PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS


What is alcohol dependence / alcoholism?

       Alcohol is a drug in liquid form, whose consumption leads to long physical and psychological dependence. Alcoholism is a conscious or not manifestation , of which a individual seeks to satisfy the need to consume alcohol regardless of means or consequences, to avoid withdrawal or uncomfortable psychological stages. Consumption is determined by physical and psychic dependence.
      Alcoholism is a primary, chronicle disease, influenced in its development by manifestations of genetic factors, psycho-social and the environment. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by loss of control over alcohol consumption, constant or periodic, concern over alcohol, consumption of alcohol despite adverse consequences and disturbances of thought, the most important being the denial.

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       Adverse consequences are alcohol-related problems or losses that appear in various fields such as physical health (eg: withdrawal syndrome, liver disease, gastritis, anemia, neurological dysfunction), psychological activity (eg: loss of consciousness, changes in behavior and disposition); relational activity (eg: problems in marriage and child abuse, impaired social relationships), occupational activity (eg: problems related to school or work) and legal problems, financial or spiritual.

      Denial is used here not only for the purposes of a psychoanalytic unique defense mechanism and of denial of the significance of events, but in a larger sense that includes a series of maneuvers designed to reduce awareness of the fact that in fact alcohol consumption represent the cause of a man’s problems and not the answer to these problems. Denial becomes an integral part of the disease and a major obstacle to recovery.

      Who is addicted to alcohol?  It is dependent on alcohol the one who consumes alcohol repeatedly and can not stop consumption without undergoing unpleasant physical or mental stages.

      Various reasons of alcohol consumption:

      Consumption of alcohol is a quick and pleasant way to change emotions, feelings, general states. In general one resorts to alcohol consumption when it appears fear for something, awaiting a nice thing (ceremony, celebration), in anticipation of something unpleasant, fearful.

      Other reasons often cited by consumers are: anger, joy, aggression, loneliness burden or psychological burden of responsibility, joy, improving relations with others, socializing, chasing temporary stress, defense against unpleasant feelings, the courage to say something, temporary sexual stimulation, reward wish, pleasure.

      The effects of alcoholism on the body

      Seneca (4.BC. - 65 AD) described alcoholism as being pure insanity which lets any weakness to be revealed . Being drunk makes you crueler, your mind’s sanity degrades continuously and you become uninterested and superficial.

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      Effects of alcohol on the brain and nervous system and psyche:

      Nerve cells are not regenerable. At every consumption of alcohol are destroyed thousands of nerve cells. Progressive destruction of neurons is observed over time, especially those close to alcoholics. This reduction in the number of neurons causes reduced brain performance and visible decrease in storage capacity (memory gaps occur), the capacity of thought, understanding, loss of the critical sense and discernment. The abuse can cause damage over time to the brain, reach organic psycho syndromes, convulsions, delirium tremens or dementia.

      From a psychological point of view, alcohol addicts show an emotional coldness, a gradual change of sentiment, frequent indispositions and sudden changes of opinion.

      It can occur:
- Inner restlessness, aggression, irritability;
- Sleep disturbances, nightmares;
- Gaps of memory (can no longer remember what happened two hours or two days ago); - Depression, fear, inferiority complex, sometimes hidden behind the facades of megalomania;
- Lack of will, promises but never holds its promise;
- Isolation and reduced areas of interest;
- Lack of hygiene, physical and mental decline;

      Effects of alcohol on social life

      Alcohol dependence causes in time disturbing of interpersonal relationships, reduces the feelings of responsibility, neglect children education, delay and absence from work, accidents at work and in traffic, delinquency, divorce, loss of home and workplace.