Alcoholism is a prevalent disease around the world. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism statistics on alcohol reports that alcoholism is an addiction and is the number of cases is rising. Alcoholism affects all age group, particularly the teenage and adolescent populations and all socioeconomic status and education. Although alcohol is legally available in many countries it has many negative consequences and outcomes on personal, family, social and global aspects of the abuser. The negative complications of alcohol on health and diseases secondary to chronic alcoholism has been documented in numerous epidemiological and clinical studies. There are many adverse side effects with alcohol drinking; short term and long term effects, including addiction and behavioral changes.
Short-Term Effects:
Adverse side effects of alcohol drinking included blood poisoning and alcohol intoxication and inebriation. One adverse side effect of alcohol is that is affects person's judgment. and distorts time. There is dysfunction in the spatial-motor and visual co-ordination affecting motor skills like walking, driving, writing, and balance. Binge drinking can cause life-threatening consequences, such as coma, brain damage, and respiratory depression. Alcohol poisoning is a serious and potentially life-threatening requiring emergency attention. Chronic long-term abuse of alcohol can cause brain damage, depression of the respiratory system, coma and death. One significant symptom and sign of alcohol addiction is withdrawal side effects and developing tolerance.
Intoxication complications:
Alcohol intoxication has adverse effects on the abuser. Alcohol causes dis-inhibition and increase risk-taking behaviors. The person can become beligerent, aggressive and abusive and more likely to commit violent acts. Alcohol intoxication and withdrawal situations can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts, paranoia and hallucinations.
Long-Term Effects
Long-term effects of alcohol intake at large volumes (binges) can have detrimental and adverse health effects on the body and the internal organs, specifically, affecting the liver resulting in liver problems and related liver diseases. Secondary problems from liver cirrhosis includes a myriad of multi-system failures. For example, abnormal clotting and bleeding disorders, decreased immunity ans resistance, hypoglycemia, severe brain damage and amnesia/memory loss can occur.
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