Alcoholism is an uncontrollable desire to drink alcohol. A person drinks too much alcohol that damages organs of his body. It not only affects the life of an Alcoholic person, but also impacts lives of people around him.
Are you not able to control the urge for drinking, feel like drinking quite often?
Did you try to control cravings, and failed to do so?
Did you experience any symptoms like Tremors, Anxiety, Frustration, Heart Palpitation, Nausea and Sleeping Disorders?
Has your body got used to the consumption of Alcohol to make it intoxicated?
Did you continue to drink even after facing memory black out and hangovers ( Post drinking effects )?
Knowing that you have a medical condition which might get bad by intake of Alcohol, still not able to quit?
If you are facing all the above symptoms, then you are an Alcoholic.
Too much drinking of Alcohol may give rise to the following conditions. One is the drinking problem and other is alcoholism ( When person becomes dependent on alcohol ). Both conditions are interrelated.
In drinking problem a person becomes habitual but the body is not dependent on Alcohol. But in Alcoholism, too much drinking habit of a person makes his body dependent on Alcohol.
With the span of time, Alcohol damages vital organs of the Body. It may lead to Liver Failure, Heart Failure, Diabetes and degrades other body organs.
Effects of Alcohol on Liver: It causes Hepatitis, Fatty Liver and Cirrhosis.
Hepatitis: It is an inflammation of the Liver caused by drinking too much Alcohol. Alcoholism increases the risk of other types of Hepatitis like Hepatitis A, B and C. It is accompanied by Jaundice and Nausea. Hepatitis is dealt with separately on this Portal.
Fatty Liver : In this the fat get deposits inside the Liver. It may happen due to other reasons too.
Cirrhosis : Excessive consumption of Alcohol may results in Cirrhosis. In this condition the tissues and blood vessels of the Liver get damaged. It is a fatal disorder that may lead to Liver Cancer.
Effects of Alcohol on Gastrointestinal Tract : The tract includes Esophagus, Stomach and the Intestines.
It causes inflammation and Ulcers in the Tract. This may cause swelling of Esophagus and Intestines. It may lead to internal bleeding also. If it is not treated on time, inflammation may damage the Pancreas.
Effects of Alcohol on the Lungs : Excessive consumption of Alcohol, disrupts the production of White Blood Cells. This makes the body more prone to Lung infections. It increases the risk of Pneumonia, Cough and Fever.
Effects of Alcohol on Nervous System and Brain: Alcoholism disrupts normal functions of the Brain and the Nervous System. It effects the sleeping pattern and Memory. This results in Insomnia and Depression and Neurological Disorders. It disturbs the functions of neurotransmitters that may cause Slurred Speech, Difficulty in walking and Poor concentration.
When a person is drunk, and not in his senses, he may become so violent that he might end up killing himself or the other person.
Effects of Alcohol on Reproductive Organs : Alcoholism causes imbalance between the estrogen and testosterone hormones. It results in breast enlargement in males and infertility in females. Though, the hormonal imbalance increases the sexual desire, but decreases the performance of a person.
Drinking too much alcohol may cause
Hangovers . It is dealt with separately on this portal.
Causes of AlcoholismStress
Depression
Low self esteem
Bipolar Disorder
Anxiety Disorder
Stressful lifestyle
Easy access to alcohol
Lack of family support
Severe childhood trauma
Problems in a relationship
If not treated properly, Alcoholism may causeGout
Cancer
Anemia
Fatigue
Seizures
Dementia
Depression
Memory loss
Pancreatitis
Nerve damage
Infectious disease
High blood pressure
Cardiovascular disease
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Eye muscles become weak
Injuries in automobile accidents
Your best bet is, only "YOU".
A visit to the Doctor is a must.
Note 1 . Milk Thistle and Kudzu will not cure the patient from the habit of drinking. However, they will take care of the Liver. In fact none of the herbs given here will stop the person from drinking. They are all meant to protect his vital organs from deterioration caused by Alcohol.