Alcohol addiction, substance abuse, and alcoholism are chronic brain diseases that cause compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations that is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other destructive behaviors.
Alcohol addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain from alcohol, impairment in behavioral control, craving alcohol, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, the addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Health, finances, relationships and careers are destroyed. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities and addressing nutrient deficiencies, digestive function, lifestyle, diet and much more, addiction is progressive and results in disability, brain damage, health problems, severe nutrient deficiencies, disease and premature death.
Alcohol addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain from alcohol, impairment in behavioral control, craving alcohol, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, the addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Health, finances, relationships and careers are destroyed. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities and addressing nutrient deficiencies, digestive function, lifestyle, diet and much more, addiction is progressive and results in disability, brain damage, health problems, severe nutrient deficiencies, disease and premature death.
Every addiction arises from an unconscious refusal to face and move through your own pain. Every addiction starts and ends with pain. Whatever the substance you’re addicted to—alcohol, food, legal or illegal drugs, or a person—you are using something or somebody to cover up your pain. –Eckhart Tolle
Many people are exposed to alcoholism in their families. My father was an alcoholic, and I also lost a younger sister to suicide as a result of her alcohol addiction. It’s no surprise that my ex-husband was also an alcoholic. Consequently, I had a strong desire to understand and educate myself on addiction and alcoholism, a devastating, destructive and deadly disease that affects not only the alcoholic, but impacts the entire family. I also am the nutritionist for the RiverSource, holistic drug and alcohol treatment centers located in Arizona.
In the U.S. alone, there are 17 to 20 million alcoholics (about one in every ten people). Alcohol-related deaths are the third highest cause of death in the United States (the silent, unknown killer). 7,000 children under the age of 15 try drinking for the first time every day. This is a frightening statistic. The individual who begins drinking before age 15 is four times more likely to become an alcoholic.
Read Full Article Here: Alcohol Addiction: the Best Diet & Nutrition for Alcoholism
