According to statistics, men are twice as likely to experience alcohol dependence. Our society considers the regular use of alcohol to be absolutely normal, despite the fact that the consequences of alcoholism in men are very deplorable for both him and his family.
This view is, of course, disastrous and needs to be reconsidered. Alcoholism is a serious disease that destroys a person's psyche and general health. Requires a holistic medical approach. As practice shows, even beer leads to stable alcoholism. It is with him that this disease begins, and later a person turns to strong alcohol.
External signs of alcoholism
Addiction is formed and developed gradually, step by step. It is possible to recognize the presence of alcoholism and its development by a number of characteristic signs of alcoholism in men. Psychologists and narcologists have developed the main symptoms by which a person can recognize the initial alcoholism:
- an irresistible craving for alcohol, one seeks the strangest reasons to justify one's desire to drink;
- aggression towards family members, friends, work colleagues;
- lethargy and fatigue;
- speech disorders;
- musculoskeletal disorders;
- knowledge in communication with strangers;
- apathy, mood swings;
- deterioration of general well-being.
These are the first signs of incipient alcoholism, which can last up to 10 years. At this stage, they are easily missed, as often happens. The woman just doesn't pay attention to them. He thinks that the man relieves stress after work, tries to escape problems with a can of beer or a glass of brandy. Meanwhile, the disease is not standing still and continues to progress.
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Causes of male alcoholism
The problem of male alcoholism is dictated by the difference between the psychology of women and men. Males are less adaptable to changing external conditions and resort to alcohol as a way to distract from the problems and worries that arise on it. In addition, men are more likely to resist persuasion to undergo rehabilitation, believing that they are able to cope on their own.
But this is not the case - in addition to physical dependence, alcoholism brings profound changes in personality from the first months of abuse. The external environment often consists of the same alcoholics over time, which also hinders healing.
Every second family in our country will face the problem of alcoholism in the future or has already faced it. This affects all members of the family without exception, especially children. In general, the causes of this dependence can be divided into three types:
- social;
- psychological;
- physiological.
They can appear individually or in combination. Social reasons include the presence of drinking friends in the environment. Social status plays a special role, as people with good jobs and higher education are less likely to face the problem of addiction. It is especially necessary to emphasize the presence of stress at work, the level of well-being.
Psychological factors are:
- mental imbalance;
- insufficient level of self-control;
- poor motivation for professional and mental development;
- the presence of complexes;
- low self-esteem.
There are a number of other factors that can lead to alcoholism in men. Here are just the most common.
There is another group of factors that cause constant drunkenness - factors of a physiological nature. These are metabolic disorders that lead to the rapid development of addiction and hereditary factors. If there have been cases of alcoholism in previous generations, they are likely to be relevant to future descendants. One believes that one will not become addicted and can easily give up alcohol at any time. Such a phenomenon is characteristic of alcoholics at all stages of alcoholism.
You can recognize the alcoholic by his eyes and eyes. Ethanol has a negative effect on the eyes, they become "glassy" and tired. Over time, bags appear under the eyes and puffiness. Such a person looks tired. This indirectly indicates the presence of diseases of the internal organs.
From a person who constantly drinks, often comes the smell of alcoholic "smoke", which is difficult to confuse with another. People who are addicted to alcohol usually do not take good care of their hygiene, appearance and do not bother to wear wrinkled and dirty clothes.
Stages of alcoholism and their signs
There are several stages of alcoholism in men. There are only three of them that come one after the other. The later treatment is started, the harder it is to succeed - psychological dependence and antisocial lifestyle deny the progress of treatment.
Signs of the first stage
The initial stage of development of alcoholism is characterized by a gradual increase in the amount of alcohol consumed. There are various reasons for this, such a person begins to look for any reason to drink. At the same time, he gets drunk more and more often. Relatives may hear excuses for this behavior:
- I want to take a break.
- Others drank more than me.
- Yes, I drink a lot, but I'm not an alcoholic.
- I'm just tired at work and I want to rest.
If these phrases are accompanied by aggression, it is a clear sign of the development of addiction. Also, this stage is characterized by other signs related to physiology:
- no throat reflex;
- it is required more and more to achieve the same degree of intoxication;
- there are eclipses.
