- What is alcoholism?
- types of alcoholism
- Symptoms of alcoholism
- Causes of alcoholism
- Consequences of alcoholism
We explain what alcoholism is and what types of alcoholism exist. Also, what are its causes, symptoms and consequences.
What is alcoholism?
Addiction to alcohol is called alcoholism. alcohol. It is a chronic, progressive and fatal disease, characterized by a consumption excessive, constant and harmful of said substance, in quantities and forms superior to those accepted socially or to those considered nutritional. It is a disease that not only affects the individual, but also his environment, since the effects of alcohol often include loss of inhibitions and erratic behavior.
There is no fixed amount of alcohol consumed that determines whether or not one suffers from alcoholism, since affected people can follow very different consumption patterns. However, in all cases there is a continued and increasing consumption of the substance, as the body develops tolerance, as with other drugs.
accidents and behaviors risks derived from alcoholism are some of the main causes of death around the world, such as crashes, hit-and-runs or suicides. The adolescent population is particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon, given the common use of alcohol as a socially accepted disinhibitor and the instabilities typical of this period of growth.
It is estimated that some 3.3 million people a year die in the world due to the harmful use of alcohol, 5.9% of all annual deaths. There are numerous organizations social and health organizations committed to combating this scourge throughout the world, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. In fact, in most nations of religion Muslim, the consumption of alcohol is simply prohibited.
types of alcoholism
There are two forms of alcoholism, depending on their vulnerable population:
- Type I alcoholism. It usually affects adults, who present stages of high consumption followed by periods of sobriety, which become shorter and shorter as the disease progresses. It is usually accompanied by liver diseases and social disorders.
- Type II alcoholism. It is more usual in adolescence, and is usually associated with violent and asocial behavior. Unlike type I, it is not characterized by a gradual increase in consumption, but rather operates more like massive and frontal consumption.
Symptoms of alcoholism
The usual symptoms of alcoholism can vary from person to person, but they usually have to do with:
- Abstinence syndrome. When deprived of access to alcohol, the individual responds by feeling physically unwell or psychologically disturbed. This is immediately remedied by taking a drink.
- physical symptoms In the long run, dizziness, sweating, problems with coordination, nausea and vomiting.
- Changes of personality. By consuming, the patient can take decisions impulsive, drastically vary their personality, present euphoria, anger or discontent for no apparent reason.
- Delirium. The individual may present crises of fear, depression, paranoia, or erratic behavior, as well as self-defeating behaviors, instability, and erratic thinking.
- liver problems A symptom that comes very late is often liver complications, such as life-threatening fatty liver or liver cirrhosis.
Causes of alcoholism
The causes of alcoholism are varied, given that a certain hereditary factor has been determined in the propensity for it, as well as in the ability to digest and assimilate alcohol. It is considered an inherited disorder, although it is usually triggered by massive and constant consumption of the substance, which is clearly a behavioral decision.
Even so, 80% of cases of alcoholism cover other underlying emotional and psychological (and even psychiatric) ailments, when not situations of high stress or chronic depression, since the patient consumes to avoid anxiety. reality.
Consequences of alcoholism
The consequences of alcoholism are serious and can lead to death. In addition, consumption during pregnancy can have serious effects on the development of the fetus, causing mental retardation, malformations, low birth weight, epilepsy and other deficiencies in its formation.
On the other hand, the altered states of consciousness caused by alcoholism can lead individuals to take unnecessary risks and cause harm to themselves or others. people. This is particularly important when it comes to driving cars or heavy machinery. It can also trigger suicidal behaviors, or push individuals to make irresponsible decisions, all of which have a high social, economic, emotional and psychological cost.
Lastly, alcoholism eventually leads to irreversible physical damage, such as the deterioration of cells of the liver and other vital organs, or neuronal damage that results in blackouts, disorientation or failure of learning.