| Alcohol addiction or alcoholism can be | | | | b) Alcohol works towards disturbing the |
| defined as a compulsive requirement for | | | | overall structure & function of the |
| an intoxicating drink that is derived | | | | central nervous system. It hinders the |
| from a fruit or fermented grain. The | | | | ability to consolidate, retrieve & |
| drink may be anything from wine, beer, | | | | process information. c) Consuming |
| whiskey or rum. Intake of alcohol | | | | alcohol in moderate amounts can put |
| becomes addiction when a person craves | | | | great effect on cognitive abilities. d) |
| for consumption of alcohol & is unable | | | | Consumption of alcohol in large amounts |
| to limit the drink. A person can be | | | | interfere the process of oxygen supply |
| termed as alcoholic if he or she | | | | of the brain & causes a blackout under |
| experiences, certain withdrawal symptoms | | | | the stage of fully drunk. e) Addiction |
| like sweating, anxiety, nausea. A person | | | | of alcohol may result in inflammation of |
| can also be called an alcoholic if he | | | | the mouth, stomach & esophagus. It can |
| wants to have greater amounts of alcohol | | | | also result in cancers of stomach, mouth |
| to experience a high. Most people think | | | | & esophagus. f) Drinking alcohol in |
| that having a strong will to stop | | | | large amounts may result in irregular |
| drinking is enough to give up alcohol. | | | | heartbeats. The addict can also |
| However, the process is quite | | | | experience a greater risk of high blood |
| complicating. When a process becomes | | | | pressure, heart damage & heart attack. |
| alcoholic, the craving is so great that | | | | g) Intake of alcohol interferes in |
| it actually suppresses the ability to | | | | vision & disrupts sexual function. It |
| stop consuming. Most alcoholic requires | | | | also reduces circulation, increases the |
| adept assistance to give up alcoholism. | | | | chances for malnutrition & excessive |
| There are several causes that lead to | | | | water retention. h) The addict may also |
| alcoholism. People may be forced to have | | | | a suffer from slurred speech, lack of |
| alcohol due to the environment they live | | | | coordination, impaired attention, |
| in or the traumatic experiences they | | | | impaired judgment, unsteady when walking |
| have in their lives. Alcoholism has a | | | | or standing & lack of sleep. Here are |
| lot of bad effects of the individual. It | | | | some symptoms of alcohol addiction: a) |
| can lead to some serious trouble. It can | | | | The patient develops a sense of |
| also be physically & mentally | | | | compulsion to drink. b) The addict may |
| destructive. Most of the crimes, | | | | choose to drink soon after walking in |
| suicides, accidental deaths & murders | | | | order to reduce alcohol withdrawal |
| are committed under the influence of | | | | feeling. c) An alcohol addict tends to |
| alcohol. Several health problems are | | | | develop a reduced ability to control |
| associated with the use of alcohol such | | | | over drinking. d) The addict usually |
| as cancer, diseases of the liver, brain | | | | organizes his lifestyle around drinking. |
| damage, cancer & heart diseases. An | | | | One cannot overcome alcohol addiction |
| alcoholic who does not give up alcohol | | | | alone. The addict requires good |
| may reduce his life expectancy by 10 to | | | | assistance from others in order to find |
| 15 years. Here are some of the ill | | | | recovery. Most people seek counseling & |
| effects of alcohol on health: a) Excess | | | | visit rehab centers to get rid of |
| intake of alcohol can destroy brain | | | | alcoholism. |
| cells & ultimately lead to brain damage. | | | | |