| Alcohol addiction has wide-ranging effects that | | | | about behavioral changes. This is done by various |
| encompass all aspects of the addict's life. Some of the | | | | therapeutic treatments ranging from medications to |
| potential effects of alcohol addiction could include: | | | | psychotherapy. |
| Physical effects - Pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, | | | | Antabuse and Natltrexone are two of the commonly |
| insulin resistance, alcoholic dementia, nutritional | | | | used medications in the treatment of alcohol addiction. |
| deficiencies, heart disease and in extreme cases; | | | | Antabuse works by creating an adverse reaction |
| death. | | | | when alcohol is ingested and Natltrexone decreases |
| Economic effects - Loss of employment and the | | | | the physical cravings of alcohol. Long term use of |
| subsequent financial problems that follow as a result. | | | | folate and vitamin B12 are often recommended to help |
| Social effects - Social alienation due to unacceptable | | | | overcome the damaging effects of chronic alcohol use |
| social behavior, marital conflict and divorce. | | | | on the liver. |
| Legal consequences - Alcohol addicts often get into | | | | Alcohol addicts can face a lifelong struggle in their |
| trouble with the law either because of public disorder | | | | effort to stay sober and relapse is a strong possibility |
| or because of drunk driving. | | | | on the long road to sobriety. Unlike drug addiction, |
| Alcohol addiction affects not only the addict but also | | | | where it is often more difficult to obtain the drugs, |
| the addict's entire family who could experience | | | | alcohol is easily available and it is easier for a |
| consequences that range from neglect to domestic | | | | recovering addict to fall back into the habit of alcohol |
| violence to spouse and children. | | | | abuse. Often even one drink at a social occasion can |
| Alcohol Treatment | | | | trigger off the addiction. Several professionals hold the |
| Abruptly discontinuing the use of alcohol could result in | | | | view that relapse is part of the learning process and is |
| severe symptoms including convulsions, hallucinations, | | | | something that an addict has to go through to finally |
| seizures and shakes. In severe cases it could cause | | | | attain full abstinence from their addiction. |
| heart failure and even death. Because of the critical | | | | Social support and life training offer recovering addicts |
| nature of the symptoms, it is recommended that | | | | much needed support and are indispensable |
| withdrawal issues should necessarily be controlled by a | | | | components of alcohol addiction treatment. Alcoholics |
| supervised detox. | | | | Anonymous is one such organization that is committed |
| Treatment for cessation of alcohol abuse typically | | | | to helping alcoholics beat their addiction and lead |
| includes managing the physical symptoms and bringing | | | | normal lives. |