Recognizing The Side Effects Of Alcoholism
The effects of acute and chronic alcoholism range from physical and mental disorders to economic problems like increase in unemployment. It is undeniable that its effect is far-reaching and has very serious implications. However, an alcoholic does not see this as such. To him, alcohol is a source of comfort and a temporary relief to all his problems. He does not even concern himself with the side effects of alcoholism just as long as he could go on with his drinking habit.
The main effect of alcoholism is to influence a problem drinker to use alcohol in greater amounts. Its secondary effect is the damage it causes physically, psychologically, and socially. The physical side effects of alcoholism include temporary to permanent damage of vital organs including liver, pancreas, brain, heart and bone marrow. Diseases stemming from nutritional deficiencies may also arise. Among which are scurvy, pellagra, beri-beri, and thiamine deficiency.
The social side effects of alcoholism include the economic costs acquired due to labor hours lost and treatment costs. Statistics also show that unemployment has a direct relationship with alcoholism. Increases in petty crimes, sexual and driving offenses, divorces, disability and death due to alcohol-related accidents and suicide incidents can also be blamed to alcohol addiction also.
Side effects of alcoholism may also manifest as alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur an alcoholic stops his alcohol intake. It is crucial for alcohol withdrawal to be properly managed because its direct effect may cause the death of the alcoholic. This is the reason why most alcohol detoxification treatments are done in specialized alcohol treatment facilities, sober living homes or hospitals and are administered by professionals. Some of the mild side effects of alcoholism withdrawal are nightmares, depression, fatigue, depression, vomiting and nausea, trembling, sleeping problems, loss of appetite, migraines, increased heart rate, sweating of hands and irritability. Some of the severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms are confusion and hallucinations, fever, convulsions and delirium tremens (DTs). An estimated 95% of alcohol addicts experience mild to moderate side effects of alcoholism withdrawal but the remaining 5% experience more several withdrawals. A body of an alcoholic is used to the presence of alcohol in its system that it reacts strongly to absence of alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur because the heavy use of alcohol produces gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which is a form of neuroinhibitor. If alcohol consumption is suddenly stopped, a condition wherein there is an absence of both alcohol and GABA occurs. When this happens, uncontrolled firings of brain synapses occur. Alcohol detoxification addresses the physical side effects of alcoholism. The process of detoxification can take three days and may stretch to a week. After detox, appetite for alcohol is already psychological. Since the body of an alcoholic at this stage is already cleansed of alcohol content, the main goal is to have it maintained this way. Relapse prevention becomes part of the addiction treatment thereafter. There are many facilities in the United States that can provide support to an alcohol for him to achieve long-term sobriety.
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