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Alcohol Dependance & Addiction

Most people do not perceive alcohol as a drug due mainly to its common use in society. Nonetheless, it is a drug and its effects can be just as damaging as the illegal drugs we are more familiar with. Alcohol is produced through the fermenting or distilling of various grains, vegetables, or fruits. The level of alcohol depends on the drink. Spirits, for example, typically contain higher levels than say wine or lager.

Alcohol works by being absorbed into the bloodstream, the effects of which depend on certain factors such as the drinker’s sex, size, metabolism, amount of food in the stomach, and of course how much they have had to drink. To begin with, the drinker feels relaxed and more sociable. Further intoxication can lead to impaired judgement, slurred speech, and memory loss. Excessive dinking often leads to vomiting or unconsciousness and can result in alcohol poisoning and in rare cases, coma or death. At the very least, a ‘hangover’ can be expected after a night of heavy drinking.

While the majority of people are able to drink in moderation, for others it develops into a problem. Dependence to alcohol is a gradual process, beginning with tolerance steadily increasing. Regular drinkers are able to drink more before suffering the adverse effects and often don’t appear intoxicated. Psychological dependence can occur in those who drink moderately but regularly. This can be linked to social situations such as drinking at the pub with friends. The thought of not being able to drink, and thus relax, can cause them to feel anxious and panicky. Physical dependence happens in cases of particularly heavy drinkers. Their bodies adjust to the presence of alcohol and they will suffer withdrawal symptoms, such as tremors and sweating, if drinking is stopped.

Alcohol addiction can take over the sufferer’s life, impacting negatively on relationships, work, and health. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption greatly increases the risk of developing illnesses such as liver disease, heart disease, and stomach cancer. Of course, the social impact of alcohol can be just as damaging, contributing to violent crime, domestic violence, and car related deaths.