Ethyl alcohol is the type of alcohol that manufacturers turn into alcoholic beverages, and it is a common substance of abuse. Alcohol is one of the most widely abused drugs because, according to Drugs.com, it creates feelings of relaxation, inspires confidence and relieves anxiety. People who use alcohol regularly and those with alcoholism develop a tolerance to alcohol and must drink increasing amounts to experience its effects or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis describes a condition in which widespread liver damage occurs in people who regularly abuse alcohol over a prolonged period of time. The liver is the primary site of alcohol metabolism, making it the site of the most damage from alcohol as well. When the liver stops functioning normally owing to cirrhosis, other conditions, such as blood clotting disorders, mental status changes and bleeding from the esophagus, can occur as a result.
Pancreatitis
Chronic alcohol use or high-dose alcohol abuse can lead to a condition called pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas. The symptoms of this condition include abdominal pain, poor nutrient absorption from food, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. According to the journal "Pancreatology," alcohol abuse is the number one cause of pancreatitis in developed countries.
Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Alcohol is a common cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Although cirrrhosis can cause some of this bleeding, damage to the esophagus and the lining of the stomach caused by alcohol use is another source of bleeding. Alcohol increases the risk of stomach ulcers and esophageal damage from vomiting, direct damage to the lining of the esophagus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition in which stomach contents leak backward from the stomach into the esophagus. Alcohol weakens the muscle at the junction of the stomach and the esophagus, which normally acts to prevent the stomach contents from refluxing, or coming back up.
Mental Status Changes
Alcohol is a common cause of dementia. It can cause conditions called Wernicke's encephalopathy---a syndrome that consists of confusion, memory loss, vision changes and loss of balance---and Korsakoff's syndrome, a brain disorder characterized by memory loss, tremor and coma. Both Wernicke's encephalopathy and Korsakoff's syndrome can lead to dementia. People who abuse alcohol for a prolonged period may also experience personality changes and confusion.
References
- Drugs.com: Alcohol
- "Pancreatology"; Multicenter Approach to Recurrent Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis in the United States: The North American Pancreatitis Study 2 (NAPS2); Douglas Witcomb; August 2008
- Mayo Clinic: Cirrhosis
