Fast Facts about Alcoholism
- Alcoholism is the 3rd highest contributor to deaths in the United States every year.
- Nearly 88,000 people die annually because of excessive alcoholism.
- According to the CDC, the excessive consumption of alcohol cost the country around $223.5 billion in the year 2006.
- On a daily basis, around 30 people die in America due to road accidents involving drunk drivers.
- Alcohol dependency amounts to 8% in women and 17% in men.
- Around 696,000 students aged between 18 and 24 years are victims of assault committed by students who have been drinking.
Alcoholism or alcohol use disorder as doctors usually term it as is an alcohol consumption pattern whether the affected person has trouble controlling their drinking habit, becomes too negligent with alcohol, continues alcohol consumption even after it causes problems for them, drinks increasing amounts of alcohol to experience the same level of intoxication, or has severe withdrawal symptoms when they quickly reduce or quit drinking altogether.
Unhealthy use of alcohol includes the consumption of any alcohol that can put your safety or health at risk or result in various other alcohol-related issues for you. This also takes into account problems like binge drinking where you consume more than a specified amount of alcohol (5 drinks for men and 4 for women in a span of 2 hours.
In case your drinking habits cause you considerable distress or problems in performing everyday tasks properly, you may be suffering from alcoholism. It may range between mild to severe, but even a mild condition can lead to severe health problems later.
Symptoms
There are several signs and symptoms that may point towards a possible case of alcoholism. These may include:
- The inability to limit the consumption of alcohol at a given time
- You want to or unsuccessfully attempt to reduce the amount you drink.
- You spend too much time on drinking and purchasing alcohol, or trying to recover from
- You crave for drinking alcohol.
- You are unable to keep up with your responsibilities and/or obligations at work or school because of too much alcohol.
- You can’t stop drinking even when you know it’s troubling you on a social, interpersonal, and physical level.
- You give up or cut down social activities or personal hobbies.
- You experience withdrawal symptoms like sweating, shaking, and nausea every time you try not o drink.
- You can’t help but drink even when you know it’s not safe – like before swimming or while driving.
- Your alcohol tolerance increases. It takes more drinks then before to get you intoxicated.
Recommended Supplements
While eating a healthy diet and regular exercise helps to manage Alcoholism, it is not enough to keep you fit and healthy. Supplements are essential for managing Alcoholism and reducing its symptoms. But it should be kept in mind that supplements should not be used to replace the treatment for Alcoholism. It is not always true that natural products are safe for use. Many products can react with your body and produce an adverse reaction. Thus, it is better to be safe and consult your before starting to use any supplements for managing your condition.
The following supplements have proven to benefit people with Alcoholism:
Artichoke
Artichoke is a good natural remedy for curing hangovers. In addition to that, the herb has also shown efficacy in controlling alcoholism in people. Also, artichoke is excellent for regulating liver health that may be at risk of damage because of excessive drinking.
Kudzu
Kudzu is a popular Chinese herb that has been used for years to treat alcoholism for over 200 years. Kudzu roots help alcoholics suppress any urges to consume alcohol that may arise owing to their condition. Kudzu extract can be dissolved in water or taken in dietary form to cure alcoholism.
Dandelion
Dandelion is an excellent garden remedy for alcoholism. The plant, especially its roots, promotes the production of bile in the body that curbs the alcohol cravings that you may develop from time to time given the influence of this condition.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is a wonder herb when it comes to treating alcoholism. Excessive consumption of alcohol is damaging for the liver and the gall bladder. The herb will control the urge to consume alcohol and simultaneously provide protection to the gall bladder and the liver, ensuring better health for alcoholics attempting to overcome the condition.
Blue Bonnet Evening Primrose Oil 1300 Mg Softgels
Studies have linked alcohol craving to the lack of PGE1 – a mood-boosting molecule – in the body. In the short run, alcohol increases the PGE1 levels in the body. PGE1 is made up of gamma-linolenic acid, which is found in abundance in evening primrose oil. If taken in moderated quantities, evening primrose oil softgels can help overcome alcoholism.
The above natural supplements are known to help in controlling and managing Alcoholism, but you should exercise proper caution and ask your doctor before adding any such supplements for in your diet. Herbs have lasting and strong effects on the body and can also interact with other drugs and medications, causing dangerous and adverse reactions. If you use any medication for your disease, talk to your doctor before you decide to start any supplements or herbal products to manage your health condition.