ALCOHOLISM
Alcoholism is characterized by a preoccupation with alcohol and impaired control over alcohol intake. Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease. Left untreated, alcoholism can be fatal.
You may continue to abuse alcohol despite serious adverse health, personal, work-related and financial consequences. Alcoholism usually involves physical dependence on alcohol, but genetic, psychological and social factors contribute to the addiction as well.
It's possible to have a problem with alcohol, but not display all the characteristics of alcoholism. This is known as "alcohol abuse," which means you engage in excessive drinking that causes health or social problems, but you aren't dependent on alcohol and haven't fully lost control over the use of alcohol.
According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, almost 18 million Americans abuse alcohol. Each year more than 100,000 Americans die of alcohol-related causes. Alcohol is a factor in nearly half of all U.S. traffic deaths.
Alcoholism and alcohol abuse cause major social, economic and public health problems. Various treatments are available, and self-help groups can provide ongoing support for people recovering from alcoholism. (Source: Mayo Clinic, Tools for healthier lives, 2007)
Alcoholism – complications:
Alcohol is a drug that depresses your central nervous system although in many people it produces an initial lift or “high”. Alcohol inhibits your judgment, impairs your speech and muscle coordination. Too much alcohol can also severely depress the vital centers of your brain and a heavy drinking binge may cause a life-threatening coma. Other severe health effects may include:
- Liver disorders: Drinking heavily can cause alcoholic hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver and cirrhosis, an irreversible and progressive destruction and scarring of liver tissue.
- Gastrointestinal problems: Excess Alcohol intake can result in inflammation of the lining of the stomach (gastritis) and interfere with absorption of the B vitamins (particularly folic acid and thiamin) and other nutrients. Heavy drinking can also damage your pancreas, the gland that produces Insulin (regulates blood sugar) and the enzymes that help digest the fats, proteins and carbohydrates in your meals.
- Heart and Blood Vessels: Excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure and damage your heart muscle (cardiomyopathy). These conditions can increase your risk of heart failure or stroke.
- Diabetes complications. In addition to damaging your pancreas, Alcohol prevents the release of glucose from your liver and can increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is dangerous if you have diabetes and are already taking insulin to lower your blood sugar level.
- Sexual function and menstruation. Alcohol abuse can cause sexual dysfunction in men and can also interrupt menstruation in women.
- Birth defects. Alcohol use during pregnancy may cause fetal alcohol syndrome. This condition results in birth defects as well as developmental disabilities in later life.
- Bone loss. Alcohol may interfere with the production of new bone. This can lead to thinning bones and an increased risk of fractures.
- Neurological complications. Excessive drinking can affect your nervous system, causing numbness of your hands and feet, disordered thinking and dementia.
- Increased risk of cancer. Chronic alcohol abuse has been linked to a higher risk of cancer of the esophagus, larynx, liver and colon.
Other complications of alcoholism and alcohol abuse may include:
- Domestic abuse and divorce
- Poor performance at work or school
- Increased likelihood of motor vehicle fatalities and arrest for drunken driving
- Greater susceptibility to accidental injuries from other causes
- Higher incidence of suicide and murder
