Research suggests that moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages, particularly red wine, may have some health benefits. Moderate drinking is defined as less than or equal to one drink daily for women and two drinks daily for men. However, excessive consumption of alcohol is considered toxic to the human system and can cause physical dependency. Alcohol abuse is linked to many social and domestic problems including homicides, traffic accidents, and spousal and child abuse. About 14 million U.S. adults currently abuse alcohol or are chronic alcoholics. Statistics report that over 100,000 deaths in the U.S. per year are linked to alcohol abuse.
Alcohol abuse, or "problem drinking", is characterized by excessive or unhealthy drinking habits that result in destructive health and social consequences. Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to alcoholism, or alcohol dependence. Alcoholism is a progressive and often fatal disease, characterized by a physical dependence and loss of control over drinking alcohol. Although alcohol abuse can be treated and cured, there is no current cure for alcoholism.
According to The Mayo Clinic and The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the following symptoms indicate there is an alcohol abuse problem or addiction:
1. Craving-
Alcoholics have a strong urge to drink and are preoccupied with drinking. They continue to drink in spite of harm being done to their health and social or personal relationships.
2. Loss of control-
Alcoholics have little or no control over how much they drink and are unable to stop drinking. Drinking binges are often followed by blackouts (a loss of memory) and hangovers that interfere with work and other everyday activities.
3. Physical dependence-
Alcoholics experience an unpleasant physical response to withdrawal that occur during even brief periods of abstinence including nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety.
4. Tolerance-
Over time, alcoholics become tolerant to the effects of drinking and need to drink more alcohol to become intoxicated.
REFERENCES:
1. Alcoholism: Signs and Symptoms, MayoClinic.com:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340/DSECTION=2
2. What Is Alcoholism?, The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/FAQs/General-English/FAQ1.htm
3. Alcoholism, ReutersHealth, December 2001:
http://www.reutershealth.com/wellconnected/doc56.html
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on September 6, 2006 02:51 PM
