Alcohol is one of the most frequently abused substances. Because it is easily obtainable and legal in most countries, many people think it is safe. In fact, there are many short-term and long-term physical, psychological and emotional complications of alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse can lead to addiction, with devastating consequences to the alcoholic and to family members.
Short-Term Complications
The short-term complications of alcohol abuse are intoxication and alcohol poisoning. Alcohol intoxication distorts time and judgment. Many people drink too much too fast and do not realize how much they are drinking. Alcohol poisoning is a serious and potentially lethal event, which can end in brain damage, respiratory depression, coma and death.
Complications Secondary to Intoxication
Alcohol affects the way people behave, especially their inhibitions and risk-taking behavior. When alcohol is involved, there are many more falls, accidents, fights and deliberate violent acts. The severity can vary from simple falls and bruises to lacerations and broken bones to suicide and homicide.
Long-Term Complications
Constant alcohol drinking or drinking excessive large amounts of alcohol overwhelm the body's systems and is either directly or indirectly toxic to almost every tissue and organ in the human body. Complications arise in long-term alcohol abuse by affecting the liver, causing different stages of liver problems and liver diseases. Damage to the liver results in blood clotting disorders, immune problems, muscle breakdown, metabolic acidosis, hypoglycemia, blood poisoning, brain damage, coma and death. Alcohol is also directly toxic to the stomach and digestive system, the pancreas, the central nervous system, and the kidney and bladder. Alcohol interferes with the normal functioning of the hormonal and biochemical communication within the body, distorting the normal rhythms and responses of the body.
Alcohol Addiction
Psychologically, alcohol abuse leads to dependence and addiction. Alcohol dependence is a dangerous condition because the withdrawal from alcohol can be fatal. Addiction is a entire topic unto itself and consists of physical, biochemical and psychological factors. The alcoholic has constant cravings for alcohol and will spend a large proportion of his daily activities either drinking or searching for the next drink. Treatment consists of multi-modality strategies including medications, therapy counseling, behavioral modifications, and the 12-step program. Most recovering addicts will enter the Alcoholics Anonymous program.
Leaky Circulation
The body's main filtering system is the liver and a large percentage of the blood circulation is pumped through the liver for detoxification and filtration. Liver damage from alcohol abuse will cause the liver to function improperly or inefficiently. This will cause the liver filtering system to back up, causing increased portal blood pressure. This in turn causes potentially fatal bleeding or leaking in various places in the circulatory system due to weak capillary walls and increased capillary pressure. Subsequent leakage of fluids into the abdominal cavity causes ascites, or pools of accumulated fluids, and abdominal bloating.
