Alcoholism

Alcoholism

Alcohol dependence or Alcoholism is "a primary, chronic disease with genetic, environmental and psychosocial factors influencing its manifestations and development."

 Types of alcoholism:

Type 1 alcoholism: It is developed in adulthood, early in the twenties. It is most often associated with the desire to relieve stress and anxiety and is not associated with any antisocial or criminal behavior.

Type 2 alcoholism: It develops earlier, usually during the teenage years. Type 2 alcoholism is associated with violence, destructiveness, and other criminal and antisocial behavior.

 Characterization of Alcoholism:

• A variety of social and/or legal problems arising from alcohol use.
• The inability to control drinking once it has begun.
• A prolonged period of frequent, heavy alcohol use.
• Tolerance or the need to use more and more alcohol to achieve the same effects.
• Physical dependence manifested by withdrawal symptoms when the individual stops using alcohol.

Alcohol affects every body system, Problems include memory disorders, poor nutrition, difficulty with balance and walking, cirrhosis and hepatitis, muscle weakness (including the heart), anemia, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal inflammation and irritation, heart rhythm disturbances, clotting disorders, decreased immunity to infections, acute and chronic problems with the pancreas, high blood fat content, low blood sugar, interference with reproductive fertility, increased risk of cancer of the liver, esophagus, and breast, sleep disturbances, anxiety, weakened bones and depression.

Causes: stress and peer behavior

 Symptoms: Vomiting, Decreased heart rate, Wernicke's syndrome and Korsakoff's syndrome, loss of memory, Numbness and tingling in the arms and legs. Ulcers, bleeding, pain in the stomach.

Diagnosis:

• The tendency to drink more alcohol than one intends; being unable to stop drinking or avoid drinking once started
• Withdrawal: A person experiences unpleasant psychological and physical symptoms when he or she does not drink alcohol
• Unsuccessful attempts to reduce or stop alcohol use
• Tolerance:  A person becomes accustomed to consuming alcohol and must increase the amount in order to obtain the desired effect
• Choosing to use alcohol at the expense of other important tasks or activities such as work or family obligations
• Devoting large blocks of time to acquiring and consuming alcohol
• Drinking despite evidence of negative effects on one's physical and/or mental health

Treatment:

Detoxification: It involves helping the person stop drinking and ridding his or her body of the harmful (toxic) effects of alcohol. Because the person's brain and body has become accustomed to alcohol, the alcohol-dependent person will most likely develop withdrawal symptoms and need to be supported through them. Mild withdrawal symptoms include nausea, achiness, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, sweatiness, anxiety, and trembling.

Disulfiram (Antabuse) is a drug which, when mixed with alcohol, causes unpleasant reactions including vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and trembling.

Naltrexone helps to reduce the brain's craving for alcohol.

Acamprosate works by reducing anxiety and insomnia that often occur when habitual drinkers become abstinent.

Alcohol, addiction, disulfiram, genetics

• http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157163.php
• https://www.verywell.com/signs-and-symptoms-of-alcoholism-66520
• http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/alcoholism-and-alcohol-abuse.htm