Many people drink alcoholic beverages from time to time. However, when the use of alcohol becomes more than recreational, such as when a drinker begins to avoid activities that do not involve drinking, it is considered alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse can progress into dependence or addiction if it is not stopped. This is due to the fact that the chemical changes within the brain caused by abusing alcohol help ensure future alcohol consumption. Alcohol also depletes or destroys the chemicals in the brain that regulate emotions, forcing the addict to drink more and more just to feel "normal."

Some common behaviors that signal alcohol dependence are:

• Avoidance of activities that do not include alcohol consumption
• Consuming alcohol at inappropriate times
• Failure to stop drinking, even though the desire to stop is present
• Not being able to remember what happened during certain periods of time (blackouts)
• Needing to drink larger quantities of alcohol due to increases in tolerance
• Withdrawal symptoms if unable to drink
• Denial of a drinking problem

There are many reasons that people start drinking. Some people want to experiment, to feel good, or to fit in. Alcohol abuse can also begin as a means of escape. It may be an escape from unhappy memories, stress, or any number of other factors. The more alcohol that is consumed on a regular basis, the higher tolerance levels become and the more the brain's chemistry changes. Alcohol can compound the effects of drugs if taken simultaneously, which increases the risk of drug overdose.

Some possible consequences of alcoholism are:

• Liver damage and other health problems including cancer, heart disease, and hypoglycemia
• Legal trouble (arrests, accidents, DUIs, etc.)
• Social trouble (family problems, work issues, etc.)
• Death (alcohol poisoning, asphyxiation from vomiting, etc.)

The medical community considers alcoholism a disease. People do not continue abusing alcohol because they have no motivation or because they don't have enough willpower to quit. People continue to drink to satisfy the overpowering cravings that are the result of consistently overindulging in alcohol. This is considered dependence. Like leukemia or Parkinson's, alcohol abuse is a disease and not a character flaw. Information, help and recovery begins with a phone call to 1+(800) 461-0641.

In order to recover from abusing alcohol, it is necessary to seek treatment. Many people try to quit on their own. However, consistent use of alcohol alters brain chemistry to the point where it is extremely hard to go without drinking. Detoxification from alcohol is dangerous and extremely difficult to do alone. It is uncomfortable at best, and in the case of heavy drinkers, can even be life-threatening. The wisest thing to do is to seek treatment, especially if drugs are also involved. Hospital settings tend to be most successful, where the patient and their withdrawal symptoms can be monitored. Some medications can ease the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and help alleviate cravings. Once detoxification is complete, treatment can begin. Different methods are used to treat different individuals. Common treatment methods are counseling, medication, and participation in AA (Alcoholics Anonymous).

Some withdrawal symptoms are:

• Mood swings, irritability, depression, rapid emotional changes, nightmares
• Nausea, sweating, shaking, insomnia, headaches
• Blackouts, fever, convulsions, seizures, hallucinations