ALCOHOLISM

Alcoholism is a disease in which a person has an overwhelming desire to drink alcoholic beverages. A person who has this disease is called alcoholic. A person may get drunk occasionally, but that does not make him or her alcoholic. An alcoholic feels forced to drink

In the United States, alcoholism is one of the leading causes of death each year. Experts estimate that 18 million Americans suffer from alcoholism. At least two thirds of all alcoholics are men. But in general, the effects of alcoholism are far more severe among women. Tow out of three American women being treated for alcoholism are under 35 years of age. Millions of other Americans, including many teen-agers periodically drink too much. Many people drink to escape temporarily from anxieties, frustrations and tensions.

Cause: Research indicates alcoholism frequently has a genetic origin-that is, the compulsion to drink alcohol is a characteristic passed on from parents to their children. Some researchers believes certain alcoholics may be born with a reduced level of endorphins. Endorphins are morphine like substances in the brain that relieve feelings of stress and pain. People who lack sufficient endorphins may drink compulsively to regain feelings of well being. But alcohol actually reduces the level of endorphins even more, and thus, the need to drink increases.

Some researchers believe psychological pressures, such as stress, may cause alcoholism. Alcoholics believe they can make life bearable only by drinking.

Types of alcoholics: Experts who agree with the endorphin theory may classify alcoholics into three types. These are (1) Type 1 Alcoholics (2) Type II Alcoholics (3)Type III Alcoholics

Type 1 Alcoholics: are characterized as “born alcoholics”. These individuals are born with a genetic defect in their endorphin-producing system. They drink to make up for the lack of endorphins , because alcohol temporarily creates a false sense of well being. Eventually however, alcohol further weakens the brain’s ability to produce endorphins.

Type II Alcoholics: are characterized as “stress-induced” drinkers. They are born with normal brain chemistry. But as a result of their drinking to relieve stress, their natural levels of endorphins are reduced. Thus temporarily alcoholic behaviors occurs.

Type III Alcoholics: are characterized as “drug-induced” drinkers. They once had normal brain chemistry, but continued use of alcohol has weakened the brain’s ability to produce a normal amount of endorphins. Continued drinking leads to a shortage of endorphins and to long term alcoholic behavior.

Effects: Alcohol is a “depressant”. Specifically, alcohol affects the control centers of the brain. As a result, intoxicated people may lose their self control and behave in ways that are unacceptable to others. They may experience mental confusion and an inability to walk steadily or talk clearly.

Prolonged heavy drinking of alcohol can produce more serious effect. For example, a condition known as “delirium tremens”, often called DTs may result after an alcoholic stops drinking. This condition results in mental confusion, hallucinations, violent trembling, and sometimes death. Another condition associated with alcoholism is Korsakoff’s syndrome. Symptoms of this syndrome include mental confusion, hallucinations, and paralysis of the hands and feet. Alcoholics with Korsakoff’s syndrome may have memory gaps or tell stories of fantastic experiences in a believable way.

Prolonged excessive drinking also may cause cirrhosis a disease that damages the liver. Women who drink heavily during pregnancy may give birth to babies who suffer from fetal alcohol syndromes. Such babies are abnormally small at birth and may have malformed organs or be mentally retarded.

Treatment: for alcoholics includes care for their physical and emotional needs. The patient first goes through a condition called withdrawal, during which all alcoholic beverages are withheld. Many alcoholics suffer convulsions and hallucinations during withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms may last several days or more.

Rehabilitation procedures include individual, group or family therapy. Treatment centers for alcoholics have been set up by corporations, medical centers, and federal and state agencies. Such organizations as Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, and Alateen have played major role in helping alcoholics and their families over come their problems. Future treatment may include the use of chemicals to raise endorphin levels in the body. Prevention of alcoholism in children of alcoholics may eventually be possible through the use of psychological testing and examination of body fluid chemistry and brain wave patterns.