Definition:
Alcoholism is a disease which results in a persistent use of alcohol despite negative consequences.
DSM-IV: (the standard for diagnosis in psychiatry and psychology) defines alcohol abuse as repeated use despite recurrent adverse consequences.[3] It further defines alcohol dependence as alcohol abuse combined with tolerance, withdrawal, and an uncontrollable drive to drink.
Physical Symptoms:
• Increased tolerance
• Continued use despite physical problems
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Red eyes, puffy face
• Numbness in the arms or legs
• Swelling of the liver
• Blackouts, not remembering drinking episodes
Signs:
• Physical fights
• Screaming matches
• Missing work
• Poor diet
• Body pains
• Driving under the influence
• Increased tolerance to liquor
• Storing booze around the house and yard secretly
• Drinking in the morning to cure a hangover
Risk factors:
• Social environment
• Emotional health
• Genetic predisposition.
Identification and diagnosis:
• Screenings( Questionnaires)
• Genetic predisposition testing
• DSM diagnosis
• Urine and blood tests
Effects:
• Physical health effects: Physical health effects associated with alcohol consumption may include cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, epilepsy, alcoholic dementia, heart disease, increased chance of cancer, nutritional deficiencies, sexual dysfunction, and death from many sources.
Mental health effects:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Panic disorder
• These psychiatric symptoms caused by alcohol misuse initially worsen during alcohol withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal:
• When alcohol is stopped, especially abruptly, the person's nervous system suffers from uncontrolled synapse firing. This can result in symptoms that include anxiety, life...