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Alcoholism Information
Rehab, Detox, Long-Term and Physical Effects
Alcohol, as ingested orally by humans, is ethanol alcohol (also referred to as ETOH for its chemical composition), made by fermenting or distilling fruit, grains and/or vegetables. Alcohol depresses the central nervous system by interfering with communication between brain cells, most notably nerve cells. Most people drink one or more of the following forms of alcohol
Effects of Alcohol on the Human Body
As an individual continues to drink alcohol, they progress through the following stages: Euphoria and excitement (Increased self confidence, poor judgment, shortened attention span); Functional difficulty (Sleepiness, poor coordination, memory loss, blurred vision, delayed reactions); Stupor (Extreme confusion, highly emotional, inability to stand or walk, vomiting, lapsing consciousness); Shutdown (Prolonged periods of lost consciousness, slowed respiration and circulation, suppressed reflexes); and finally death.
Long Term Effects of Alcohol Use
As an individual habitually drinks, the liver becomes more efficient at removing alcohol from the bloodstream, and the alcoholic must consume ever increasing amounts of alcohol to receive the same effects. This greatly contributes to alcohol addiction. Approximately 8% of the United States population is addicted to alcohol and would be considered an alcoholic. Many more experience periods of unhealthy drinking activity. The sustained use of alcohol has numerous long term health effects, including emotional instability and irritability, memory loss, liver damage, heart disease, brain damage, vitamin deficiency, stomach ulcers, skin problems, and sexual performance problems.
Alcohol Rehab and Detox Considerations
Because alcohol is legal, it is more difficult to convince the alcoholic that he or she needs help for their drinking problem. Frequently, an alcoholic may only acknowledge the need for treatment after injuring another or damaging property while drinking. For the long-time alcoholic, detox is often needed prior to entering alcohol rehab because the shakes or delirium tremens may develop from alcohol withdrawal if alcohol use is stopped immediately without medical intervention.
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