Explaining Alcoholism Research Paper

Words: 455
Pages: 2

Explaining Alcoholism...
By Ed Philips
Jan 17, 2008
If you suffer from alcoholism, you may delude yourself into thinking that you are consuming alcohol. The fact of the matter is that it is alcoholism that is consuming you, your hard earned money, energy, time and above all your health.

The exact meaning of alcoholism is when somebody deliberately consumes alcohol while knowing what the detrimental physical and social consequences are. It is medically described as a person who is unable to the control the urge to consume alcohol. Alcoholism is therefore the tendency to consume alcohol compulsively while not being able to recognise its negative effects.

Some people consume alcohol, have problems with it but suppress its characteristics and
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They will drink with a certain caution and will spread out the drinks they consume in different places throughout the day. The problem is that once they start like that, it is so difficult to keep on track as they will drink larger quantities and at a faster pace.

Their memory begins to fail them as they begin to forget their social commitments and this is medically termed as 'blacking out'. Interest is lost in any pleasurable entertainment or activity as their mind begins to only focus on the next drinking occasion. Irritation is caused if they are unable to get their next dose and they will eventually fall out with the most important people in their lives. Their tolerance to high alcohol levels grows and they end up just drinking more and more in order to feel its effects.

Alcoholism or otherwise the physical dependence on alcohol is a disease that gradually takes over our body. The balance in brain chemicals like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), is altered with the increase of alcohol intake which will help to the control the impulsiveness while glutamate will excite our nervous system. The dopamine level in the brain increases through the presence of alcohol which can lead to excitable behaviour. Continued drinking will either multiply or deplete these chemical levels causing the body to crave for more alcohol, whichever the case may