Alcoholism can refer to alcohol dependence, addiction or abuse, which is generally an uncontrolled act of consumption of alcoholic drinks. In the medical field, alcoholism is considered as a disease, especially a neurological disorder. Based on the estimates from World Health Organization (WHO), the total number of alcoholics (people with alcoholism) has reached 140 million worldwide.
Not only affecting physical health, alcoholism also has a great impact on one's mental state. Continuous use of alcohol for long period can alter the structure and chemistry of one's brain, which creates a dependence or addiction towards the substance. This is why alcoholics show withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop drinking alcoholic beverages. Besides damaging the brain, this substance also attacks most of the parts in human body including blood, heart, liver, stomach, pancreas and others. Examples that are more concrete would be in the form of diseases such as pancreatitis, epilepsy, cirrhosis, peptic ulcers and heart disease. Inappropriate consumption of alcohol also increases a person's risk of getting mouth cancer, liver disease and damage to the nervous system. Female alcoholics have greater health risks such as the risk of breast cancer, decreased ovarian mass, irregular menstrual cycle and premature menopause. If the woman is pregnant, the baby is very much at risk.
Besides affecting mental and physical health, drinking problems can also ruin one's social life. At first, you might think that drinking is a shortcut to run away from your problems in daily life. Since this drug in particular amounts decreases your self-awareness, you will tend to do activities beyond your control. It is no secret that many criminal offences in society such as rape, burglary and assault are triggered while the alcoholic is under the influence.
Alcohol withdrawal during detoxification can be very painful and life-threatening if not managed properly. Therefore, several specific medications and treatments are prescribed to lessen the symptoms. Medicine commonly used for the detoxification, among others, includes vitamin supplements, calcium carbimide, disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate, odansetron and benzodiazepines. However, the use of these medications should be under a doctor's supervision as some medications such as benzodiazepines may be dangerous if used for extended periods.
When a person undergoes rehabilitation, he or she will be given not only treatments and medication to detoxify the dependency, but will also receive psychological therapy to deal with the psychological issues that might be the underlying cause of the person of becoming an alcoholic. Without appropriate therapy, it is common that the sobered person will relapse soon after completing his or her rehab. One of the most famous forms of psychological therapy for alcoholics is group therapy. Here, a group of people with similar problems provides mutual counseling and support to help each other with alcohol dependency.
Alcoholism affects the physical, mental as well as social state of a person. If you or one of your friends or family members has this problem, get professional assistance immediately before the condition worsens.
Not only affecting physical health, alcoholism also has a great impact on one's mental state. Continuous use of alcohol for long period can alter the structure and chemistry of one's brain, which creates a dependence or addiction towards the substance. This is why alcoholics show withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop drinking alcoholic beverages. Besides damaging the brain, this substance also attacks most of the parts in human body including blood, heart, liver, stomach, pancreas and others. Examples that are more concrete would be in the form of diseases such as pancreatitis, epilepsy, cirrhosis, peptic ulcers and heart disease. Inappropriate consumption of alcohol also increases a person's risk of getting mouth cancer, liver disease and damage to the nervous system. Female alcoholics have greater health risks such as the risk of breast cancer, decreased ovarian mass, irregular menstrual cycle and premature menopause. If the woman is pregnant, the baby is very much at risk.
Besides affecting mental and physical health, drinking problems can also ruin one's social life. At first, you might think that drinking is a shortcut to run away from your problems in daily life. Since this drug in particular amounts decreases your self-awareness, you will tend to do activities beyond your control. It is no secret that many criminal offences in society such as rape, burglary and assault are triggered while the alcoholic is under the influence.
Alcohol withdrawal during detoxification can be very painful and life-threatening if not managed properly. Therefore, several specific medications and treatments are prescribed to lessen the symptoms. Medicine commonly used for the detoxification, among others, includes vitamin supplements, calcium carbimide, disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate, odansetron and benzodiazepines. However, the use of these medications should be under a doctor's supervision as some medications such as benzodiazepines may be dangerous if used for extended periods.
When a person undergoes rehabilitation, he or she will be given not only treatments and medication to detoxify the dependency, but will also receive psychological therapy to deal with the psychological issues that might be the underlying cause of the person of becoming an alcoholic. Without appropriate therapy, it is common that the sobered person will relapse soon after completing his or her rehab. One of the most famous forms of psychological therapy for alcoholics is group therapy. Here, a group of people with similar problems provides mutual counseling and support to help each other with alcohol dependency.
Alcoholism affects the physical, mental as well as social state of a person. If you or one of your friends or family members has this problem, get professional assistance immediately before the condition worsens.
Consuming alcohol inappropriately may result in alcohol abuse and dependency. Learn more about alcoholism facts from our site.
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