors he will be able to refrain from alcohol. That is, willpower. And is it long enough?