Addiction 2-Alcohol

I thought I would discuss about Alcohol addiction next because I have seen how Alcohol addiction ruins the lives of people. Let me first start with the definition. Alcohol addiction is a compulsive need for ingesting Beer, Wine and other hard liquors. This is present when a person craves alcohol and cannot limit his/her drinking. When I was little, I saw a neighbour who lost his life because of this addiction. He had a little daughter who at that early age of 6 understood the devastating effect the addiction had on her dad. Socially he became unacceptable in the community and it was very painful for his immediate family as well as his friends. When he died of Liver Cirrhosis, I had heard of that term only then. As years progressed, I have seen various effects of addiction on families. Then I decided I 'd do some research on the topic just to familiarise myself with the concept and why those addicted are addicted.. So here I am. The following is something I read,
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Scientists say that someone who has alcoholic addiction in his/her family is more likely to develop alcoholism if they choose to drink. Alcoholism can also develop or worsen based on a person’s environment and traumatic experiences in life. These factors may include culture, family, friends, peer pressures, and the way the person lives.

Alcoholism can lead people into serious trouble, and can be physically and mentally destructive. Currently alcohol use is involved in half of all crimes, murders, accidental deaths, and suicides. There are also many health problems associated with alcohol use such as brain damage, cancer, heart disease, and diseases of the liver. Alcoholics who do not stop drinking reduce life expectancy by 10 to 15 years.

• Too much alcohol can destroy brain cells, possibly leading to brain damage.
• Alcohol greatly disturbs the structure and function of the central nervous system, hindering the ability to retrieve, consolidate, and process information.
• Moderate consumption of alcohol can affect cognitive abilities while large amounts interfere with the oxygen supply of the brain causing a blackout when totally drunk.
• Alcohol addiction may also inflame the mouth, esophagus, and stomach, and could cause cancer in these areas, especially in drinkers who also smoke.
• Splurge drinking may produce irregular heartbeats, and abusers experience a higher risk of high-blood pressure, heart attacks, and other heart damage.
• Alcohol also can harm vision, damage sexual function, slow circulation, be the grounds for malnutrition, and water retention.
• It can also lead to skin and pancreatic disorders, weaken the bones and muscles, thus, decreasing immunity

A large portion of alcohol taken in is broken down in the liver. It is important to note that the liver has a fixed rate of breaking down the alcohol, so as the liver is overused, disorders and malfunctions can result, making the liver the primary location of alcohol’s damage. Liver damage can occur in three stages. The first stage is liver enlargement whereby liver cells are penetrated with abnormal fatty tissue. The second stage is the alcoholic hepatitis whereby liver cells swell, inflame, and eventually die. The third stage is cirrhosis in which fibrous scar tissues are formed, hindering the flow of blood through the liver."

They also say that there are two kinds of people who have this addiction.

1. The first group is completely in denial of the fact that they are addicted to alcohol and are firmly convinced that they are totally in control of their drinking. Sadly, it is unlikely that those who are in this group are ever likely to recover on their own.
2. The second group is able to either see for themselves that they are becoming or are already addicted to alcohol, or they open to finally being convinced by their friends and family that they need help. They can then go to an support group which is dedicated to helping such people to conquer their addiction. Those in this segment have every chance of recovery.

I am sharing this in my blog just to tell everyone how alcoholism affects you and eventually leads to loss of life and hence abstain from alcohol as far as possible.