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Alcoholism

Alcoholism Overview

Alcohol problems vary in severity from mild to life threatening and affect the individual, the person's family, and society in numerous adverse ways. Despite all of the focus on drugs such as cocaine, alcohol remains the number one drug problem in the United States. According to community surveys, over 13% of adults in the United States will experience alcohol abuse or dependence (also referred to as alcoholism) at some point in their lives.

Withdrawal, for those physically dependent on alcohol, is much more dangerous than withdrawal from heroin or other narcotic drugs.

  • Alcohol abuse refers to excessive or problematic use with one or more of the following:

    • Failure to fulfill major obligations at work, school, or home

    • Recurrent use in situations where it is hazardous (such as driving a car or operating machinery)

    • Legal problems

    • Continued use of alcohol despite having social, family, or interpersonal problems caused by or worsened by drinking
  • Alcohol dependence refers to a more serious disorder and involves excessive or maladaptive use leading to 3 or more of the following:

    • Tolerance changes (need for more to achieve desired effect, or achieving the effect with lesser amounts of alcohol)

    • Withdrawal symptoms following a reduction or cessation of drinking (such as sweating, rapid pulse, tremors, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, agitation, anxiety, or seizures) or using alcohol to avoid withdrawal symptoms (for example, early morning drinking)

    • Drinking more alcohol or drinking over a longer period of time than intended (loss of control)

    • Inability to cut down or stop

    • Spending a great deal of time drinking or recovering from its effects

    • Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities

    • Continuing to drink despite knowing alcohol use has caused or worsened problems


Next: Alcoholism Causes »

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Alcoholism

Alcohol Intoxication Definition and Causes

Definition: A person is said to suffer from alcohol intoxication when the quantity of alcohol the person consumes exceeds the individual's tolerance for alcohol and produces behavioral or physical abnormalities. In other words, the person's mental and physical abilities are impaired. The person can't function and certainly should not be operating a motor vehicle.

  • Causes: Alcohol is a generic term for ethanol, which is a particular type of alcohol produced by the fermentation of many foodstuffs—most commonly barley, hops, and grapes. Other types of alcohol commonly available such as methanol (common in glass cleaners), isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), and ethylene glycol (automobile antifreeze solution) are highly poisonous when swallowed, even in small quantities. Ethanol produces intoxication because of its depressive effects on various areas of the brain causing these impairments in ...

Read the Alcohol Intoxication article »



Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine

Alcoholism »

Alcoholism is common, serious, and expensive.

Read More on eMedicine »

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