Dorothy FarrarAlcoholism
Alcoholism is a mental illness that results from alcohol abuse . The purchase and consumption of alcohol determine the daily routine. The desire to drink, no matter what time of day and in what situation, increases. Job, family and your own personality fade into the background. If the consumption of alcohol is reduced or limited, then withdrawal symptoms appear.
what is alcohol
Alcohol is also referred to as ethanol in chemistry and is one of many compounds that act like a neurotoxin on humans. However, unlike the other similar compounds, ethanol is drinkable. It is formed during various manufacturing processes of alcoholic beverages, for example during fermentation. Alcohol is considered a stimulant, but also an intoxicant, although most of its consumption is permitted. Due to its effect as a nerve toxin, it has many harmful effects, which not only have an effect immediately after consumption, but can also result in long-term consequential damage.
How does alcohol work?
Alcohol is absorbed throughout the human digestive tract, and this process begins as soon as it comes into contact with the oral mucosa. Its immediate effect depends on the drink in which it is contained.
Warm drinks or hot alcoholic drinks, for example, can increase blood circulation a few minutes after drinking. Cool drinks, on the other hand, have a disinhibiting effect over time, causing you to behave more exuberantly and uncontrollably the more you drink. In addition, hot alcohol is absorbed more quickly than cold alcohol.
The toxin causes the muscles of the body to relax, increases blood flow and numbs the senses, so it is often drunk when feeling frustrated. A small part of the alcohol is excreted directly, the rest is metabolized in the liver to ethanal. This substance causes the classic symptoms of a hangover after drinking alcohol, such as headaches and nausea.
Over time, alcohol also has an effect on people’s resistance to the neurotoxin: those who drink a lot more often will need far more alcohol over the years than they did at the beginning, before they get drunk or show the first signs of enjoyment.
causes
The trigger for alcohol addiction begins with the person themselves. In addition to genetic disposition and psychological reasons, the family situation is decisive. Children observe the behavior of adults and young people around them when dealing with alcohol. They experience the situations in which alcohol is drunk and they notice how alcohol affects people. Calm people let themselves go, others become aggressive or start crying. First experiences with drinking are made in the peer groups. When the mood in the group rises and dopamine is released, the young people want to repeat this positive experience. Partying becomes routine.
Alcohol is tolerated differently by people. Anyone who cannot tolerate alcohol from the outset will drink little later. Adults use alcohol consumption to gain courage or to relax. If the right measure in dealing with alcohol is lost, then a serious illness can result.
When to the doctor?
If you drink alcohol regularly, you should always see a doctor for a check-up. Even if the person concerned feels free of symptoms, organic problems can gradually arise that must be recognized and treated in good time. If personal hygiene is neglected, if you have trouble sleeping or if you get the feeling that you cannot get through the day without alcohol, it is advisable to talk to a doctor about the problems.
The person affected often needs emotional support in order to be able to accept help. Misunderstanding one’s own situation and dependence on alcohol are among the side effects of alcoholism. Relatives and acquaintances are therefore asked to be particularly sensitive and understanding when dealing with the patient. It can be helpful for the person concerned if the relatives also seek medical advice on the correct behavior in this difficult situation.
If the person concerned suffers from physical pain, general malaise, sweating or concentration problems, he should see a doctor. Alcoholism causes damage to individual organs, which can become life-threatening. Persistent tremors, restlessness, headaches , or behavioral changes occur when alcohol is not consumed. These are worrying withdrawal symptoms that should always be clarified by a doctor.
symptoms and course
Alcohol consumption affects the body and health, with the damage taking years to appear. Those affected remain inconspicuous for a long time until individual physical and psychological reactions become apparent. You are irritable, suffer from nausea and weight loss. The consequences of severe alcohol dependence are heart, liver and cancer diseases. When asked about consumption by relatives, they deny everything or play it down.
The person concerned drinks more alcohol every day and he secretly buys it so that the family does not find out. The alcohol is available at all times. Agreements and deadlines are not kept. When they try to drink less or alcohol is not available, withdrawal symptoms occur. People can no longer hide the tremors, they sweat and suffer from insomnia . Only drinking helps to make the symptoms bearable. Now people consume because the body demands it. They become indifferent and neglect duties.
Diagnose
The thoughts deal with one topic, alcohol. Those affected are in poor physical and mental health. The family doctor asks the patient questions so that he can make a diagnosis. This includes a physical examination and the evaluation of blood values. The blood values can be used to determine whether the liver is healthy. Avoiding alcohol helps the patient – the disease will accompany him throughout his life.
complications
Alcoholism causes both psychological and physical complications. As a rule, there is progressive retardation in those affected, since the brain cells are severely damaged by the increased alcohol consumption. Likewise, an aggressive attitude develops if the drug is withdrawn. Social contacts are restricted and the patient often cuts himself off from friends and relatives. Accidents can also occur due to the gait disturbances that occur when drinking alcohol. The liver is severely damaged by alcoholism, which can lead to fatty liver or liver cirrhosis . In the worst case, the person affected dies from alcoholism.
The heart is also weakened and internal bleeding can occur. Damage to the liver reduces its detoxification function, preventing it from properly breaking down alcohol. Heavy consumption can also lead to psychological problems, depression and a loss of reality. Patients often become violent when under the influence of alcohol. Alcoholism is usually treated with withdrawal. The further complications and complaints depend strongly on the duration of the alcoholism. Irreversible damage to the organs often occurs that cannot be reversed. Life expectancy decreases with the duration of alcoholism.
treatment and therapy
The earlier the treatment is started, the better the results. The therapy can take place on an outpatient or inpatient basis. The treatment is covered by health insurance. Patients are supported in self-help facilities and counseling centres. After the family doctor has discussed the therapy with the patient, the reduction in alcohol or physical withdrawal begins. For this, the patient must go to the hospital. The physical symptoms can become so severe that the person concerned is in a coma and must be monitored by a doctor.
After the body has been detoxified, it is important to resist alcohol. Treatment in a clinic takes a few weeks, but it can also be carried out on an outpatient basis. In both cases, everyday life must be managed without alcohol. Detoxification is difficult, but therapy can then begin. As long as patients are in the clinic, the risk of recurrence is lower. The patient must not isolate himself at home, he must remain in contact with the therapist.
In the event that the temptation of alcohol is too great, medication can be used. These drugs (acamprosate, naltrexone, nalmefene) help, but they are not a substitute for therapeutic treatment. The family should be involved in all measures so that the children or the spouse do not become co-dependent. This behavior can happen when everything is taken from the patient. Families often hide the problem by lying for the person concerned and covering up the alcohol consumption.
prevention
In everyday life, the patient is exposed to many situations in which he can drink alcohol. Whether invitations, birthdays, business, alcohol can be consumed everywhere. The danger of falling back into the daily routine is great.The family should set common rules and support each other. Relatives can also go to Alcoholics Anonymous and get professional help there.
Many patients who have made it and are sober will relapse again. For this reason, it should be carefully observed what can be the trigger for a relapse. Then a new attempt at therapy must be made.
In summary: Anyone who notices that they cannot do without alcohol should consult their family doctor for advice and an examination.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.