Alcoholism is the inability to control drinking due to both a physical and emotional dependence on alcohol. Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a broad term for any drinking of alcohol that results in mental or physical health problems.
The disorder was previously divided into two types:
Alcohol Abuse: Alcohol abuse is a system of drinking too much alcohol too often. It hinders with your daily life.
There are two types of alcohol abuse, those who have anti-social and pleasure-seeking tendencies, and those who are anxiety-restrain people who are able to go without drinking for long periods of time but are unable to control themselves once they start. Alcoholism
You are abusing alcohol when:
- You drink more than 14 drinks per week or more than 4 drinks per occasion (for men).
- You have more than 7 drinks per week or more than 3 drinks per occasion (for men and women older than 65).
- Consuming these amounts of alcohol harms your health, relationships, work, and/or causes legal problems.
Alcohol Dependence: Alcohol dependence is the most serious form of drinking problem and describes a strong, often uncontrollable, desire to drink. Drinking plays an important part in the day to day life of alcohol dependent people, which could lead to building up a physical tolerance or experiencing withdrawal symptoms if they stop.
At least three out of seven of the following criteria must be manifest during a 12-month period:
- Tolerance
- Withdrawal symptoms or clinically defined alcohol withdrawal syndrome
- Use in larger amounts or for longer periods than intended
- Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down on alcohol use
- Time is spent obtaining alcohol or recovering from effects
- Social, occupational and recreational pursuits are given up or reduced because of alcohol use
- Use is continued despite knowledge of alcohol-related harm (physical or psychological)
Warning & Signs (Alcoholism)
The risk of alcohol dependence begins at low levels of drinking and increases directly with both the volume of alcohol consumed and a pattern of drinking larger amounts on an occasion, to the point of intoxication.
Warning signs of alcoholism include the consumption of increasing amounts of alcohol and frequent intoxication, preoccupation with drinking to the exclusion of other activities, promises to quit drinking and failure to keep those promises, the inability to remember what was said or done while drinking (known as “blackouts”), personality changes associated with drinking, denial or the making of excuses for drinking, the refusal to admit excessive drinking, dysfunction or other problems at work or school, the loss of interest in personal appearance or hygiene, marital and economic problems, and the complaint of poor health, with loss of craving, respiratory infections, or increased anxiety.
Alcoholism is characterized by an increased tolerance to alcohol – which means that an individual can consume more alcohol – and physical dependence on alcohol, which makes it hard for an individual to control their consumption. The physical dependency caused by alcohol can lead to an affected individual having a very strong desire to drink alcohol. These characteristics play a role in decreasing an alcoholic’s ability to stop drinking. Alcoholism can have adverse effects on mental health, causing psychiatric disorders and increasing the risk of suicide. A depressed mood is a common symptom of heavy alcohol drinkers.
Effects of alcohol
Short-term effects
Drinking enough to cause a blood alcohol concentration typically causes an overall improvement in mood and possible euphoria (a “happy” feeling), increased self-confidence and sociability, decreased anxiety, a flushed, red appearance in the face and impaired judgment and fine muscle coordination.
- Lethargy
- Sedation
- Balance problems and blurred vision
- Profound confusion
- Slurred speech
- Staggering
- Dizziness and vomiting.
- Stupor
- Unconsciousness
- Anterograde amnesia
- Coma (unconsciousness)
- Life-threatening respiratory depression
With all alcoholic beverages, drinking while driving, operating an aircraft or heavy machinery increases the risk of an accident; many countries have penalties for drunk driving.
Long-term effects
Having more than two drinks a day increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke. Risk is greater in younger people, which may result in violence or accidents. Alcoholism reduces a person’s life expectancy by around ten years and alcohol use is the third leading cause of early death in the World. No professional medical association recommends that people who are non-drinkers should start drinking wine. Long-term alcohol abuse can cause a number of physical symptoms, including
- cirrhosis of the liver
- pancreatitis
- epilepsy
- polyurethane
- alcoholic dementia
- heart disease
- nutritional deficiencies
- peptic ulcers
- sexual dysfunction,
And can eventually be fatal. Other physical effects include an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, malabsorption, alcoholic liver disease, and several cancers. Damage to the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system can occur from sustained alcohol consumption.
Psychiatric
Long-term misuse of alcohol can cause a wide range of mental health problems. Excessive alcohol use causes damage to brain function, and psychological health can be increasingly affected over time. The ability to understand humour is also reduced in alcohol abusers; Psychiatric disorders are common in alcoholics:
- Anxiety and depression disorders
- Psychosis
- Confusion
- Schizophrenia
- Panic disorder
- Major depression
- Panic disorder
- Bulimia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)
- Borderline personality
- Antisocial personality disorder(ASPD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Impulse disorders
- Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Women with alcoholism are more likely to experience physical or sexual assault, abuse and domestic violence than women in the general population, which can lead to higher instances of psychiatric disorders and greater dependence on alcohol.