ALCOHOLISM

Possible Cause

Alcoholism is associated with genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors that in turn governs your mental attitude and body responses.

The process of becoming addicted to alcohol occurs gradually, although some people have an abnormal response to alcohol from the time they start drinking. Over time, drinking too much may change the normal balance of chemicals and nerve tracks in your brain associated with the experience of pleasure, judgment and the ability to exercise control over your behavior. This may result in your craving alcohol to restore good feelings or remove negative ones.

Risk Factors

Risk Factors: - for alcoholism include:

• Steady drinking over time. Drinking too much on a regular basis for an extended period or binge drinking on a regular basis can produce a physical dependence on alcohol.
• Age. People who begin drinking at an early age are at a higher risk of getting addicted.
• Family history. The risk of alcoholism is higher for people who have a parent or a close relative who have a drinking problem.
• Depression and other mental health problems. It's common for people with a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder to get involved with substance abuse or alcoholism.
• Social and cultural factors. Having friends or a close partner who drinks regularly could increase your risk of alcoholism. The way that drinking is portrayed in the media also sends a message that it's OK to drink.
• Mixing medication and alcohol. Some medications interact with alcohol, results into toxic effects.

Complications

Alcohol depresses your central nervous system. In some people, initially they may not feel anything but as they continue to drink, they become sedated. Alcohol lowers your inhibitions and affects your thoughts, emotions and judgment.

Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain. A heavy drinking habit may even be life-threatening or can induce coma. If you have problems with alcohol, you're more likely to also have problems with other substances.

• Motor vehicle accidents and other types of accidents.
• Domestic problems.
• Poor performance at work or school.
• Violent behavior.
• Alcohol is often a cause in other deaths, including drowning, suicides and homicides.
• Drinking makes it more likely teenagers become sexually active and engage in unprotected sex and also become victims of sexual abuse or date rape compared with those who don't drink.
• Alcohol use can lead to accidental injury, assault and property damage.

Health problems caused by excessive drinking can include:

• Liver disease. Heavy drinking can cause alcoholic hepatitis — an inflammation of the liver. After years of heavy drinking, hepatitis may lead to irreversible destruction and scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis).
• Digestive problems. Heavy drinking can result in inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), as well as stomach and esophageal ulcers. It also can interfere with absorption of B vitamins and other nutrients. Heavy drinking can damage your pancreas — which produces hormones that regulate your metabolism and enzymes that help digestion — and lead to inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
• Heart problems. Excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure and increases your risk of an enlarged heart, heart failure or stroke.
• Diabetes complications. Alcohol interferes with the release of glucose from your liver and can increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is dangerous if you have diabetes and are already taking insulin to lower your blood sugar level.
• Sexual function and menstruation. Excessive drinking can cause erectile dysfunction in men. In women, it can interrupt menstruation.
• Eye problems. Over time, heavy drinking can cause involuntary rapid eye movement (nystagmus) as well as weakness and paralysis of your eye muscles due to a deficiency of vitamin B-1 (thiamine).
• Birth defects. Alcohol use during pregnancy may cause fetal alcohol syndrome, resulting in giving birth to a child who has physical and developmental problems that last a lifetime.
• Bone loss. Alcohol may interfere with the production of new bone. This can lead to thinning bones (osteoporosis) and an increased risk of fractures.
• Neurological complications. Excessive drinking can affect your nervous system, causing numbness and pain in your hands and feet, disordered thinking, dementia and short-term memory loss
• Weakened immune system. Excessive alcohol use can make it harder for your body to resist disease, making you more susceptible to illnesses.
• Increased risk of cancer. Long-term excessive alcohol use has been linked to many cancers, including that of the mouth, throat, liver, colon and breast. Even casual drinking can increase the risk of breast cancer.

Care and Treatment

Early intervention can prevent alcoholism in teens. For young people, the likelihood of addiction depends on the influence of parents, peers and other role models; how much they're influenced by advertising of alcohol; how early in life they begin to use alcohol; the psychological need for alcohol; and genetic factors that may increase their risk of addiction.

If you have a teenager, be alert to signs and symptoms that may indicate a problem with alcohol:

• Loss of interest in activities and hobbies and in personal appearance.
• Bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, problems with coordination and memory lapses.
• Difficulties or a change in relationships, such as joining a new group you might not be introduced to.
• Declining grades and having problems at school.
• Frequent mood changes and defensive behavior.

In order to prevent the above, you can start by setting a good example with your own habits. Talk openly with your child, spend quality time together, and become actively involved in your child's life. Let your child know the consequences and have a healthy discussion.

When to Call the Doctor

If you feel that you drink too much or your family is concerned about your drinking, talk to your doctor. See your doctor even if you don't think you have alcoholism, but because it's causing problems in your life. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health provider or seeking help from a support group such as Anonymous Alcoholics.

Denial is common, you may not feel like you have a problem with drinking or that you need help. You might not realize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to it. For that listen to your family, friends or co-workers when they ask you to seek help.