Alcoholism 1
Alcoholism is the continuous or excessive use of alcohol with associated pathologic results. Alcoholism is characterized by constant or periodic intoxication, although the pattern of consumption varies, individuals admitted for the first time to an alcoholism treatment center typically have been consuming approximately 3–4 oz (80–100 g) of pure alcohol per day, corresponding to about seven to nine drinks or bottles of beer or glasses of wine. Studies have shown that problem drinking in these populations starts at about 2 oz/day (60 g/day), that is, four to five drinks per day, and that these are consumed in rapid succession, leading to intoxication on three or more days per week. Individuals who consume these levels of alcohol have also a greater than average risk of developing alcoholic liver cirrhosis. However, the levels should not be taken as absolute, since they can vary greatly in different individuals, according to body weight and other factors.
The symptoms and consequences associated with severe alcohol consumption also vary greatly; that is, in some individuals only a few may be present. These may consist of the development of physical dependence manifested as a state of physical discomfort or hyperexcitability (tremors or shakes) that are reduced by continued consumption; the development of tolerance to the effects of alcohol, which leads individuals to increase their consumption; accidents while intoxicated; blackouts, characterized by loss of memory of events while intoxicated; work problems, including dismissal; loss of friends and family association; marital problems, including divorce; financial losses, including bankruptcy or continual unemployment. Medical problems can include gastric ulcers, pancreatitis, liver disease, and brain atrophy and cognitive deficiencies, as shown by the inability to comprehend relatively simple