A group of mental disorders that includes alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, alcohol intoxication, alcohol withdrawal, alcohol intoxication delirium, alcohol withdrawal delirium, alcohol-induced persisting dementia, alcohol-induced persisting amnestic disorder, alcohol-induced psychotic disder, alcohol-induced mood disorder, alcohol-induced anxiety disorder, alcohol-induced sleep disorder, and alcohol-induced sexual dysfunction.
Heavy and prolonged consumption of alcohol is associated with a wide range of physical and mental disorders.
Excessive alcohol consumption significantly elevates the risk of various cancers, including those affecting the mouth, tongue, throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), and gullet (esophagus), particularly when combined with smoking. Alcohol-dependent individuals are more susceptible to liver diseases such as liver cancer, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Additionally, high alcohol intake increases the likelihood of developing cardiomyopathy (a heart muscle disorder), hypertension (high blood pressure), and stroke. Alcohol can irritate the digestive tract, potentially leading to gastritis. Heavy drinking during pregnancy heightens the risk of miscarriage and fetal alcohol syndrome. Problematic alcohol consumption is associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing anxiety, depression, and developing dementia.
Many individuals who struggle with alcohol misuse often maintain an inadequate dietary intake, rendering them susceptible to health conditions resulting from insufficient nourishment, specifically the deficiency of thiamine. Profound insufficiency of thiamine disrupts the functionality of nerves, giving rise to muscular contractions, loss of sensation, and debility in the lower limbs and extremities. The impact on the cognitive faculties can lead to perplexity, impairment in communication and coordination, and ultimately, a state of unconsciousness (referred to as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome). Moreover, a severe deficiency of thiamine can contribute to cardiac insufficiency, leading to a decrease in the efficiency of the heart’s pumping action.
Sustained and excessive alcohol concentration in the bloodstream and bodily tissues can disrupt the delicate chemical equilibrium within the body, leading to the occurrence of hypoglycemia (abnormally low levels of blood glucose) and hyperlipidemia (elevated levels of blood fats). These detrimental conditions have the potential to inflict harm upon vital organs such as the heart, liver, blood vessels, and brain. It is crucial to note that the resultant damage, once incurred, may be irreversible and can ultimately contribute to untimely mortality.