Alcoholism is drinking alcoholic beverages at a level that interferes with physical health, mental health, and social, family, or job responsibilities.
Alcoholism is a type of drug addiction. There is both physical and mental dependence on alcohol.
Alcoholism is divided into 2 categories: dependence and abuse. People who are dependent on alcohol spend a great deal of time drinking alcohol, and getting it.
Physical dependence involves:
A need for increasing amounts of alcohol to get drunk or achieve the desired effect (tolerance)
Alcohol-related illnesses
Memory lapses (blackouts) after drinking episodes
Withdrawal symptoms when alcohol use is stopped
The most severe drinking behavior includes long drinking binges that lead to mental or physical problems. Some people are able to gain control over their dependence in earlier phases before they totally lose control. But no one knows which heavy drinkers will be able to regain control and which will not.
There is no known common cause of alcoholism. However, several factors may play a role in its development. A person who has an alcoholic parent is more likely to become an alcoholic than a person without alcoholism in the immediate family.
Research suggests that certain genes may increase the risk of alcoholism, but which genes or how they work is not known.
The incidence of alcohol intake and related problems is rising. Data indicate that about 15% of people in the United States are problem drinkers, and about 5% to 10% of male drinkers and 3% to 5% of female drinkers could be diagnosed as alcohol dependent.
Symptoms
Alcohol affects the central nervous system as a depressant.
Alcohol use(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Alcohol use involves drinking alcohol, which is produced by fermenting the starch or sugar in fruits and grains.Beer consumption; Wine consumption; Hard liquor consumption.People have been drinking alcoholic beverages since prehistoric times. The ...Reviewer: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 01/20/2009
Alcohol withdrawal(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Alcohol withdrawal refers to symptoms that may occur when a person who has been drinking too much alcohol every day suddenly stops drinking alcohol.Alcohol withdrawal usually occurs in adults, but it may occur in teenagers or children as well. It ...Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/27/2009
Alcoholic liver disease (2 images)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Alcoholic liver disease is damage to the liver and its function due to alcohol abuse.Liver disease due to alcohol; Cirrhosis or hepatitis- alcoholic; Laennec''s cirrhosis.Alcoholic liver disease usually occurs after years of excessive drinking. The...Reviewer: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/20/2008).Date: 12/12/2008
Alcohol and diet(Doctor-Reviewed information)
It is the percentage of alcohol multiplied by two. For example:.Drinking alcohol affects your nervous system and acts as a mild anesthetic and tranquilizer. Reviewer: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/02/2009
Fetal alcohol syndrome (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Fetal alcohol syndrome refers to growth, mental, and physical problems that may occur in a baby when a mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy.Alcohol in pregnancy; Drinking alcohol during pregnancy; Alcohol-related birth defects; Fetal alcohol eff...Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 10/28/2008
Alcoholic neuropathy (4 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Alcoholic neuropathy is a disorder involving decreased nerve functioning caused by damage that results from excessive drinking of alcohol.The cause of alcoholic neuropathy is controversial but may be the toxic effect of alcohol on nerve tissue. It...Reviewer: Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 04/30/2007
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