What Are The Effects Of Alcohol Addiction?

image: doctor checking status of alcohol addiction patient

Alcohol addiction has wide-ranging effects that encompass all aspects of the addict's life. Some of the potential effects of alcohol addiction could include:

Physical effects - Pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, insulin resistance, alcoholic dementia, nutritional deficiencies, heart disease and in extreme cases; death.

Economic effects - Loss of employment and the subsequent financial problems that follow as a result.

Social effects - Social alienation due to unacceptable social behavior, marital conflict and divorce.

Research studies have shown that people frequently abuse alcohol in order to get "high" or to have "fun." Many individuals who drink have stated that having a few drinks makes them feel more comfortable in social situations. The danger, however, is this: repeated alcohol abuse can result in alcohol dependency.

Legal consequences - Alcohol addicts often get into trouble with the law either because of public disorder or because of drunk driving.

Alcohol addiction affects not only the addict but also the addict's entire family who could experience consequences that range from neglect to domestic violence to spouse and children.

Driving under the influence of an illicit drug or alcohol is associated with age. In 2006, an estimated 7.3 percent of 16 year olds drove under the influence. This percentage steadily increased with age to reach a peak of 31.8 percent among 22 year olds. Beyond the age of 22 these rates showed a general decline with increasing age.

Abruptly discontinuing the use of alcohol could result in severe symptoms including convulsions, hallucinations, seizures and shakes. In severe cases it could cause heart failure and even death. Because of the critical nature of the symptoms, it is recommended that withdrawal issues should necessarily be controlled by a supervised detox.

Every single injury and death caused by drunk driving is totally preventable. Although the proportion of crashes that are alcohol-related has dropped dramatically in Think When You Drink signrecent decades, there are still far too many such preventable accidents. Unfortunately, in spite of great progress, alcohol-impaired driving remains a serious national problem that tragically effects many victims annually.

image: young woman upset about alcoholic behavior of boyfriend

Treatment for cessation of alcohol abuse typically includes managing the physical symptoms and bringing about behavioral changes. This is done by various therapeutic treatments ranging from medications to psychotherapy.

Antabuse and Natltrexone are two of the commonly used medications in the treatment of alcohol addiction. Antabuse works by creating an adverse reaction when alcohol is ingested and Natltrexone decreases the physical cravings of alcohol.

Long term use of folate and vitamin B12 are often recommended to help overcome the damaging effects of chronic alcohol use on the liver.

To most people, binge drinking brings to mind a self-destructive and unrestrained drinking bout lasting for at least a couple of days during which time the heavily intoxicated drinker "drops out" by not working, ignoring responsibilities, squandering money, and engaging in other harmful behaviors or activities such as fighting or risky sex.

Alcohol addicts can face a lifelong struggle in their effort to stay sober and relapse is a strong possibility on the long road to sobriety. Unlike drug addiction, where it is often more difficult to obtain the drugs, alcohol is easily available and it is easier for a recovering addict to fall back into the habit of alcohol abuse. Often even one drink at a social occasion can trigger off the addiction. Several professionals hold the view that relapse is part of the learning process and is something that an addict has to go through to finally attain full abstinence from their addiction.

Social support and life training offer recovering addicts much needed support and are indispensable components of alcohol addiction treatment. Alcoholics Anonymous is one such organization that is committed to helping alcoholics beat their addiction and lead normal lives.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabriel_J._Adams

According to the substance abuse research literature, in the second stage of alcoholism tolerance increases and the alcoholic drinks because of his or her dependence on alcohol, rather than because of emotional reasons such as relief from anxiety, frustration, or stress. This entire situation is unfortunate because instead of getting a "high" that relieves some of their anxiety and stress, the nature of an addiction is that the person uses more of the chosen drug to function on a daily basis and maintain his or her addiction.

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