The consumption of alcoholic beverages is for many a relaxing and enjoyable pastime. There are many social gatherings where drinks are served and everyone has fun socializing and sharing the time together. Sometimes there are those with a predisposition to alcohol abuse and these people gradually develop a dependence on the substance. Those who are victims of alcohol abuse cannot control the urge to drink. They also cannot fathom attending a social function where alcohol is not served. At least if they do, they don't stay long. These are in the prison of alcohol abuse and have a difficult time controlling it without abstinence, family support, and therapy. Eventually, the social gatherings will not be as fun as they used to be as the person under the control of alcohol abuse has to drink more to achieve the same results. For these people, the quality of life quickly begins to go downhill. Let's see what happens to the victim of alcohol abuse as his or her quality of life degrades.
The victim of alcohol abuse will have disturbed sleep patterns. Not getting proper sleep degrades many areas in a person's life. Lack of sleep causes improper firing of neurotransmitters in the brain and the results can be depression, confusion, and cognitive difficulties. Even after abstinence for several months, the alcoholic can still suffer from disturbed sleep patterns. The danger in this case is that patients sometimes revert back to alcohol abuse because they think it helps them sleep. It is true that alcohol has sedative effects but the sleep pattern is of poor quality.
Alcohol abuse leads to either difficulty on the job or job loss. However it is true that many with this condition can hide it and appear to be very successful. First of all, alcohol abuse can put a tremendous financial strain on a person. Increased resistance and the need to drink take their financial tolls. Alcoholics often incur debts because of their spontaneity in financial decisions. A person with financial difficulties will suffer decreased job performance because of the stress. Those who suffer from alcohol abuse will find over time that their absences will increase, spouses will make excuses for them, and eventually they will embarrass themselves at an office social gathering. Loss of job equals loss of lifestyle, identity, and means to support oneself or one's family--a definite decrease in a person's quality of life.
A person's mental health is seriously affected because of alcohol abuse. The victim of alcohol abuse will see any external attempt by someone to change his or her behavior as a threat. Scientists believe that the mesolimbic dopamine system is the structure in the brain associated with "rewarding" drug and alcohol abuse. To put it simply, people get a charge out of this hormone/neurotransmitter that is released when a reward is received. Dopamine affects a person's ability to experience pleasure, motivation, and emotional responses. The alcoholic develops a strong dependency on the dopamine response and any attempt to remove it will oftentimes be met with aggression, anxiety, and panic. The victim of alcohol abuse sees an end to his or her ability to interact socially or cope with life if alcohol is removed such as through a treatment program.
There are many websites that offer information about this issue but few offer actual support. If you are a victim of alcoholism or any of its related pains you will greatly benefit at http://www.yourchristianspace.com - where FREE and professional counseling, prayers and healing are on offer to help you on your way to recovery.
Please visit us in the name of The Lord - we are here for you and you need not be alone.
Living with an alcoholic is a very fragile existence, the relationship always undermined by a breach of trust or a potential breach of trust. Find out at http://www.livingwithanalcoholic.org on how to deal with it.
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