subject: Vital Information About The Ill Effects Of Alcoholism [print this page] Alcoholism is among of the hardest problems of countries across the globe. The implications of alcoholism are devastating and far reaching because it does not only effect alcoholics but also the people around them. They are affected psychologically, physically, socially and spiritually. Because of its detrimental effects, they are taken to rehab centers to obtain specialized treatment methods such as rehabilitation programs for alcoholism.
Definition of Alcoholism
Alcoholism is one type of psychological disorder characterized by the continued ingestion of alcoholic drinks regardless of the detrimental effects on the health of alcoholics. Its effects vary from one person to another and according to frequency, regularity and quantity of alcoholic beverages ingested. However if not treated, it can destroy the emotional and physical aspects of the alcoholic. Usually, alcoholism happens after consuming their first glasses of alcoholic beverages.
Causes of Alcoholism
Individuals consume alcoholic drinks for momentary happiness and pleasure, while some individuals take alcoholic beverages because of other factors such as socialization, genetic factors, mental illness, peer pressure, relationship changes, stress and to escape from problems. They failed to ponder that anything taken in extremes is bad and alcohol is no exemption. Alcoholic drink is among those things that cause destruction when ingested in extremes.
Health professionals in inpatient rehab center for alcohol believed that counseling and guidance sessions are important to help alcoholics deal with the emotional consequences associated with alcoholism. Inside the treatment center, therapists and experts help alcoholics cope with the withdrawal process and guide them in achieving continued sobriety.
Physical consequences of alcoholism
Alcoholism has serious effects on the health of alcoholics. Long-term alcohol dependency can lead to severe health complications, thereby affecting major organs of their bodies like liver, heart diseases and brain. It also leads to different types of illnesses and disorders like cancer, stroke, erectile dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, congenital defects of infants, gastritis, stomach ulcers, hypertension, memory loss, stupor and coma.
Psychological effects of alcoholism
The psychological effects of alcohol dependency vary from one individual to another, depending on the amount and frequency drinking alcoholic beverages. Individuals who rarely consume alcohol usually experienced boost of energy and relaxation, while those who consume alcoholic beverages in moderation experienced melancholy, nervousness, restlessness, irritability and relationship problems. Meanwhile, those who drink alcohol heavily usually experienced paranoia, insomnia and hallucinations. Other mental effects of alcoholism include mental depression, anxiety, compulsive behavior and personality changes.
Social effects of alcoholism
Results of studies reveal that alcoholism is strongly associated with domestic abuse, specifically by husbands to wives. Researchers found that 40% of physical and psychological violence are caused by alcoholism. Meanwhile, children of alcoholics usually suffer parental neglect, mental depression, poor performance in school and personality disorder.
Moreover, the damaging effects of alcoholism are not solely limited to alcoholics, the people around them but to communities as well. Alcoholism is linked to numerous social illnesses such as violent crimes, drunk driving, automobile accidents, workplace absenteeism and many more.
Because of the negative effects of alcoholism to the lives of alcoholics, the people around them and to society, it takes lots of determination, work and courage to recover from it. Remember that failure to treat alcoholics will only prolong the destructive nature of alcoholism.