Alcoholism is a syndrome that occurs as a result of physical dependence on alcohol to the extent that sudden deprivation of alcohol may cause withdrawal symptoms. Genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors influence its development and manifestations. The typical symptoms of alcoholism include:
Impaired control over drinking.
Preoccupation with obtaining alcohol.
Use of alcohol despite adverse consequences such as impairment of physical health, psychological functioning, interpersonal functioning and legal and financial problems.
Denial involving manoeuvres that decrease awareness of the fact that alcohol use is the cause of the alcoholic's problems rather than a solution to those problems. Denial becomes an integral part of the disease and is usually a major obstacle to recovery from alcoholism.
When alcoholics voluntarily or forcibly abstain from alcohol consumption, they experience various withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, hallucinations and oversensitivity to noise.
Aside from the obvious hangovers associated with excessive alcohol consumption, long-term excessive alcohol consumption is associated with many health problems including:
Anaemia (macrocytic anaemia form).
Anxiety.
Brain cells (neurons) destruction.
Cancer (including cancers of the breast, colon, esophagus, larynx, liver, mouth, pancreas, skin, stomach and throat).
Cholestasis (impaired delivery of bile to the intestines).
Depression.
Digestive system damage (e.g. damage to the duodenum, intestines, pancreas and stomach).
Female Infertility.
Gastritis (stomach inflammation).
Gout.
Heart damage including cardiomyopathy.
Heartburn.
Hypertension (elevated blood pressure).
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Immune system suppression.
Insulin resistance (a precursor for diabetes mellitus).
