Abuse of alcohol, becoming dangerous for the individual and his family.
Alcoholism also means all diseases resulting from this abuse. It seems preferable to speak of addiction to alcohol, characterized by the following criteria:
The preferred alcohol drinking alcohol in any other activity
The drinks are absorbed almost always the same
Alcoholic support better and better alcohol
Signs of withdrawal
Disappearance of signs of withdrawal by taking liquor
Need to renew making alcoholic drinks
Return of alcoholic behavior after abstinence
It is estimated that in France about a million and half people dependent on alcohol, five million risk drinkers or problem drinkers, 25 million low risk. Of the five million drinkers, half have a more or less severe disease associated with alcohol consumption. If the risk of cancer increased by 10 through ½ pack per day to a pack and a half, the risk is multiplied by 50 when it goes from 4 to over 10 glasses a day. This disease, which we do not know the cause, usually begins insidiously. Intoxication by alcohol leads to damage of organs and tissues in these organs, but also a physical dependence associée.L alcohol abuse is causing loss of relational general, professional and serious damage (absenteeism among others). The consequences of alcoholism are not on the psychological level, exactly the same for males than for females. Women tend to drink alcohol so solitary and social stigma are less frequent than among men who are most affected by this problem than women. However, it should be noted that the difference is reduced progressivement.L alcoholism affects about 1 in 4 consultant in a general medical ward at the hospital. Finally, the incidence of alcoholism is increasing steadily among women and adolescents and high school (associated with the consumption of drugs such as marijuana among others). Some religions are hardly affected by the alcoholism (Muslims, Jews). The individuals concerned are mainly those belonging to countries with large industries producing alcohol. This is the case of Europe and America Nord.Il does not seem to exist a particular profile may be related directly to alcoholism. However, alcohol appears to alleviate some unpleasant symptoms such as anxiety, depression or schizophrénie.Les alcoholics are most likely to come from a difficult home environment. It is the same of their parental history accompanied by an adversarial relationship, combined with a disruption of cultural transmission. Children’s education also seems to take a large share in the determinants of alcoholism (consumer behavior). It does not seem to exist for genetic disorders or familial predisposition to alcohol abuse. However, the incidence of alcoholism is higher among children of alcoholic parents than children adopted by adult alcoholics.
The concept of alcoholism has been introduced by Huss in 1852.
Generally, during the first consultation in the doctor, it is made an examination on the drink. During the examination, the doctor will ask about the amount of drink taken during a typical week.
This consumption is usually quantified in units of alcohol.
A unit of alcohol contains about 9 g of alcohol, which is equivalent to half a pint of beer, one measure of spirits or wine glass table’s alcohol is dangerous for man from 21 units per week, and 14 units per week for women.
Consequences (partial list)
Absenteeism at work
Emotional and relational, especially in the couple
Child Abuse
Unemployment
Financial Difficulties
MeurtreInfractions violence up to and during driving
Repeated suicide attempts (number higher than in a normal population)
Psychological profile type of morbid jealousy (suspicion of sexual infidelity)
Lesions encountered in alcoholics:
Cirrhosis
Peripheral nervous system (the entire nervous system except the brain and spinal cord)
Lesions in the brain (nervous system included within the skull)
Reaching the cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels) accompanied by cardiac arrhythmias. Other cardiac lesions result in the inability of the cardiac muscle to do its job properly. This leads to cardiomegaly (enlargement of the heart) and congestive heart failure and a myocardial fibrosis (hardening and decreased capacity of heart muscle contraction).
Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach)
Achievement of the pancreas (pancreatitis alcoholic)
Hepatic (liver function is irreversibly compromised). It is characterized by misuse of absorbed sugar and sugar in reserve (glycogen) with a tendency to hypoglycemia (frequent falls of blood sugar in the blood) by an inability to mobilize reserve sugar in the liver and muscles. On the other hand, hypoglycemia is often accompanied by a poor diet.
Vitamin B1 (thiamin) that cause lesions of the peripheral nervous system and brain. This thiamine deficiency associated with alcohol abuse can also cause heart disease of the alcoholic (beri-beri heart).
Tags: alcohol, alcoholic, Alcoholism, Definition Of Alcoholism
