According to statistics, men are twice as likely to experience alcohol dependence. Our society considers the regular consumption of alcoholic beverages 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. This requires a holistic medical approach. As practice shows, even beer leads to stable alcoholism. With it begins this disease, and later a person turns to strong alcohol.
External signs of alcoholism
Addiction is formed and develops 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, colleagues;
- lethargy and fatigue;
- speech disorders;
- musculoskeletal disorders;
- knowledge of relationships with strangers;
- apathy, mood swings;
- deterioration of general health.
These are the first signs of nascent alcoholism, which can last up to 10 years. At this point, it's easy to miss them, as they often do. The woman just doesn't pay attention to them. He thinks that a person relieves stress after work, tries to escape problems with a can of beer or a glass of brandy. Meanwhile, the disease does not stand still and continues to progress.
Causes of male alcoholism
The problem of male alcoholism is dictated by the difference between the psychology of women and men. The male sex adapts less to changing external conditions and resorts to alcohol as a way to distract from the problems and worries that fall on him. In addition, men often resist the persuasion to undergo rehabilitation, they believe 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 over time consists of the same alcoholics, which also prevents healing.
Every second family in our country will face the problem of alcoholism in the future, or has already faced it. This affects all family members without exception, especially children. In general, the reasons for the appearance of this dependence can be divided into three types:
- social;
- psychologically;
- 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 in the workplace, the level of well-being.
The 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 thinks that one will not become addicted and can easily give up alcohol at any time. A similar phenomenon is characteristic of alcoholics at all stages of alcoholism.
You can recognize an 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 drinks constantly, often comes the smell of "smoke" of alcohol, which is difficult to confuse with any other. People who are stuck in alcoholism usually do not take good care of hygiene, their appearance and do not hesitate 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 begins, the more difficult it is to succeed - psychological dependence and antisocial lifestyle deny the progress of treatment.
Signs of the first stage
The initial stage of the development of alcoholism is characterized by a gradual increase in the amount of alcohol tested. There are various reasons for this, such a person begins to look for any reason to drink. At the same time, each time getting drunk 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 blunder reflex;
- increasingly required to achieve the same degree of intoxication;
- there are eclipses.
All these manifestations cause deterioration of general health, concentration deteriorates and efficiency decreases. They appear more often during 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, recovers to its original state, as the organs have not had time to suffer much 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 the 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. Withdrawal symptoms or hangovers are more pronounced here. It consists of nausea, headache. There may be eclipses. Sleep and digestion are often disturbed. The craving for alcohol is already irresistible. The alcoholic in the second stage is no longer able to 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. Complete degradation of personality and moral values become indifferent. The main goal of the alcoholic is to get a new portion of alcohol and because of it he can do anything, including breaking the law. It is also held:
- intoxication comes from small doses;
- the hangover is very difficult;
- sleep depends on the amount consumed 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 patient's addiction. 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 manifests itself in the need to constantly drink this drink, and in large quantities. Gradually the amount of exam increases. In this case, it is also worth beating the anxiety and start the rehabilitation process to get rid of this addiction.
The effects of alcoholism in men
No matter how strong the body, the effects 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 diseases.
- Pressure problems. Alcohol destroys the vascular system.
- Liver pathology. Frequent alcohol consumption leads to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
- Poor 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 non-drinkers.
Alcoholism also affects the human psyche. These disorders can manifest themselves in strange behavior:
- Feeling of persecution. It seems to a person that they are watching him.
- The appearance 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 phenomena occur, you should immediately contact a competent psychologist working with alcoholics. It is important to know that you can start treatment for alcoholism in men at any stage.
Recovery steps
- Step 1. Contact a specialized clinic
- Step 2. Persuade the addict for treatment
- Step 3. Detoxification (cleansing the body of toxins)
- Step 4. Complete rehabilitation in an inpatient center
Only a rehabilitation center for a man will help not only to alleviate the 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 be. Therefore, if you have the slightest doubt, contact a specialist immediately.