Alcoholism, or alcohol dependence, is a chronic disease characterized by craving, loss of control in drinking alcoholic beverages, desire to drink more to get high and physical dependence that can create withdrawal symptoms, such as shakiness, nausea and sweating after stopping drinking. Alcoholism may affect the liver, digestive organs and brain. And it might cause birth defects. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 14 million Americans, or approximately 7.4 percent of the total population, fit the diagnostic criteria of alcoholism.
Effects on the Brain
Alcohol travels to all parts of the body through the blood, and that includes the brain. A small amount of alcohol increases electrical activity in the brain, and results in a euphoric effect, increases self-confidence and reduces depression. However, when a person consumes large amounts of alcohol, it interferes with the chemical messages in the brain and results to clumsiness, slurred speech and reduced memory. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is the term given to a long term effect of alcoholism, which can affect limbs coordination and cause memory loss. According to Medline Plus, this occurs when increased alcohol levels leads to reduced thiamine, or vitamin B1, levels, which helps with brain function.
Effects on the Liver
The liver removes toxins in the blood, and it breaks down the alcohol. According to the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand, the liver metabolizes 90 percent of the alcohol, while a person excretes 10 percent through the urine. During the metabolism of alcohol, the liver produces acetaldehyde. This substance has toxic effects in organs, such as the brain, liver and stomach lining, and can cause vomiting, nausea and headache. Chronic alcoholism may lead to inflammation of the liver and progress to cirrhosis, or scarring of liver tissue.
Effects on the GastroIntestinal System
Consuming too much alcohol can cause the lining of the stomach to inflame, and can reduce the absorption of nutrients and vitamin B to the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. Alcohol can damage other organs, such as the pancreas. According to Medline Plus, alcoholism accounts for 70 percent of acute pancreatitis cases in the United States. The pancreas produces inactive chemicals known as enzymes, which normally should only b e active when they arrive in the small intestine. Alcohol activates them earlier, causing damage to pancreatic tissue.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Alcoholism Definition
- Medline Plus: Alcoholism
- Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand: Alcohol: Body Effects
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: "Alcohol Research & Health"; Highlights From the Tenth Special Report to Congress, Health Risks and Benefits of Alcohol Consumption
- Medline Plus: Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
