Medline Plus defines alcoholism as drinking alcoholic beverages at a level that interferes with social, family or job responsibilities. Alcoholism involves a physical and mental dependence on alcohol. People who suffer from alcoholism develop psychological effects and often rely on alcohol for their day-to-day functioning. Alcoholism affects all aspects of a person's life and can affect relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
Anxiety
According to HelpGuide.org, alcoholism can cause serious health complications, affecting virtually every organ in the body--including the brain. People who have alcoholism develop a mental dependence to alcohol and spend a great deal of time thinking about alcohol. Anxiety may develop if they don't have alcohol, because alcoholics often feel like they have to drink in order to perform their daily tasks.
Irritability
People who have alcoholism develop a high tolerance level for alcohol and need extra amounts to get drunk or to achieve the desired effect. If they don't have access to alcohol, they may experience irritability as a psychological effect of withdrawal, notes HelpGuide.org.
Alcoholism can cause irritability in the abuser when others confront the alcoholic about drinking, reports Familydoctor.org. Abusers downplay the negative consequences of drinking and often complain about family and friends exaggerating their alcoholism. They also tend to blame their drinking or drinking-related problems on others, reports HelpGuide.org.
Depression
Medline Plus says alcohol can change a person's behavior, slow motor skills and decrease the ability to think clearly. Alcohol causes a depressing effect on the brain and can cause depression in the abuser. Depression can also develop in the abuser due to the negative effects that it produces in her life. Alcohol has a tendency to use a great deal of energy and focus in the abuser, and it can become the center of her life, HelpGuide.org says. The abuser can lose control over her drinking and lose her job. Alcoholism can damage finances and relationships, too. Depression can develop in an abuser if she fails to stop after promising herself that she would.
