According to statistics, men are twice as likely to experience alcohol dependence. Our society considers regular consumption of alcohol to be absolutely normal, despite the fact that the consequences of alcoholism in men are very sad for him and his family.
This opinion is, of course, disastrous and should be reconsidered. Alcoholism is a serious disease that destroys a person's psyche and general health. It requires a comprehensive medical approach. As practice shows, even beer leads to stable alcoholism. This disease begins with it, and later the person switches to strong alcohol.
External signs of alcoholism
Addiction is formed and developed gradually, step by step. The presence of alcoholism and its development can be recognized by a number of characteristic signs of alcoholism in men. Psychologists and narcologists have developed the main symptoms by which initial alcoholism can be recognized:
- an irresistible craving for alcohol, a person seeks the strangest reasons to justify his desire to drink;
- aggression towards family members, friends, colleagues at work;
- lethargy and fatigue;
- speech disorders;
- musculoskeletal disorders;
- familiarity with strangers;
- apathy, mood swings;
- deterioration of general well-being.
These are the first signs of alcoholism, which can last up to 10 years. At this stage, it is easy to miss them, as is often the case. The woman just doesn't pay attention to them. He thinks that a man relieves stress after work, tries to escape from problems with a can of beer or a glass of brandy. Meanwhile, the disease does not stop 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 a woman and a man. The male sex is less adaptable to changing external conditions and resorts to alcohol as a way to distract from the problems and worries that beset him. In addition, men are more likely to resist persuasion to undergo rehabilitation, believing they are capable of coping on their own.
But this is not the case - apart from physical addiction, alcoholism brings profound personality changes from the first months of abuse. The external environment is often made up of the same alcoholics over time, which also makes healing impossible.
Every other family in our country will face the problem of alcoholism in the future or has already faced it. It affects all family members without exception, especially children. In general, the reasons for the appearance of this addiction can be divided into three types:
- social;
- psychological;
- physiological.
They can occur individually or in combination. Social reasons include the presence of friends drinking in the area. 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 a complex;
- low self-esteem.
There are a number of other factors that can lead to alcoholism in men. Here are just the most common ones.
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 will probably be relevant for future descendants. One thinks that one will not become addicted and can easily give up alcohol at any time. A similar phenomenon is characteristic of alcoholics in all phases of alcoholism.
You can recognize an alcoholic by his eyes and eyes. Ethanol negatively affects the eyes, they become "glassy" and tired. Over time, bags under the eyes and puffiness appear. Such a person looks tired. This indirectly indicates the presence of diseases of internal organs.
From a person who drinks constantly, often comes the smell of alcohol "smoke", which is difficult to confuse with any other. People who are stuck in alcoholism usually do not take care of their hygiene, appearance and do not hesitate to wear crumpled and dirty clothes.
Stages of alcoholism and their signs
There are several stages of alcoholism in men. There are only three of them, coming one after the other. The later you start treatment, the harder it is to succeed - psychological dependence and antisocial lifestyle deny the progress of treatment.
Signs of the first phase
The initial phase of the development of alcoholism is characterized by a gradual increase in the amount of alcohol consumed. There are various reasons for that, such a person starts looking for any reason to drink. At the same time, each time, getting drunk more often. Relatives can hear excuses for this behavior:
- I want to relax.
- 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 phase is characterized by other signs related to physiology:
- no gag reflex;
- it takes more and more to achieve the same degree of intoxication;
- there are blackouts.
All these manifestations lead to deterioration of general health, deterioration of concentration of attention and reduction of efficiency. They appear more often during the transition to the next phase.
At this stage, it is already necessary to start the treatment of alcoholism in men - the earlier the stage, the higher the probability of a successful outcome. In the first phase, drunkenness is completely cured and the body returns to its original state after recovery, because the organs did not have time to suffer great suffering and their functions were not severely impaired.
A person cannot imagine his life without alcohol. This is how he spends all his free time. This can cause problems at work, as an employee who often comes in with a hangover works upstairs. As a result, conflicts with colleagues and management begin. There are many problems in family life as well.
Signs of the second phase
In the second phase of alcoholism in men, other characteristic signs appear. Withdrawal symptoms or hangovers are more pronounced here. It consists of nausea, headache. Eclipse may occur. Sleep and digestion are often disturbed. The craving for alcohol is already irresistible. In the second phase, the alcoholic is no longer able to give up drinking. She is the main priority around which her whole life revolves.
Also, this phase of the disease is characterized by mental disorders - alcoholic psychosis. This is expressed in an unstable emotional state, frequent manifestations of aggression, inappropriate behavior and unjustified irritability.
Signs of the third phase
This is the last stage of alcoholism. At this stage, it is necessary to urgently hospitalize the patient in order to save his life. Complete degradation of personality occurs, and moral values become indifferent. The main goal of an alcoholic is to get a new portion of alcohol and because of that he can do everything, including breaking the law. It also happens:
- intoxication comes from small doses;
- the hangover is very severe;
- sleep depends on the amount drunk, as well as food intake.
According to medical statistics, the average life expectancy of alcoholics at this stage does not exceed five years. Due to constant poisoning of the body, the following symptoms may occur:
- intellectual degradation;
- loss of speech or severe speech disorders;
- high risk of stroke, heart attack, 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 patient's own addiction. The situation is complicated by the fact that alcoholics are often drunk and unable to make informed decisions. This makes dialogue with such a person very difficult.
Beer alcoholism should be especially emphasized. Now this problem is gaining more and more weight in society. As a rule, many are convinced that beer cannot cause alcoholism. Narcologists have a different opinion about that - 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 alcohol consumed increases. In this case, it is also worth sounding the alarm and starting the rehabilitation process to get rid of this addiction.
Consequences of alcoholism in men
No matter how strong the organism is, the consequences of alcoholism in men will not last long. They can be conditionally divided into two types - psychological and physiological. The latter can manifest itself in disorders of various bodily systems:
- Male impotence. Under the influence of alcohol, the hormonal background changes, testosterone production is disrupted.
- Problems with the digestive system. It can be gastritis, intestinal ulcers, stomach diseases.
- 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. The probability of a heart attack in alcoholics is several times higher than in those who do not drink.
Alcoholism also affects the human psyche. These violations can manifest themselves in strange behavior:
- A sense of persecution. It seems to the man that they are watching him.
- Occurrence of hallucinations. Under the influence of alcohol, the brain can create visual, auditory illusions.
- Encephalopathy. It is associated with poor circulation and poor nutrition of brain cells.
If such symptoms occur, contact a competent psychologist who works with alcoholics immediately. It is important to know that you can start treating alcoholism in men at any stage.
Only in the rehabilitation center, a person will be helped not only to eliminate physiological dependence, but with the help of inpatient treatment he will be brought to a complete cure, and will follow the first steps in life after rehabilitation.
Of course, the sooner qualified help from a narcologist is provided, the faster and easier the process of resolving this disease will take place. Therefore, if you have the slightest doubt, consult an expert immediately.