Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant used recreationally for its intoxicating effects. Alcohol dependence occurs when a person requires alcohol to avoid physical withdrawals and continues to drink despite obvious negative effects. Both...
In 2006, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 23.6 million Americans ages 12 and older had a substance or alcohol problem. Out of the 2.5 million who sought treatment at a specialty facility, 40 percent received help for...
Many people wine with dinner or a few beers while watching a game, but for some alcohol use can become alcohol dependence, a disease called alcoholism. According to the National Institutes of Health, those at risk for becoming alcohol dependent...
Regularly drinking too much alcohol may indicate alcohol abuse or the chronic disease alcoholism, also called alcohol dependence. Alcohol abusers can control their drinking while alcoholics cannot, but both types of heavy drinkers may require...
Alcoholics lose vital nutrients because they neglect their diet and often choose unhealthy foods during intoxicated periods. Over time, this has damaging effects on the body, leading to illness and life-threatening diseases. The liver, which...
Webster's Dictionary defines "dependence" as the quality or state of being influenced or determined by or subject to another". In this case, the subject doing the influencing is alcohol. According to Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., psychologist and managing...
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicates that regular drinking increases your risk for problems at home and work. People are more likely to argue when drunk, causing estrangement from family members. It strains...
Drugs to treat alcohol dependence aim at keeping recovering alcoholics sober following detoxification. Sedatives and other medications may be used while an alcoholic goes through withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking, confusion or hallucinations....
According to TeenHelp.com, alcohol is the most abused substance by teens in the U.S. Teenagers who abuse alcohol on a regular basis can become addicted and turn into alcoholics. Having a dependence on alcohol can affect a teen's health and his...
For many, drinking alcohol occurs at social events, in the presence of others, over dinner or at parties.There are many people who consume alcohol and experience very few problems as a result. Yet, there are individuals whose alcohol consumption...
Alcohol withdrawal is a condition with symptoms alcoholics might develop when they decide to stop drinking, according to FamilyDoctor.org. This syndrome typically affects people who have been drinking for weeks, months or years. Alcohol withdrawal...
Alcohol and sugar act on the reward system of the human brain, a characteristic action of addictive substances. The addictive properties of alcohol are well documented, but there is debate as to whether sugar truly is addictive. Sugar consumption...
Perhaps nothing awakens maternal or paternal instincts, or evokes stronger judgments, than seeing a pregnant woman drink. Despite popular belief, however, addictions cannot be controlled by willpower alone. The "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual...
The pleasurable effects of alcohol produce a relaxed mood when consumed in moderation. Excessive alcohol drinking, however, can intensify depression. Alcohol dependence and depression often occur together, according to NetDoctor. Although the two...
Alcohol dependence, according to the Centers for Disease Control, is a disease characterized by having a strong craving for alcohol, the inability to stop drinking and experiencing withdrawal symptoms after a period of abstinence. Alcohol works by...
Alcoholism and alcohol dependency are the same thing. The difference between the two terms is that alcoholism is a term commonly used among the public and the media, while alcohol dependency is the clinical term used in the diagnosis of an alcohol...
Alcoholism, or alcohol dependency, occurs when consumption of alcohol interferes with daily responsibilities at home and work, and negatively affects personal relationships, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In...
Alcoholism affects 17.6 million Americans, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Symptoms include craving, dependence, tolerance and loss of control. There are several types of treatment for alcohol addiction.
Alcohol dependency, or alcoholism, is a chronic disease that's characterized by the uncontrollable need to drink excessive amounts of alcohol. If you have alcohol dependency or alcoholism, you may also have liver problems from excessive alcohol...
Although drinking under the age of 21 is illegal, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the average age of first use of alcohol among adolescents is 14. Alcoholism in teenagers can cause potentially lasting damage....
In 2007, nearly 24,000 people in the United States succumbed to alcohol-related health problems, and that figure doesn't include deaths related to accidents or homicides, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When you have a loved...
Alcohol dependency can cause significant health and interpersonal problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that alcohol dependency may cause trouble in your relationships, your school or workplace and your social activities....
According to the National Institutes of Health, prolonged alcohol abuse can result in vitamin B deficiencies. If you have undergone detox for alcohol dependency, you may receive a variety of nutritional recommendations as part of your recovery...
Being addicted or dependent on drugs and alcohol is a serious issue. The effects of this type of dependency can have harmful effects on health and lifestyle. Many people also lose touch with friends and family members. Some people may lose their...
In a 2006 report, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, said 47 percent of all patients in treatment for substance abuse abused multiple substances. Treatment for alcohol abuse combined with psychostimulant...
There are a wide variety of treatment approaches for alcohol and drug dependence, each of which can be effective for different people. People looking for a program for substance abuse should find a treatment center that offers an approach best...
Insulin-dependent diabetes, also known as type 1 diabetes, is caused by your immune system attacking your pancreas so it does not produce enough insulin. If you have this kind of diabetes, you need to be careful about what you eat and drink....
Alcohol dependence and alcoholism are other names for alcohol addiction. The initial consequences of alcohol abuse tend to be mild and intermittent. Continued alcohol exposure builds tolerance, and the alcoholic may deny that drinking is causing...
