Alcohol addiction is a disease that spans a lifetime. Long-term abuse causes a physical dependence on alcohol and the need to drink more to achieve the desired outcome. When alcoholism goes untreated, negative health effects begin to occur. The body develops an inability to absorb vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is essential and stored in the liver, an organ often severely damaged by alcohol abuse. Repeat exposure to excessive amounts of alcohol can cause irreversible damage to the liver and eventual B12 deficiency.
Alcoholism: The Facts
Alcoholics often are unable to identify their own problem and may live in denial. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, this disease has four common signs of abuse: outward signs of a physical dependence in the form of shaking and sweating when he doesn't drink; a strong sense of craving a drink to relieve stress and feel good; once an alcoholic has begun to drink, he may lose of control and be unable to stop; and lastly, a tolerance is developed, and he may need to drink more and more. Alcohol abuse is toxic and, if left untreated, can lead to terminal health conditions. Alcoholism has no cure, although the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates treatment is available and effective.
Effects of Long-Term Alcohol Abuse
Profound damage to the body can occur after long-term alcohol abuse. Continual stress on the liver caused by repeated exposure to alcohol can eventually lead to inflammation of the organ. At the end stage, cirrhosis develops causing irreversible damage, according to the Mayo Clinic. Alcoholics often have poor diets limiting vitamin and mineral ingestion. Coupled with deficiencies caused by problems such as intestinal malabsorption and the liver's inability to adequately store and absorb vitamins, the alcohol abuser may experience severe vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Other consequences of alcohol abuse include pancreatitis, as well as complications in the nervous, digestive and cardiovascular systems.
Significance of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is vital to nervous system maintenance, the formation of red blood cells, DNA production and human metabolism. Found predominantly in meats, fish and dairy products, dietary deficiencies are rare for meat eaters. According to the National Institutes of Health, B12 is unique because unlike other water-soluble vitamins, it can be stored for years in the liver. While this vitamin is almost always readily available from storage, deficiencies often occur when the body cannot properly absorb the vitamin. A common cause of this malabsorption is a dangerous condition called pernicious anemia that can be caused by alcoholism. Without treatment, pernicious anemia can lead to gastric cancer.
Considerations
According to Oxford University, an important consideration with vitamin B12 and alcoholism is the vitamin's ability to appear normal in blood tests. Although serum levels are normal, tissues are experiencing a deficiency. Alcohol can induce severe disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, including loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Alcohol abuse also can cause absorption problems. Absorbed in the intestinal tract, B12's absorption rate is poor when these disorders are present.
Warning
Excessive alcohol consumption can be life limiting. Treatment is available and the physical damage caused by significant alcohol abuse can gradually be improved. Treatment must occur before the conditions become end stage. Alcoholics need a full medical work-up, including a complete blood count to test for pernicious anemia, to determine the severity of disease. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be improved with high levels of oral supplements or a B12 injection, something only your doctor should decide. When he can recognize his problem, the alcoholic should seek treatment and begin the journey to recovery.
