How often do alcoholics drink?

Alcoholism is a progressive illness that may start with drinking only when one is feeling bad or out with the boys or the girls. The point being is that an alcoholic turning to alcohol is like a cancer patient turning to pain killers for intense pain. Alcohol is an Alcoholics medicine.

Turning to Alcohol is a coping mechanism.  The mood altering high gives the illusion of comfort from what ever is going on with them and makes them feel better for what ever reason. The Alcoholic may feel that it loosens them up and enables them to be a part of the crowd at parties or enables them to be able to dance when they otherwise would be too embarrassed to do so. They may believe that it helps to calm them after a particularly tough day.

An alcoholic may only drink once or twice a month in the beginning. They may drink only on certain occasions or seem to be a heavy drinker but still manage life fairly well. Depending on were they are at in the progression of the illness an alcoholic’s life may be a complete mess or not at all. In fact many alcoholic’s drinking is a well kept secret for years.

The fact remains that sooner or later due to the progression of the illness it will rear it’s ugly head. Many sober alcoholics believe that they were born that way and as mentioned earlier it is a progressive illness and unless action is taken on a daily basis to arrest the progression, it only gets worse, never better.

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Treatment for alcoholism is dependent of the severity and can typically a combination of detoxification, therapy, and/or counceling. Ongoing support can increase the success of sobriety.