The Consequences of Alcoholism

Alcoholism is the preoccupation or compulsion towards consuming alcohol and an impaired ability to drinking despite the knowledge that alcohol has caused serious health problems and that the individual will continue to drink alcohol because he/she is unable to ignore the cravings for alcohol even in the face of withdrawal symptoms should alcohol not be readily available, the desire to drink will still persist. Alcoholism being a disease has symptoms, causes and consequences.

The consequences of being an alcoholic are many and involve physical, emotional and mental effects of drinking. Alcohol is a drug as as such there are documented effects of alcohol. Those who have been diagnosed with alcoholism and those who have been misdiagnosed or those who have yet to be diagnosed with alcoholism but who suffer just the same feel the consequences of alcoholism. A recent study concluded that medical doctors miss the correct diagnosis of alcoholism 94% of the time. It would seem that education is in order for the medical community as well as for consumers regarding alcoholism. Alcohol is a universal cellular toxin and the toxic effects of alcohol are frequently still being felt years after the drink has been downed.

Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant and the individual’s behavior may change drastically from what is normal behavior. Effects of alcoholism touches the entire body including the central nervous system (CNS), psychiatric issues, lymph and immunological, skin, eyes, cardiac, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, liver, urinary, pancreas, sexual dysfunction, endocrine, pancreas, muscle issues, reproductive problems, bone, peripheral nervous system, and joint problems.

Alcoholism can have the following adverse effects:

• Aggressiveness
• Anxiety
• Cognitive disabilities
• Depression
• Delusions
• Euphoria
• Hallucinations
• Irritability
• Memory disturbances
• Panic
• Restlessness

CNS effects that include headaches, atrophy of the cerebrum, ataxia, seizures, subdural hematoma, blurred vision, loss of vision, and color vision abnormalities. Other physical effects include, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, edema, hypertension, risk of stroke when heavy drinking incurs, pneumonia, asthma and other acute respiratory distress, gastritis, ulcers, diarrhea, constipation, liver problems, pancreatitis, electrolyte imbalances, urinary tract infections, sexual dysfunction, myalgias, cramping, joint inflammation, gout, bone ischemia, necrosis iron deficiency anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, dermatitis, flushing, urticaria, bruising, sweating, altered glucose tolerance, unstable diabetes, menstrual cycle irregularities, immune system impairment, neoplasms, upper digestive or respiratory tract irregularities, liver disease, and increased risk of breast and colon cancers.

Alcoholism can also effect the way medication works by altering the effect medications have certain drugs like those prescribed for gastric emptying can be adversely affected. Those who binge drink can lead to toxicity on the cellular level. Alcohol can also have an adverse effect on drugs such as benzodiazepines and older antihistamines and other serious adverse drug events, even serious ones.

Alcohol can create a dependency that increases adverse effects. Severe withdrawal from alcohol can result in death. In an effort to prevent withdrawal symptoms the person suffering from alcoholism may drink small amounts of alcohol in the morning to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Related Articles

• Alcoholism is a Disease - Like other diseases, alcoholism has signs, symptoms, causes and effects. The hallmarks of alcoholism ....
• Getting Professional Help For Alcoholism - If you or someone you know is suffering from signs or symptoms of alcoholism it is important to take ....
• How Could Knowing The Signs of Alcoholism Save Your Life? - The question is pretty simple, "how could knowing the signs of alcoholism save your life?" ....
• Causes and Effects of Alcoholism - Alcoholism is a disease in which an individual has the inability to control the strong craving for a ....
• Alcoholism Facts That Are Beneficial For Everyone To Know - Alcoholism touches not only the one with the disease, but those they live with, and those they work ....