The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, or NIAAA, explains that alcohol addiction is a disease that includes the following symptoms: craving alcohol, not being able to control drinking behavior, physical dependence on alcohol and tolerance to alcohol. The text "Drug and Alcohol Abuse" reports that the development of alcoholism is dependent on multiple factors, including a person's genetics and social environment.
Alcohol
Alcohol used for human consumption is also known as ethanol or ethyl alcohol. The Encyclopedia Britannica explains that it is produced by the fermentation of carbohydrates found in sugar crops and grain crops. Fermentation uses yeast to break down the plant sugars in the absence of oxygen--a process that yields ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that alters the activites of the neurotransmitters gamma aminobutyric acid, or GABA, and glutamate.
Abuse vs. Dependence
"The Clinical Manual of Addictive Disorders" distinguishes between two different types of alcohol disorders--abuse and dependence. Alcohol dependence is defined by a physical need for alcohol in order for the body to function normally. It is characterized by withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating, tremors and agitation. Consuming alcohol relieves these symptoms in a dependent individual. Abuse is characterized by problematic use of alcohol without actual physical dependence. Problematic use varies; it can involve operating machinery or vehicles while intoxicated, impaired performance at school or work, discord in the home and family, and a number of other scenarios.
Alcohol Dependence
Alcohol dependence develops after a person uses alcohol on a regular basis over a long period of time. This results in the person's body adapting to the constant presence of alcohol and making metabolic changes at the cellular level in order to function normally. "The Clinical Manual of Addiction Psychopharmacology" explains that alcohol exerts its depressive effects in two ways: by increasing levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and by increasing cellular sensitivity to the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. The consequences of this are readily observable when alcohol withdrawal is experienced by a dependent individual; the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system becomes hyper-excitable because alcohol is no longer inhibiting the actions of the cells that keep it quiet. Additionally, cells that have become especially sensitive to excitatory communication are suddenly bombarded with signals to activate following alcohol withdrawal. These physiological effects result in withdrawal symptoms such as muscle tremors, sweating, inability to concentrate, racing heart and anxiety.
Long-Term Effects of Alcoholism
The Mayo Clinic lists several health problems related to the long-term use of alcohol. Since alcohol is metabolized by the liver, it is one of the primary organs harmed by alcoholism. Cirrhosis is the formation of scar tissue in the liver that interferes with the organ's ability to fully function. Additionally, the heart and circulatory system may suffer damage from alcohol, causing increased blood pressure as well as increased risk of stroke and/or heart failure. Other systems are also susceptible to damage from alcoholism, including the digestive, reproductive and nervous systems.
Treatment for Alcoholism
"The Clinical Handbook of Addictive Disorders" recommends that people suffering from alcoholism seek professional medical attention to treat both the emotional and physical aspects of the disease. This may involve counseling and support group services, as well as treating any other co-existing psychological disorders. The text "Drug and Alcohol Abuse" emphasizes the importance of safe alcohol detoxification for people who have other medical problems, disabilities or history of seizures. Detoxification involves abstaining from alcohol consumption and allowing the substance to metabolize out of the body completely.
References
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: FAQ for the General Public
- "Drug and Alcohol Abuse: A Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment (Sixth Edition)"; Marc A. Schuckit; 2006
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ethyl alcohol
- "Clinical Manual of Addiction Psychopharmacology"; Henry R. Kranzler, M.D. and Domenic A. Ciraulo, M.D.; 2005
- "The Clinical Handbook of Addictive Disorders (Third Edition)"; Richard J. Frances et al.; 2005
