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		ADDICTION IS A WIDE SUBJECT:  WE HAVE A WEBSITE DEVOTED TO IT.   CLICK HERE to visit our addictions site.  Addictions  Pill Addiction  Smoking  Sugar Addiction Alcoholism as a Disease, Not a Weakness   Alcoholism is a disease in which drinkers can no longer to control their drinking, leading to mental and physical harm and socially unacceptable behaviour. Alcoholism is a chronic, pathological illness which affects the nervous and digestive systems,  and is caused by the inability to stop drinking alcoholic beverages, despite many adverse consequences such as loss of family, job, and health. The disease can be fatal, due largely to the effect of excess alcohol on the liver, but also to the lack of control over thought and reasoning. The most disturbing and debilitating aspects of alcoholism, however, are the loss of self-respect and the devastating effects it has on the individuals and their families.  Job loss is common, and complete financial degeneration occurs frequently.  many alcoholics steal from their family and sell not only personal items but also items of furniture to get enough money for the next drink. Crime is not unusual. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence defines alcoholism as characterized by "lack of control over drinking and distortions in thinking, most notably denial."  Most alcoholics are unable to make the choice to stop drinking with active intervention by others to help them.    Symptoms include: Stealing drinks lying on tables in bars Telling lies about the amount of alcohol they have drank Becoming extremely irritable when alcohol is not available to them Loss of appetite and a preference to drink rather than eat (this is due to the fact that alcohol is more rapidly and efficiently assimilated into the bloodstream in the absence of food) A puffiness and redness in the face Constant smell of drink on the breath Frequently the workplace early Frequent lateness in the morning A lack on money and high credit card bills. The majority of alcoholics are in denial that they are alcoholic, and while family members should make an attempt to talk to the sufferer, it can be difficult due to this denial.  The best time to choose, obviously, is when the person is sober. However, if this is found to be difficult, another good time could be after an incident caused through the alcohol, such after a drunken driving ticket, a family argument (perhaps) or even after a loss of job. It is not recommended that you wait until such an event, however, since it could have disastrous consequences. There are support groups, such as Al-Anon, for family members and there are groups specifically for children and teenagers. The best pace to find local groups is in local telephone directories. Many claim that alcoholism is an indulgence, not an illness, but they are wrong.  Alcoholism is neither a moral problem nor due to weak will.  It is a psychological and physiological illness, and there seem to be genetic connections to alcoholism. While there is no known cure for the condition, it is treatable. Were it not considered a disease, insurance companies would not pay for its treatment.