Alcohol addiction is a preventable and treatable disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, current estimates suggest that 12 to 15 million Americans are alcoholics. The earlier an alcoholic receives intervention, the better the chances of a complete recovery. However, a long-term problem drinker may also receive effective treatment. A number of organizations offer active support groups. Alcoholism is a cause for concern for several reasons.
Effects of Alcoholism
When a person drinks in moderation, the pleasant effects of alcohol are felt with the first drink or two. However, consuming more alcohol will impair mental and physical functions with undesirable results. Consuming a large amount of alcohol over a short period may result in coma and even death. In the long run, heavy drinking leads to alcohol addiction and causes damage to many parts of the body, substantially increasing the risk of serious physical and mental illnesses.
Health Risks
Brain damage may result from repeated, excessive consumption of alcohol. For example, the drinker may suffer intellectual deterioration, depression, memory loss and eventually dementia. The risks of cirrhosis, hepatitis, fatty liver and liver cancer are serious. The heart and circulation also suffer from chronic alcohol intake. Excessive alcohol use may lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, anemia and blood-clotting disorders, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Abusive and Aggressive Behavior
Alcohol consumption is an important factor in traffic accidents due to sensory impairment and aggressiveness. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, alcohol plays a part in nearly half of all traffic accidents and deaths in the United States. Alcohol intoxication is also a common cause of abusive and aggressive behavior at home, resulting in domestic violence, marital problems and divorce.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Drinking even small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can damage the fetus. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, "fetal alcohol syndrome can cause irreversible physical and mental disabilities." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fetal alcohol syndrome is the third leading cause of birth defects in the United States. Abnormalities may include delayed growth, physical deformities and heart defects.
Drug Interaction
Drinking alcohol in general can interact with prescription drugs such as antibiotics, anticoagulants, antiseizure medications, beta-blockers, pain relievers, antihistamines and antidepressants. Numerous over-the-counter medications also react with alcohol, such as aspirin and acetaminophen. The Food and Drug Administration oversees warning labels informing consumers about the interactions between alcohol and over-the-counter medications.
