Alcoholism is also know as alcohol addiction or alcohol dependence and has devastating effects on individuals body, mind and spirit. Alcohol is one of the most commonly used, legal drugs that effects the body physically, but it also can change the way the brain works, and how it processes information and emotions. The effects of alcohol on a person suffering from an alcohol addiction can include damage to vital organs such as the brain and the liver, and can also be fatal.
Alcohol abuse has been attributed to the cause of almost 50 percent of accidents, suicides, and violent crimes. Addiction to alcohol can also cause a number of health problems, including heart and liver diseases, cancer, and brain damage. Studies on alcoholism have shown that not only is the substance dangerous and addictive, but that it almost always results in loss of life when it is not treated by professionals who understand addiction and alcoholism.
Family history can play a big part in the contributing factors of alcoholism and studies have shown that children of alcoholic parents have a higher rate of alcoholism in their futures. The same studies have shown that emotional instability and psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety can also contribute to alcoholism, since many seek alcohol as a relief of emotional pain in their lives.
