What Is Alcoholism?

addiction and alcoholism are believed to be a learned behavior that is masking a person's emotional or physical pain. There are almost as many treatments as there are addicts and alcoholics. Educate yourself before making any type of life-changing decison regarding alcoholism, addiction and substance abuse treatment.

Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease that causes a person to be so

physiologically dependent on alcohol that this dependence interferes with work, relationships or
school.

Alcohol abuse does not include an extremely strong craving for alcohol, loss of control over
drinking or physical dependence, but it can be just as devastating to your life.

Whether you have alcoholism or abuse alcohol, your problem can affect your quality of life and your career and can damage your relationships. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can be factors in violent crimes, teen pregnancies and date rape.
As many as 13 million people in the United States may have a problem with alcohol.

Short-term physical effects of alcohol use include:
Distorted vision, hearing and coordination.

Altered perceptions and emotions.
Impaired judgment.
Bad breath.
Hangovers.

Long-term physical effects of heavy alcohol use include:
Loss of appetite.
Vitamin deficiencies.
Skin problems.
Sexual impotence.
Memory loss.
Digestive-system disorders such as ulcers, inflammation of the pancreas, gastritis
(inflammation of the stomach) and cirrhosis (liver damage).
Central and peripheral nervous systems damage, including blackouts, hallucinations,
tremors, alcohol withdrawal syndrome and death.
Damage to unborn children (from even moderate drinking), including birth defects, mental
retardation, learning problems and fetal alcohol syndrome.
Psychological and interpersonal problems, including impaired thinking and judgment,
changes in mood and behavior, child abuse, impaired social relationships, and marital,
scholastic, job-related, legal, and financial problems

Did you find the addiction treatment information you were looking for? There are more articles and additional resources on this subject here. Take your time and take a good hard look...

Created by HellerNetWorks