According to statistics, men are twice as likely to experience alcohol dependence. Our society considers it absolutely normal to regularly consume alcoholic beverages, despite the fact that the consequences of alcoholism in men are very deplorable for both him and his family.
This opinion is, of course, disastrous and should be reconsidered. Alcoholism is a serious illness that destroys the psyche and general health of a person. It requires a comprehensive medical approach. As practice shows, even beer leads to stable alcoholism. It is with him that this disease begins, and later a person switches to strong alcohol.
External signs of alcoholism
Addiction forms 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 one can recognize incipient alcoholism:
- an irresistible craving for alcohol, a person is looking for the strangest reasons to justify his desire to drink;
- aggression towards family members, friends, work colleagues;
- lethargy and fatigue;
- speech disorders;
- disorders of the musculoskeletal system;
- familiarity in dealing with strangers;
- apathy, mood swings;
- deterioration in general health.
These are the first signs of incipient alcoholism, which can last up to 10 years. It is easy to miss them at this stage, as they often do. The woman just doesn't pay attention to them. 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 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 well 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 more often resist persuasion to undergo rehabilitation, they believe that they are able to cope on their own.
But this is not so - in addition to physical dependence, alcoholism brings profound personality changes from the very 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 have 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;
- 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 highlight the presence of stress at work, the level of well-being.
Psychological factors are:
- imbalance of the psyche;
- 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 a man. Here are only 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 were cases of alcoholism in previous generations, it is likely that they will be relevant for subsequent descendants. A person thinks that he will not get addicted, and he 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 gaze. 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 the internal organs.
From a person who constantly drinks, often comes the smell of alcohol "fume", which is difficult to confuse with any other. People who are stuck in alcoholism usually do not take good care of their hygiene, appearance, 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, which come one after another. The later treatment is started, the more difficult it is to succeed - psychological dependence and an asocial lifestyle negate the progress of treatment.
Signs of the first stage
At the initial stage of the development of alcoholism, a gradual increase in the amount of alcohol drunk is characteristic. There are a variety of reasons for this, such a person begins to look for any reason to drink. At the same time, every time, getting drunk more and more often. Relatives may 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, this is a clear sign of developing addiction. Also, this stage is characterized by other signs associated with physiology:
- no gag reflex;
- more and more is required to achieve the same degree of intoxication;
- there are blackouts.
All these manifestations cause a deterioration in general health, concentration of attention worsens, and efficiency decreases. They appear more often during the transition to the next stage.
At this stage, it is already necessary to begin treatment of alcoholism in a man - the earlier the stage, the greater the likelihood of a successful outcome. At the first stage, drunkenness is completely cured and the body, after recovery, is restored to its original state, since the organs did not have time to suffer greatly and their functions are not greatly impaired.
A person cannot imagine his life without alcohol. This is how he spends all his free time. Because of this, problems can appear at work, as the employee who often comes with a hangover works worse. As a result, conflicts begin with colleagues and management. 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, headaches. There may be blackouts. 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. She is the main priority around which all 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 irascibility.
Signs of the third stage
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 the personality sets in and moral values become indifferent. The main goal of an alcoholic is to get a new portion of alcohol and for the sake of it he can do anything, including breaking the law. It also takes place:
- intoxication comes from small doses;
- the hangover is very difficult;
- sleep depends on the amount drunk, as does food intake.
According to medical statistics, the average lifespan of an alcoholic at this stage does not exceed five years. Due to the constant poisoning of the body, the following symptoms may appear:
- intellectual degradation;
- loss of speech or serious disturbances in it;
- high risk of strokes, heart attacks, paralysis, severe liver and kidney dysfunction.
If these symptoms begin to appear, you need to understand that 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 greatly 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 cannot cause alcoholism. Narcologists have a different opinion on this matter - frequent consumption of beer can cause persistent alcoholism. He manifests himself in the need to constantly drink this drink, and in large quantities. Gradually, the amount drunk increases. In this case, it is also worth sounding the alarm and starting the rehabilitation process to get rid of this addiction.
The consequences of alcoholism in men
No matter how strong the body is, the consequences of alcoholism in a man will not be long in coming. They can be conditionally divided into two types - psychological and physiological. The latter can manifest itself in disorders of the functioning of various body systems:
- Male impotence. Under the influence of alcohol, the hormonal background changes, the production of testosterone is disrupted.
- Digestive system problems. 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.
- Poor immunity. The body loses its protective properties, frequent infectious diseases occur.
- Heart problems. The likelihood of heart attacks in alcoholics is several times higher than in non-drinkers.
Alcoholism also affects the human psyche. These violations can manifest in strange behavior:
- Feeling of persecution. It seems to a person 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 circulation and poor nutrition of brain cells.
If such phenomena appear, you should immediately contact a competent psychologist working with alcoholics. It is important to know that you can start treating alcoholism in a man at any stage.
Steps to recovery
- Step 1. Contacting a specialized clinic
- Step 2. Persuading the addict for treatment
- Step 3. Detoxification (cleansing the body of toxins)
- Step 4. Comprehensive rehabilitation in an inpatient center
Only in a rehabilitation center, a man will be helped not only to relieve physiological dependence, but will also be brought to a complete cure with the help of inpatient treatment, and will accompany the first steps in life after rehabilitation.
Of course, the sooner the qualified assistance of narcologists is provided, the faster and easier the process of getting rid of this disease will proceed. Therefore, if you have the slightest suspicion, immediately contact a specialist.