Alcoholism Facts - Facts Of Alcoholism You Should Know
Alcoholism facts can help one better understand the extent of
alcoholism and alcoholism warning signs. One of the alcoholism
facts is that alcoholism is a type of drug addiction that can be
both physical and psychological. Facts of alcoholism include the
reality that alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous
system, resulting in a decrease of activity, tension and
inhibitions. Alcohol affects other body systems as well.
Gastrointestinal tract irritation can occur with erosion of the
esophagus and stomach linings, causing nausea, vomiting and
perhaps bleeding. Additional alcoholism facts are that liver
disease may develop and eventually become cirrhosis of the
liver. The muscles of the heart may be negatively affected.
Other facts of alcoholism can be related to sexual dysfunction.
In men, problems with erections can occur with alcoholism. And
alcoholic women can cease having their menstrual periods
prematurely.
Here are more alcoholism facts:
* Alcohol and caffeine are the two most widely abused substances
in the world. The facts of alcoholism are that alcohol is the
more serious addiction due to alcohol-related accidents and
incidents.
* The incidence of alcohol consumption and related problems is
increasing. Researchers have found that about 15% of the
population in the United States are problem drinkers, and about
5-10% of male drinkers and 3-5% of female drinkers can be
diagnosed as alcohol dependent. This means as many as 14 million
persons are affected by alcoholism in the USA alone. These facts
of alcoholism numbers do not include family, friends and others
additionally affected by the actions of alcoholics.
* Alcoholism can be divided into two categories - abuse and
dependence. Alcohol dependence is the most severe alcohol
disorder and is characterized by tolerance and withdrawal.
Tolerance is the need for increased amounts of alcohol to become
intoxicated. Withdrawal symptoms occur when alcohol intake is
reduced or discontinued. Alcohol abusers are drinkers that may
drink heavily at various times and have problems such as
drinking and driving, violent episodes, or missing work or
school. * Alcohol use is mainly influenced by attitudes
developed during the childhood and teen years. In addition,
parent's attitudes and behaviors toward drinking, influence from
peers and family relationships can impact how one views and
treats the consumption of alcohol.
* About 20% of teens are considered 'problem drinkers' in the
U.S. What this means is that they get drunk, they may have
accidents, or they have problems with the law, family members,
friends, school or work due to alcohol consumption and related
facts of alcoholism. * Alcohol effects appear within 10 minutes
of drinking and are the maximum in approximately 40-60 minutes.
Alcohol will stay in the bloodstream until the liver metabolizes
the alcohol. If a person consumes alcohol at a rate faster than
the liver is able to break it down, the blood alcohol content
rises.
* Each state defines alcohol intoxication which is measured by
blood alcohol concentration. A breathalyzer field test is
commonly used to measure blood alcohol content for drivers. And
another of the alcoholism facts is that most states have a legal
limit of between 0.08 and 0.10. Different levels lead to
increasingly serious effects. A blood alcohol level of 0.05
reduces inhibitions, 0.10 results in slurred speech and a blood
alcohol level of 0.50 can result in coma.
The above information can be considered basic facts of
alcoholism. If you or someone you know may have a drinking
problem and wish to learn more alcoholism facts and perhaps seek
help, there are resources available in various ways. It is never
too late to begin recovery from alcohol addiction. Help is
available, and the sooner one begins the recovery process, the
better.
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