ALCOHOLISM A TREATABLE DISEASE

Transcription

1 ALCOHOLISM A TREATABLE DISEASE T T Ranganathan Clinical Research Foundation TTK Hospital IV Main Road Indira Nagar Chennai India Phone: / / ttrcrf@gmail.com, ttkhospital@gmail.com

2 Alcohol some facts All alcoholic beverages (whisky / brandy / arrack / gin / beer / toddy, etc. ) contain the same mood changing drug ethyl alcohol. Only the percentage varies. Alcohol contains no nutrients. It cannot help build one s physique or improve the health condition. Soon after drinking, alcohol quickly reaches the brain and slows down its activity. Alcohol is not a stimulant it only interferes with the way the brain works. Drinking does not help in handling negative feelings, like anxiety, worry or frustration. It only magnifies the intensity of these feelings. Alcohol interferes with the normal sleep pattern. The sedation induced by alcohol prevents one from enjoying deep restful sleep. Alcohol does not make one more intelligent, witty or sophisticated or add to one s personality in any way. It only gets one drunk. ALCOHOL THE DAMAGE IT CAN CAUSE Brain - Interferes with co-ordination and clear thinking Pic - Triggers off psychiatric problems ranging from depression to hallucinations and delusions - Permanent damage to brain cells Stomach - Interferes with digestion Pic - Irritates the lining, causing gastritis and ulcer - Increases the incidence of cancer Liver - It takes an hour to break down one drink of alcohol Pic - Excessive drinking is a strain on the liver and can cause o Enlargement due to fat deposits fatty liver o Inflammation of the cells - hepatitis o Permanent damage cirrhosis Heart - Rhythm and functioning are affected Pic - Heart muscles become weak reducing the pumping efficiency

3 Other problems Neuritis Pancreatitis - damage to the nerve endings causing tingling, numbness or tremors - Inflammation and damage of the pancreas Skin problems, sexual problems, malnutrition and degeneration of muscles are also caused by excessive use of alcohol. ALCOHOLISM A DISEASE Around 20% of all people who drink, develop alcoholism. Anybody can become an alcoholic. Age, education, intelligence nothing matters. An alcoholic is one who continues to drink in spite of repeated problems in one or more areas of his life. Alcoholism is a progressive disease and the situation goes from bad to worse if he continues to drink. Once alcoholism sets in, it is not possible to drink in a controlled manner. No matter how hard he tries, he is unable to reduce the quantity and frequency of drinking. He needs to give up drinking totally and live that way for the rest of his life. Whenever he tries to drink a little, he will revert back to excessive drinking. Total abstinence is the only solution. Advising, threatening, finding a job, changing the residence, paying back his debts or settling his other problems do not really help. He needs to give up alcohol totally as the first step towards resolving his problems. With treatment, the alcoholic will be able to stop drinking and lead a normal life just like anybody else.

4 SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOLISM As with any other disease, alcoholism progresses through three stages with specific symptoms in each stage. Early stage Middle Stage - Drinks more and more of alcohol as the body needs an increased quantity to experience the same pleasurable feelings experienced earlier. - Unable to recollect incidents that happened after drinking. (blackout) - Constantly thinks about how, when and where he could drink. - Unable to exercise control over the quantity, time or situation of drinking - Gives reasons to justify his drinking - May give up drinking due to pressure or problems for a short period of time but goes back to obsessive drinking. - Irritability and aggression. Chronic Stage - Drinks continuously for a few days, gives it up for a while, starts drinking again this cycle may go on (Binge drinking). - Deterioration can be seen in many areas. - Withdrawal symptoms like tremors become prominent and he is unable to carry on without drinking. - Indefinable fear, suspicion about others, hallucinations. ADDICTION TO ALCOHOL IS A TREATABLE DISEASE HELP IS AVAILABLE

5 TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION T T Ranganathan Clinical Research Foundation, otherwise known as the TTK Hospital is a non-profit, voluntary organization actively involved in prevention and treatment of addiction. TTK Hospital runs a 70 bed treatment centre for addiction. A one month residential treatment programme is offered by a team of doctors, psychologists, social workers as well as those who have recovered from addiction. Treatment helps clients Treatment includes - Give up the use of alcohol / drugs totally and Establish a qualitative life style by making meaningful changes - Medical help to handle withdrawal symptoms and other health problems caused or made worse due to addiction. This takes about 3 7 days. - Psychological therapy to help the client understand the nature of the disease of addiction, the recovery process and life style changes that need to be made. The three week programme includes educative sessions, counseling sessions, group therapy and introduction to self-help groups. - Family therapy programmme is conducted for two weeks to help family members understand addiction, recognize its impact on the family and make efforts towards recovery. - Follow-up support is provided to sustain abstinence and improve life style further. This includes medical assistance and counselling sessions for a period of two years. TTK Hospital also runs an After Care Centre which offers an intensive, long-term treatment programme of two months duration. We have a relapse ward wherein clients who have had relapses are admitted for a special programme relapse management programme. This includes detoxification and psychological therapy for five days. A separate programme of five day duration is also conducted for the family members of relapsed patients. Besides offering these services for over twenty seven years, TTK Hospital is actively involved in conducting awareness and prevention programmes, training programmes for a variety of professionals and bringing out publications related to addiction.