Showing posts with label alcoholism facts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alcoholism facts. Show all posts

Thursday, March 18, 2010

The physical alcoholism signs .

Alcoholism is a word synonymous with addiction or abuse, alcohol being the most abused substance in the world. This makes it extremely important for the people around alcoholics to know and recognize the alcoholism signs. Its important to understand how alcohol causes dependence. When alcohol reaches the brain it releases dopamine and serotonin both these chemicals are responsible for causing euphoria and a sense of well being.

The reason most people abuse this substance is for the sense of well being and euphoria it induces. Most alcoholics have tensions, stress, emotional problems and financial difficulties which they try to forget when under the influence of alcohol. Alcoholism signs are very peculiar and follow a particular sequence. The first sign is drinking in isolation; the addict tries to be alone while drinking. This stems from the fact that he or she is guilt conscious knowing that they cannot do with out alcohol and that the amount of alcohol they need is slowly increasing.

Drinking increasing amounts of alcohol is the very next sign and this happens because the body needs more and more alcohol to bring about the same effect of euphoria. The next lot of signs are setting aside specific times for drinking, these are generally after work or late evenings. The addict begins lying and getting upset when stopped and questioned about his whereabouts at this particular time. Eventually all social gatherings are centered on this very act of consuming alcohol.

The alcoholism signs which most affects the life of the addict is the change in nature brought about by this substance abuse. The alcoholic becomes aggressive and gets offended by small things which were at one time taken in light spirit by him. Spirit is the word and substance which causes these aggressive and reckless behavioral alcoholism signs. The family starts suffering causing fights and disturbances at home, this makes matters worse. To escape from these domestic tensions the alcoholic turns to the bottle for support.

The physical alcoholism signs like blood shot eyes, swollen face, tremors and slurred speech helps one identify an alcoholic. They start keeping alcohol at the most unlikely places at office or home and are disinterested in almost everything else in life. Loss of appetite, liver problems, gastric acidity and pancreatitis can all cause physical discomfort and pain to the addict. Eventually there is withdrawal early in the morning and the alcoholic needs a drink first thing in the morning, this is one of the most serious signs of alcoholism.

Need for the body to have a drink first thing in the morning indicates the degree of dependency of the body on alcohol. If the body doesn't get alcohol at regular intervals the person goes into withdrawal. The signs and symptoms of withdrawal are as serious as those of chronic alcoholism and need to be treated. When de-addiction treatment is started the first thing done is treating the withdrawal, when the signs of withdrawal are taken care of its easy for the addict to stop drinking.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

What is Ethyl Alcohol?

Ethyl alcohol is made by fermentation, a process in which yeast fungus feeds on starches and/or sugars in various grains (such as barley, rice, or hops) or fruits (such as apricots and grapes) and releases alcohol along with carbon dioxide (CO2).

Ethyl alcohol is depressant drug and not a stimulant as perceived by many people. Perhaps this fact helps explain why so many people exhibit alcoholism and depression at the same time. As a side note, when an individual manifests both alcoholism and depression, it is important for him or her to get medical treatment for both medical conditions.

The amount of alcohol in drinks differs greatly depending on the type of drink that is ingested. For instance, whereas wine and beer usually have an alcohol content somewhere between 5% and 15%, hard liquor, conversely, frequently has an alcohol content of 40% and can go as high as 90% or 95%.

From the least expensive beer to the most expensive after dinner wine or liqueur, all alcoholic beverages are made from the same fermentation process. The different colors, tastes, flavors, and strengths, nonetheless, come from the variety of fruits and vegetables that are utilized as well as from the diluting substances, by-products, and additives used in the fermentation process.

When a person drinks an alcoholic beverage, approximately 80 percent of the alcohol is absorbed in the small intestines as compared to the 20 percent that is absorbed in the stomach. The amount of alcohol, whether the stomach is empty or full, and the type of drink determine the speed at which the alcohol is absorbed.

After the alcohol is absorbed into the tissues, it affects a person's body and his or her mind. In addition, it commonly takes roughly 20 minutes after having an alcoholic drink for an individual's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level to rise. After the alcohol is fully absorbed by the stomach and by the small intestines, it leaves the body in three ways: via the kidneys, the liver, and via the lungs.