Brain chemistry.
The desire for alcohol during withdrawal, pain suppression and the high rate of relapse is due to adaptation and dependence on changes in brain chemistry caused by his long-term use of alcohol. Alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system and causes relaxation and euphoria. In the brain, a small group of chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters, is responsible for changes in behavior after drinking alcohol. Of special interest to researchers are the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutérico acid (GABA, gamma amino butyric acid), dopamine and serotonin.
Genetic factors.
In people with severe alcoholism, researchers have located a gene that affects the function of a nerve-cell structure known as the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2), which, in turn, influences the activity of dopamine. This gene is also found in people with attention deficit disorder, who are at increased risk for alcoholism, and is also present in people with Toilette syndrome and autism. The association of this gene with these neurological problems leading some experts to believe that the dopamine D2 receptor gene is not a primary cause of alcoholism, but that people with this gene is more likely to drink to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of their neurological disorders. In addition, a main study did not find any connection whatsoever between the DRD2 gene and alcoholism. More work is needed in this area.
Depression and anxiety.
Some people drink to relieve anxiety or depression, and theories has been proposed on the fact that an inherited tendency for depression or anxiety can make people more susceptible to alcoholism. Studies have indicated, however, that when children of alcoholic parents raised by parents are not alcoholics, their risk for alcoholism but opportunities remain high for depression or anxiety are greater than those of the general population. Indeed, anxiety and depression are themselves caused by alcoholism can be reduced after the abolition of alcohol. Depression and anxiety can also play a major role in the development of alcoholism in the elderly and others who are subject to undesirable life changes like retirement, loss of a spouse or friend (a) and medical problems.
Physical Effects
Alcohol is not exposed to any process of digestion which mostly goes first to the small intestine before being absorbed by the bloodstream. Only a small portion goes directly into the bloodstream through the stomach lining. In the blood alcohol is metabolized (broken down to be removed or used by the body) through the process of oxidation. That is, it merges with oxygen and breaks down so that its basic elements leave the body in the form of carbon dioxide and water. The first oxidation is the liver, which breaks down approximately 50% of alcohol consumed in one hour. The rest remains in the bloodstream to be removed slowly.
Psychological Effects
Alcohol first affects the central nervous system and excessive and prolonged interference can cause brain damage. Popular belief that alcohol increases the excitement, but actually depresses many brain centers. The feeling of excitement is precisely because the depressed some brain centers reduce tensions and inhibitions and the person experiences feelings of sociability expanded or euphoria. Therefore it is said that alcohol “anesthesia, internal auditing.” However, if the alcohol concentration exceeds certain levels in the blood interferes with higher mental processes so that the distorted visual perception, motor coordination, balance, speech and vision have also suffered heavy damage. Large amounts of alcohol reduce body aches and pains and induce sleep. But continuous use irritates the stomach lining even to develop ulcers. Additionally tends to accumulate fat in the liver, interfering with its operation. In chronic alcoholics are raised serious brain disorders, liver (cirrhosis) and cardiovascular (increased blood pressure and thus the risk of a heart attack.) Even, there is evidence that alcohol increases the level of triglycerides (saturated fat or vegetable in the arteries) and thus also the risk of a heart attacks. Finally, as is well known, alcohol causes physical addiction and psychological dependence.
What damage alcohol causes in the body? At any given time depend on its concentration in the blood which in turn is determined by the following factors: amount ingested over a period of time, presence or absence of food in the stomach to retain the alcohol and reduce its rate of absorption, weight body, liver and efficiency of the person who eats
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