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Alcoholism may be defined as any physical, mental or social problem
caused by alcohol. It exists at all levels of society, but is
especially prevalent and resistant to treatment amongst poor and
homeless persons. Alcoholism is about four times more common in
men than in women, and is now more frequent amongst young people.
The recovery rate is up to sixty per cent amongst those with family
support and employment. Without such forms of support the recovery
rate drops to one per cent.
Chronic alcoholism has the following features:
- Increased tolerance to alcohol: the same amount of
alcohol has less effect.
- Stereotyped drinking: a definite and persistent pattern
to drinking behaviour.
- 'Blackouts': memory lapses after heavy drinking.
- It is now accepted that alcoholism or alcohol dependency is
present where there is an intake of more than twelve standard
drinks (200 mL standard beer or 100 mL wine) per day and the person
is drinking almost every day.
Alcoholism leads to disease in all parts of the body, including:
- The stomach: bleeding from ulcers and poor absorption
of vitamins and minerals.
- The pancreas: inflammation
('pancreatitis'), which seems
to be increasing in incidence in the community.
- Heart: rapid or irregular pulse, high blood pressure.
- Lungs: pneumonia, TB (tuberculosis) and cancers of
the mouth and lungs.
- Brain and nervous system: Alcohol is the great mimic
(that is, it can cause problems which may be confused with health
problems due to other illnesses), and is a possible factor in
all acute confusional, psychotic, and coma
states. Major epileptic fits are common
when withdrawing from drinking. Peripheral neuritis
occurs mainly in the legs (numbness or loss of sensation occurs).
Brain damage, with the loss of judgment, memory and personality,
is seen in chronic drinkers. Finally, the syndrome, not seen very
often now, of the 'DTs' or Delirium
Tremens, with a combination of severe anxiety, tremor and
hallucinations, may occur.
- Blood system: Blood loss and other anaemias are common.
- Skin: Infection, bruising, 'Dupeytrons'
(contracture of the fingers) and spidery rash spots may occur.
- Liver: All forms and stages of liver disease, including
cirrhosis, occur.
- Social complications include isolation from family
and from the community, an increase in acts of violence and other
crime, and poverty.
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