Alcohol Addiction and its Side Effects

The Physical and Mental Abuse from Alcoholism

Jun 7, 2009 Jennifer Marsh

Alcohol addiction hits millions of people. The disease slowly creates dependence and destruction of a healthy body.

Alcohol addiction is a chronic disease that affects millions of people, making them dependent both physically and mentally. For most drug abusers, the dependency on the drug isn’t noticed until there is a loss of family, friends, jobs, or what most people call “rock bottom” behavior.

There is a difference between alcoholism and alcohol abuse. Even if you’re reliant on alcohol, you may not show any physical characteristics of alcohol addiction. Many alcoholics are functional in society, and they keep jobs and their drinking separate. Alcohol abuse is defined as binge drinking to the point of needing medical attention or causing social problems.

Alcohol addiction is the same as other drug abuse symptoms in that it can be treated. Alcoholics can taper off the drug slowly at their home or through the resources of a drug abuse program. Quitting alcohol is a difficult process to do alone, especially if the drug abuse has continued for years.

Causes of Alcohol Addiction

Physical addiction of alcohol is a gradual process, but it alters functions of organs such as the liver and the brain. Alcohol works on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain, which excites the nervous system, inhibit glutamate, and release dopamine. These two factors give alcohol the pleasurable feeling people experience, but long term use eventually deprives the brain of essential chemicals causing the cravings.

Other causes create alcohol addiction in some patients. Scientists believe genetic factors play a part in alcohol abuse as well as other drug abuse dependencies. Psychological factors also play a role. A person with high stress or depression enjoys the relaxing, pleasurable experience alcohol gives leading to chronic use to escape mental disorders.

Health Effects from Alcohol Addiction

Chronic drug abuse addictions always have health conditions associated with heavy use. Alcohol addiction has many complications that gradually affect the health of the abuser. It also depresses the central nervous system, affecting breathing and even causing fatal comas.

Liver Disorders

Liver disorders are the most commonly known health condition related to alcohol addiction. Heavy use leads to alcoholic hepatitis, which can eventually lead to cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is a condition that leaves the liver scarred from constant healing and destroys its tissue.

Gastrointestinal Problems

Alcohol addiction leads to several problems including inflammation of the stomach and inhibition of vitamin absorption. It also affects your pancreas, leading to the body’s inability to metabolize fats and carbohydrates and causing an imbalance of hormones.

Birth Defects

Drinking alcohol while pregnant causes multiple birth defects in children. Fetal alcohol syndrome causes small heads, heart problems, and eye defects in infants.

Increased Risk of Cancer

Alcohol addiction increases the risk of cancer in several tissues of the body. Some tissue with increased cancer risks are mouth, pharynx (throat), esophagus, larynx, and liver.

Neurological Effects

The altered state of neurotransmitters and nutrients in the brain can lead to abnormal nervous system function. Alcohol addiction leads to numbness in extremities, twitching in the muscles, and even dementia.

If you or your loved one has a dependency on alcohol abuse, consider counseling or reducing the amount of alcohol intake. Alcohol addiction leads to many physical and social complications that can be avoided by reducing intake and using alcohol minimally.

References:

MayoClinic

The copyright of the article Alcohol Addiction and its Side Effects in Abuse is owned by Jennifer Marsh. Permission to republish Alcohol Addiction and its Side Effects in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Alcohol Addiction

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