Alcoholism Facts - Facts About Alcohol

A person is said to be an alcoholic when the following symptoms are detected:

• A strong desire or compulsion to consume alcohol
• Loss of control over amount of drinking
• Increase in the necessity to drink to "get high"
• Excessive sweating, nausea, anxiety or shakiness occur when one stops drinking

Alcoholism is not concerned with willpower. It is linked with the uncontrollable need of alcohol. Just as a normal person requires water and food, an alcoholic needs alcohol. A minority of people get freedom from the grip of alcoholism without any assistance. However, the others need of external help to stop drinking.

Facts

Decreasing the amount of alcohol does not help. It is essential to stop it completely. If an alcoholic stops drinking for a long span of time, still this person is susceptible to a downfall any time. It is very common for such transformed persons to begin drinking again. It is pivotal that such persons take additional help to completely cure alcoholism. Here are some interesting facts on the subject.

• Alcohol diminishes from the body at a rate of 0.015% of blood per hour.
• A drunk person cannot become sober by exercise, cold showers or black coffee.
• Less consumption of alcohol does not have an adverse effect on brain cells. Instead, the cognitive mental function is improved.
• Women are affected more quickly than men.
• Alcohol has a calorific value. Yet, its consumption does not lead to a weight gain in men. Surprisingly, there is a small weight loss in women.
• People who drink heavily and still do not become intoxicated have possibly become tolerant towards it. This may start dependency on alcohol.

Effects

If taken in small amounts, alcohol considerably affects the ability to drive a car safely or operate a machinery. When the amount is low to moderate, the person can demonstrate child abuse and domestic violence. Moderate alcohol leads to garrulity and dizziness. A large quantity causes fatigue, thirst, headache, dizziness and nausea. All the above mentioned effects are for a short span of time.

Heavy consumption of alcohol continuously for several months can alter a sober person to an addict, which can lead to many long-term effects like:

• Sexual dysfunctions
• Different types of cancer
• High blood pressure
• Permanent damage to crucial organs
• Decreased disease resistance
• Nutritional deficiency
• Gastrointestinal complications like ulcers, nausea and diarrhea

Facts for Teens

• Alcohol affects the central nervous system, the judgment and prompts to risky demeanor like rash driving or unsafe sex.
• It causes a loss of coordination, memory problems, unclear vision and sometimes blackouts.
• As alcohol is directly absorbed in the bloodstream, many formidable diseases like cancer may erupt.
• Excessive consumption may lead to alcohol poisoning that further causes coma or mortality.
• If a sober person sits with alcoholics, the person may be passively affected as these alcoholics being out of control, may become violent and unrestrained.
• It is not legal for those below 21 years of age to purchase or possess alcohol.
• Those less than 21 years age may have to pay heavy fine or lose their driver's license or lose their car if found drinking.
• If alcohol is mixed with some drugs this may cause coma and death.
• Those who suffer from depression aggravate their problem by drinking.
• If teens start drinking at age 15 the probability of alcohol dependency is 5 times more than those who begin after 20
• A 1.5 ounce shot of liquor, a 5 ounce glass of wine and a 12-ounce bottle of beer have similar quantity of alcohol. So, the concept that beer is safe is wrong.

Neuroscience research has concluded that "naltrexone" is an anti-craving medication. This drug when used along with behavior therapy, efficiently treats alcoholism. The drug is said to aim at the brain's reward circuits and assists to maintain sobriety after detoxification from alcohol. In Europe, "acamprosate" is an anti-craving medicine that diminishes the physical discomfort that occurs after an alcoholic refrains from drinking.