Illness characterized by the habitual, compulsive and lasting high consumption of alcohol as well as the development of radical negative behavior when drinking is suddenly stopped.
SYMPTOMS:
A prolonged dependency on alcohol results in severe problems:
1. In the pancreas.
2. In the liver.
3. In the heart.
4. In the urinary system.
5. In the skin.
6. In the sexual organs.
7. In the gastrointestinal and digestive tracts.
In the nervous system which may can be completely unsettled by the death of nerve cells. This is due to the fact that alcohol removes water from these cells producing a series of nervous disorders, which are frequently reflected in signs of depression and anxiety, which in extreme cases can lead to delirium tremens, causing hallucinations.
Alcohol is a substance which uses vitamins and minerals for its metabolism, and those that are not present are taken from the tissue causing a great disorder in the body.
Mothers who drink during pregnancy adversely affect their children causing serious physical and mental problems. Alcohol raises the risk of spontaneous abortions, retards development of fetus, and later can result in hyperactivity and irritability in the child. If a pregnant woman consumes alcohol on a regular basis (as well as other drugs) the fetus can become addicted to these substances.
CAUSES OF ALCOHOLISM:
1. Heredity
2. Environment
3. Work
4. Social drinking
5. Stress
6. Depression
7. Idleness
8. Immaturity and
9. Loneliness.
Peer pressure is one of the biggest causes of alcoholism. I started drinking in the company of my friends. It was due to peer pressure.
Alcohol addiction is an extremely dangerous problem and should be considered with utter gravity. Various alcohol rehabilitation centers exist now to offer aid to alcoholic people.
Alcohol has wide-ranging effects that can happen to any addict; it can cause so many health problems like liver failure, damage of nervous system etc.