Alcoholism is the addiction to alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholism is the addiction to alcoholic beverages . It is, therefore, a disease caused by excessive consumption of this type of beverage, which generates various health disorders.
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It should be noted that an alcoholic beverage is one that, among its compounds, includes ethyl alcohol (a chemical compound also called ethanol ). These drinks can be produced through a distillation or fermentation process. Ethyl alcohol, on the other hand, causes different effects on the body, and can cause confusion, euphoria , nausea and drowsiness, and is also toxic .
Characteristics of alcoholism
When the body generates a need to drink alcoholic beverages, it is said that the person suffers from alcoholism. It is important to keep in mind that alcohol is a drug that is legal in most countries, despite the fact that it causes a large number of deaths around the world.
Whoever suffers from alcoholism is classified as an alcoholic . These individuals have a physical dependence on alcohol: if they do not consume it, they experience a withdrawal syndrome. In addition to behavioral changes, chronic alcoholism can cause cirrhosis , hepatitis , impotence , and heart disease , among other problems.
Alcoholism has multiple negative consequences.
Its consequences
The consequences that alcoholism causes in the body are not more serious than the level of destruction it causes in the person's emotional and professional levels . In cases that include a great exposure with each state of intoxication, it is common for shame to arise later, as well as reproaches from family members who have felt humiliated by the situation.
When alcoholism leads the individual to make a fool of himself in front of his environment, the consequences can be especially negative and considerably reduce the chances of recovery: although on the one hand it is possible that moments of exposure awaken in someone the desire to help him, It is more common for them to attract severe criticism and distance them from their loved ones.
There are various treatments that help control alcoholism so that the person can remain sober and abstain from consumption, although it requires the will and firm decision of the patient .
Signs of alcoholism
Before reaching alcoholism itself, it is much easier to achieve a reduction in consumption until reaching normal levels; However, once the line is crossed the following signs begin to appear:
- It becomes impossible to control the amount of drink consumed.
- It is increasingly necessary to drink more to achieve the same effects.
- Withdrawal symptoms begin hours after the last alcohol intake, some of which are shaking, sweating, and anxiety.
- Drinking becomes so important that it overshadows any other activity, even those that have occupied much of their time in the past, such as their vocations.
- S imilar to the previous point, his closest relationships and his work are put at risk, but this does not make him stop drinking, and the loss grows exponentially.
The causes
Although it is not known with certainty what the causes of alcoholism are, many experts point out that there may be a genetic predisposition combined with environmental issues and certain personality traits, such as lack of self-esteem and impulsive character.
In other words, people with a history of alcoholism in their family and who lead an overly stressful or demanding life are very likely to fall into the clutches of alcohol.