Alcohol and causes of alcoholism
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It acts in various places, including the reticular formation, spinal cord, cerebellum and cerebral cortex, and on many neurotransmitter systems. In the central nervous system, alcohol interferes with the processes that instruct certain nerve cells to activate or become excited. It also enhances those processes that instruct certain nerve cells to restrain. Thus, alcohol acts as a non-specific biochemical activity inhibitor in the central nervous system (that is why the effects of alcohol include sedation or anxiety reduction).
Alcohol dependence, addiction, or alcoholism, is a chronic pattern of alcohol abuse with physiological, behavioural and cognitive effects: when alcohol is taken repeatedly, over a long period of time, the brain adapts to its use, that is, the body relies on alcohol to maintain some functions causing alcoholism. But because brain has adapted to the presence of alcohol and it becomes less sensitive to it, the dosage will have to be increased gradually to obtain the original effect. So, an alcohol dependent person gets used to the effects of alcohol and requires more alcohol to get the desired effect, which is called tolerance.
On the other hand, when the alcohol consumption is erradicated, an alcoholic experiences physical disturbance, that is, withdrawal with bursts of electrical activity in the brain, accompanied by convulsions and sometimes by psychotic phenomena like hallucinations, that disappear by drinking alcohol again. The withdrawal symptoms occur because the brain has become adapted to the presence of alcohol and when not provided, the brain changes and disorders caused previously by alcohol become evident. Thus, when a person becomes dependent on alcohol, his or her organism only functions normally in the presence of alcohol.
Often alcohol dependence remains undetected for years. Both the availability of alcohol and the way it is used (the social patterns) appear to be major factors influencing the likelihood of a person becoming alcohol dependent or getting addicted on alcohol. But there may also be a genetic component, because alcohol dependence clusters in some families. However, its hard to be sure that this is not because of learned behaviour.
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| Is a state in which an organism functions normally only in the presence of alcohol and is manifested as a physical disturbance when alcohol is removed (withdrawal). |
To sum up, alcohol dependence ... AlcoholismAlcoholism: Symptoms of alcohol dependence (Alcohol addiction).
A definite diagnosis of dependence,addiction, should
usually be made only if three or more of the following symptoms have been
experienced or exhibited at some time during the previous year:
Narrowing of the personal repertoire of patterns of
alcohol use, that is, drinking only one brand or type of alcoholic beverage, e.g. a
tendency to drink alcoholic drinks in the same way on weekdays and
weekends, regardless of social constraints that determine appropriate
drinking behaviour).
Drinking excessive amounts
frequently
Drink-seeking behavior (only going to social
events that will include drinking, or only hanging out with others who
drink).
Inability to curb drinking despite medical,
psychological, or social complications
Progressive neglect
of alternative pleasures or interests because of alcohol abuse, increased
amount of time necessary to obtain or take alcohol or to recover from its
effects.
Alcohol tolerance. Having to drink increasing
amounts to achieve previous effects. Increased doses of alcohol are
required in order to achieve effects originally produced by lower doses
(clear examples of this are found in alcohol-dependent individuals who may
take daily doses sufficient to incapacitate or kill nontolerant users).
Withdrawal symptoms (getting physical symptoms after going
a short period without drinking). These symptoms may include anxiety,
agitation, headache, auditory disturbances, nausea and vomiting, clouding
of the sensorium, seizures, delirium, tactile disturbances, diaphoresis,
tremor, elevated vital signs or visual disturbances.
Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms (such as drinking to stop
the shakes or to "cure" a hangover).
A return to drinking
after a period of abstinence (deciding to quit drinking and not being able
to follow through).
Subjective awareness of the compulsion
to drink alcohol ( Admitting it to others or not).
Those
who have become alcohol dependent or have an addiction to alcohol generally require outside help to stop
drinking, which usually includes detoxification, rehabilitation and medical treatment.
What are the effects of alcohol dependence?
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Pancreatitis
or inflammation of the pancreas Heart disease, including coronary artery disease Neuropathy, or damage to the nerves Bleeding esophageal varices, or enlarged veins in the tube that connects the windpipe to the stomach Brain degeneration and alcoholic neuropathy Cirrhosis of the liver, a chronic disease that causes destruction of liver cells and loss of liver function High blood pressure Increased incidence of many types of cancer, including breast cancer Nutritional deficiencies |
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Depression is a common cause of alcoholism as
the depressed person seeks a way out of their problems or a relief
from insomnia. Unfortunately, alcohol is itself a depressant, so the
problem is only compounded. |
Finally, alcohol addiction (dependence) causes significant damage to occupational, social, and interpersonal areas, including sexual dysfunction.
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Ultra Rapid Alcoholism Detoxification
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100% successful detoxification without Withdrawal in
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For further information on alcohol dependence and alcoholism use the following search terms:
Mental health. Alcohol dependence
Discoveryhealth.com.
Alcohol addiction
Mental health channel. Alcohol abuse, addiction and
dependence
Netdoctor. Information on Alcoholism
What you need to know about.
Alcohol abuse vs. alcohol dependence