For a number of years alcoholism research has demonstrated the fact that there is strong association between alcohol dependency and critical health conditions.
For example, in 2005, medical research and alcohol abuse and alcoholism statistics demonstrated the fact that that alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency cost the United States an estimated $220 billion annually. It can be emphasized that this gigantic alcohol-related expenditure was significantly more than the cost associated with cancer ($196 billion) or with obesity ($133 billion). While it is relevant to call attention to these facts, it is also noteworthy to emphasize the point that an interrelationship exists between all three of these health issues.
More specifically, chronic alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency are also highly associated with obesity and with cancer.
Definitely, substance abuse research has demonstrated the fact that alcohol dependency can augment the risk for various kinds of cancer, especially cancer of the kidneys, rectum, colon, voice box (larynx), esophagus, throat, and the liver. Excessive and recurring drinking can also lead to immune system problems and abnormality to the fetus during pregnancy.
Excessive and Irresponsible Drinking Deteriorates the Individual’s Systems and Organs
What is more, if alcohol dependency continues over a period of years, the person’s body organs will probably be affected in a negative manner. For example, long-term, abusive drinking is especially hurtful to the liver due to the fact that the liver does most of the work of processing the alcohol that has been ingested. Extreme amounts of alcohol kills liver cells and obliterates the ability of liver cells to redevelop. This medical condition leads to a progressive inflammatory disease of the liver that can sooner or later lead to cirrhosis of the liver, a serious and possibly terminal disease.Heavy, long-term drinking not only can lead to critical liver damage, but it can also result in damage to the heart and to the brain. Physical damage this critical may be irreversible and may, in turn, result in serious ill health or an untimely death.
The Importance of Alcohol Treatment
It is important, then, to know how to identify the different alcoholism symptoms and the “alcohol signs” so that the alcohol dependent individual can be given the opportunity to seek the quality alcohol rehab he or she needs.
Alcohol Dependency and Sophisticated Brain Research
Fortunately, medical research is relentlessly uncovering unique and important information. Recent alcoholism research provides an excellent example. More accurately, for roughly the past ten years, complex brain-imaging scanning devices have confirmed that continuous and recurring irresponsible drinking modifies the constitution of the brain to a substantial extent, thereby resulting in brain disease that can last months, years, or maybe as long as the individual lives.
More precisely, medical examination has shown that individuals who have been drinking in a hazardous manner for a substantial length of time increase their risk for developing long-term and severe changes in the brain.
This type of damage may be directly related to the alcohol’s effects on the brain, to severe liver disease, or might be indirectly associated with the drinker’s poor overall health.
Excessive Drinking, Malnutrition, and Mental Disorders
As a final example of different health problems that are substantially related to alcohol addiction, take into consideration the fact that according to medical exploration, the excessive and repeated abuse of alcohol can result in erosive gastritis, a medical problem that decreases the absorption of minerals, nutrients, and vitamins.
This type of organ malfunctioning is linked to malnutrition and to an array of acute mental and neurological problems including sleep disturbances, memory loss, and psychosis such as Wernicke’s Encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s syndrome. This latter health problem is a long-term debilitating medical condition that is exemplified by repetitive memory and learning difficulties.
Summary
It is obvious that repetitive, excessive drinking is directly or indirectly related to numerous serious medical conditions that can and do lead to serious illness and premature death. Such information needs to be highlighted and presented to everyone in our society so that a multitude of individuals will be able to refrain from abusive drinking while other individuals who have a drinking problem will get the quality rehabilitation they need.
|