Alcohol
The most commonly abused drug in
North America, alcoholism affects
millions of people everyday with
more than one in thirteen Americans
suffering from the disease. The
consequences of alcoholism are quite
serious both in terms of damaged
personal relationships and physical
health, as heavy drinking can increase
the risk for certain cancers including
those of the liver, esophagus, throat,
and larynx, and may also cause liver
cirrhosis, immune system problems,
brain damage and harm to the fetus
during pregnancy.
 Withdrawal Symptoms
Both
a psychological and physical addiction, the symptoms of alcohol
withdrawal include, but are not limited to:
- sweating or rapid pulse
- hand tremor (“the shakes”)
- insomnia
- nausea or vomiting
- physical agitation, jumpiness
- anxiety
- transient visual, tactile or auditory hallucinations
or illusions
- grand mal seizures
- loss of appetite
- death
Treatment
Treatment for alcoholism typically includes a period of
detoxification, followed by a prescribed medication program
of disulfiram or naltrexone to help control cravings and avoid
a relapse once drinking has stopped. Individual and group
counseling are a major part of alcohol treatment and usually
involves enrollment in Alcoholics Anonymous on an outpatient
basis.
Learn how to distinguish
alcohol abuse symptoms from alcoholism.
|