Alcoholism is a chronic condition marked by a dependence on alcohol. This dependence can be physiological, psychological, or a combination of the two. Of the estimated 75% of the American population that consumes alcohol, 1 in 10 people can be expected to have a problem with alcohol consumption. Alcoholism currently affects approximately 4 times as many men as women, but the incidence of alcoholism among women is rising, as well as children, teens, and college students. Alcohol affects everyone differently. Some become intoxicated with the first drink; others may be able to consume 4 to 5 drinks before showing any effects. In alcoholics, every drink triggers a craving for another drink. Alcoholics who quit drinking often experience withdrawal symptoms, especially during the first week.
Anxiety, insomnia, hallucinations, convulsions, anxiety, rapid pulse,
heavy perspiration, and fever may occur. After a while, these symptoms
go away and the alcoholic has to learn to not fall back into drinking
and to solve their problems other ways. |
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| The social drinking turns into drinking for: calming down, perk up, one to celebrate,
“drown sorrows”, and other excuses. After a while the alcoholic needs no excuse to
drink and are very dependent upon the alcohol like an
addiction. Alcoholics often become ashamed and angry at their compulsive behavior, and
may have deep feelings of being inferior. This normally causes
even more alcohol abuse, as they use alcohol to numb their pain. They may also begin taking out their
anger and frustrations on people and relatives close to them. Alcoholism is unique to each person. Some people can drink a lot of alcohol for years before becoming dependent, other people may become addicted to alcohol their first drink. There is much debate if alcoholism is caused by genetics or environment. There is evidence to support both, the truth is probably a combination. To the human body, alcohol is a poison. Effects of chronic alcohol consumption include: brain damage, duodenum problems, liver damage, pancreas disorders, and damage to the nervous system. Alcoholism causes metabolic damage to every cell in the body. It depresses the body's immune system. It can take years before the damage of too much drinking become obvious, but if an alcoholic continues to drink, his or her life span may be shortened by 10 years or more. Alcohol is broken down in the liver. Constant drinking of alcohol inhibits the liver’s production of digestive enzymes, affecting the body’s ability to absorb proteins, fats, and vitamins A, D, E, and K, the B vitamins (like thiamine and folic acid). Most essential nutrients are not retained for use by the body; they are quickly removed by the urine. The toxic effect of alcohol on the liver is very serious. First, excessive amounts of fat accumulate in the liver, a result of alcohol’s effect on the body’s ability to digest fats properly. Next, the alcoholic may develop hepatitis, a condition in which liver cells become inflamed and may die. The final, usually fatal, stage of alcoholic liver damage is cirrhosis of the liver, a disease characterized by inflammation, hardening, and scarring of the liver. This prevents the normal passage of blood through the liver, inhibiting the organ’s ability to filter out toxins and foreign substances. The liver is one of the most robust organs of the body. It is the only organ that has the ability to regenerate itself after certain types of damage. Up to 25% of the liver can be removed, and in a short period of time, it will grow back to its original shape and size. Alcohol is one of the toxins that the liver doesn’t handle as well as others. The liver cannot regenerate after being severely damaged by alcohol. There are many other health consequences of alcoholism as well. Alcoholics often receive damage to their nervous systems. This damage may show up initially as a loss of sensation in the hands or feet, and difficulty in walking. Chronic drinking also causes inflammation of the pancreas. This further affects the body’s ability to digest fats and other nutrients, and can lead to diabetes. Alcoholics face an increased risk of mouth and throat cancer due to the direct toxicity of the alcohol. They may also experience high blood pressure, reduced testosterone levels, and congestive heart failure. The social problems of alcoholism are very destructive as well. Alcohol abuse affects society by car and other accidents, poor job performance, and emotional damage to both friends and families. Drinking during pregnancy is particularly dangerous. The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects and increases the chance of miscarriage. Alcohol passes through the mother’s placenta and into the fetal circulation. This toxic substance depresses the central nervous system of the fetus. Further, the fetal liver must try to metabolize the alcohol, but since the fetus’s liver is not fully developed, the alcohol remains in the fetal circulation. Women who drink during pregnancy generally give birth to babies with lower birth weights. Their growth may be retarded or stunted; their brains may be smaller than normal, and there may be mental retardation as well. Limbs, joints, fingers, and facial features may be deformed. Heart and kidney defects may also occur. Some children exposed to alcohol in utero become hyperactive at adolescence and exhibit learning disabilities. Every drink a pregnant woman consumes increases her child’s risk of being born with fetal alcohol syndrome, and also increases her chances of miscarriage. Even moderate amounts of alcohol may be harmful, especially in the first 3 - 4 months of pregnancy. |
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