All these manifestations cause deterioration of general health, concentration of attention deteriorates and performance decreases. They appear more often in the transition to the next stage.
At this stage it is already necessary to start treatment for alcoholism in men - the earlier the stage, the greater the likelihood of a successful outcome. In the first stage, drunkenness is completely cured and the body after recovery is restored to its original state, as the organs have not had time to suffer severely and their functions are not severely impaired.
One cannot imagine one's life without alcohol. That's how he spends all his free time. As a result, problems can arise in the workplace, as an employee who often comes with a hangover works worse. As a result, conflicts with colleagues and management begin. There are also many problems in family life.
Signs of the second stage
In the second stage of alcoholism in men, other characteristic signs appear. Here the symptoms of withdrawal or hangover are more pronounced. It consists of nausea, headache. There may be eclipses. Sleep and digestion are often impaired. The thirst for alcohol is already irresistible. The alcoholic in the second stage can no longer give up drinking. It is the main priority around which all life revolves.
Also, this phase of the disease is characterized by mental disorders - alcoholic psychoses. This manifests itself in an unstable emotional state, frequent manifestations of aggression, inappropriate behavior and unwarranted irritability.
Signs of the third stage
This is the last stage of alcoholism. At this stage, it is necessary to urgently hospitalize the patient to save his life. There is a complete degradation of personality and indifferent moral values. The main goal of the alcoholic is to get a new dose of alcohol and because of it he can do anything, including breaking the law. Also held:
- intoxication comes from small doses;
- the hangover is very difficult;
- sleep depends on the amount tested, as well as food intake.
According to medical statistics, the average life expectancy of an alcoholic at this stage does not exceed five years. Due to the constant poisoning of the body, the following symptoms may occur:
- intellectual degradation;
- loss of speech or serious speech disorders;
- high risk of strokes, heart attacks, paralysis, severe liver and kidney dysfunction.
If these symptoms start to appear, you need to understand that the addiction is only growing. The basis for effective and successful treatment is the desire to get rid of the addiction of the patient himself. The situation is complicated by the fact that alcoholics are often drunk and unable to make informed decisions. This significantly complicates the dialogue with such a person.
Beer alcoholism should be noted separately. Now this problem is gaining more and more weight in society. As a rule, many are convinced that beer can not cause alcoholism. Narcologists have differing opinions on this issue - frequent consumption of beer can cause persistent alcoholism. It is manifested in the need to drink this drink constantly and in large quantities. Gradually the amount of drunk increases. In this case, it is also worth beating the alarm and starting the rehabilitation process to get rid of this addiction.
The effects of alcoholism in men
No matter how strong the body, the consequences of alcoholism in men will not be late. They can be conditionally divided into two types - psychological and physiological. The latter can manifest itself in disorders of various body systems:
- Male impotence. Under the influence of alcohol, the hormonal background changes, testosterone production is disrupted.
- Digestive system problems. This can be gastritis, intestinal ulcers, stomach ailments.
- Pressure problems. Alcohol destroys the vascular system.
- Liver pathology. Frequent alcohol consumption leads to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
- Weak immunity. The body loses its protective properties, frequent infectious diseases occur.
- Heart problems. Alcoholics are several times more likely to have a heart attack than non-drinkers.
Alcoholism also affects the human psyche. These disorders can manifest themselves in strange behavior:
- Feeling of persecution. It seems to a man that he is being watched.
- The appearance of hallucinations. Under the influence of alcohol, the brain can create visual, auditory illusions.
- Encephalopathy. It is associated with poor blood circulation and poor nutrition of brain cells.
If such phenomena occur, you should immediately contact a competent psychologist working with alcoholics. It is important to know that you can start treating alcoholism in men at any stage.
Only a man's rehabilitation center will help not only to alleviate physiological dependence, but will also lead to a complete cure with the help of inpatient treatment and will accompany the first steps in life after rehabilitation.
Of course, the sooner qualified help is provided to narcologists, the faster and easier the process of getting rid of this disease will continue. Therefore, if you have the slightest suspicion, contact a specialist immediately.