Alcohol Abuse


According to the Greater Dallas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, over 100,000 people die every year in the United States as a result of drinking too much alcohol. This number includes victims of drunk driving or those who literally drink themselves to death.

Effects of Drinking

Even when drinking socially, people experience a certain amount of impairment and loss of judgment. Driving or operating heavy equipment can be a problem. People who drink socially may be more talkative than usual or more violent than usual. Another short term affect of drinking can be having a hangover.

Alcohol can seriously affect many parts of the body, including the liver and the pancreas. Alcohol consumption is thought to lead to some types of cancer, including as colorectal and breast cancers. Alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure. Women who drink while pregnant risk their children being born with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Types of Alcoholism

Alcoholism can be approached in three different ways, by:
  • Psychological addiction

  • Physical addition

  • Neurochemical addiction.

When psychologically addicted, people think that drinking will benefit them in some manner, such as making a social situation less stressful. The bodies of people who are physically addicted require more and more alcohol consumption to feel the same effect and may experience withdrawal symptoms. Neurochemical addiction occurs when the body produces endorphins as a result of drinking. People continue to drink to experience an endorphin “high.”

Symptoms of Alcoholism

Symptoms of a problem drinker who might be an alcoholic include:
  • Having a drink in the morning to help overcome a hangover from the night before

  • Having blackouts

  • Not being able to stop drinking.

People who try to stop drinking for a week only to resume after a day or two might have a problem. An alcoholic who ceases to drink can experience severe withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, hallucinations, and delirium tremens. Withdrawing from alcohol can even cause death.

Alcoholism Treatment

A true alcoholic will not be able to control his or her ability to drink. He or she will not be able to just cut back, although a problem drinker might.

Because of the seriousness of withdrawal symptoms, it would be wise for an alcoholic to consult a physician rather than just go “cold turkey.” In addition, it can be difficult to abstain from drinking over a long period of time without additional support or counseling.

By Laura Evans           


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