The Pathophysiology Of Alcohol Abuse And Addiction

The pathophysiology of alcoholism begins after alcohol the ingestion of alcohol. It is absorbed and unaltered through the stomach and intestines. Next it is distributed throughout the body through the blood and absorbed by all tissues and fluids (Huether, 2012, p. 72). Furthermore, in the liver the alcohol blood content is metabolized into acetaldehyde by the enzymes process of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system (MEOS), and catalase (Huether & McCance, 2012). Next, the metabolizing effects the central nervous system (CNS) and exhibits a depressant action. It is first expressed in the subcortical structures of the brain. This has an effect of disorientation of motor skills and intellect. With an increase in blood alcohol concentration, the medullary centers become depressed and as a result affects respiration (Huether & McCance, 2012). In addition, the effects of alcoholism encourage hepatic and gastric changes. The hepatic effect is caused by acetaldehyde, in which, induces inflammation, fatty deposits and enlargement of the liver (Huether & McCance, 2012).

While consumption of alcohol is a socially acceptable practice in our society, issues arise when abuse occurs. Donatelle and Thompson (2011) define alcohol abuse as the "excessive consumption or a level of consumption that interferes with work, school, or social and family relationships" (256). As with other drug addictions, this abuse is disruptive to the alcohol abusers life as well as to those close to them. Moreover, alcohol abuse is accompanied by many devastating effects for all demographics. The harms associated with the misuse and abuse of alcohol includes: harm to oneself, negative effects on friendships and social life, and negative affects to physical

Alcohol Use Disorder, most commonly known as Alcohol Abuse or Alcohol Dependence, is widely known as problem that occurs with individuals who consumes an enormous amount of alcohol on a regular basis often in a single use. The individual is consumed with the thought of drinking most of the time and often feel as though they need it to continue with living their daily lives, even though, they are not really living at all because the enormous amount of alcohol causes a dysfunction for their daily tasks. It inhibits their ability to take care of their family, have social relationships and performing activities at work. It is believed that genetics can play a massive role towards an individual developing an Alcohol Use Disorder.

As state in our class notes, “All drugs impact the nervous system and specific neurotransmitters; additionally, whenever alcohol is ingested, the neurotransmitter dopamine is initially released. Dopamine provides a feeling of euphoria as it is release into the nucleus accumbens. Next, alcohol looks for a specific receptor site to bind to. It is displacing the neurotransmitter which binds to the receptor site. Alcohol enhances the inhibitory effects of the neurotransmitter GABA by mimicking it causing sluggishness.” (class notes) Alcohol can alter the limbic system such as the orbitofrontal cortex. It is a part of the

It is generally accepted that alcohol affects the nerve cell by preventing the production and propagation of electric impulses along a network consisting of axons and synapses. The brain functions much as an electronic system in which one nerve cell, acting as a current generator, communicates information to many other cells, which in turn receive impulses from many other areas. Some impulses are enhanced, others are blunted. Memory and conditioning appear to play an important role in integrating the impulses which are finally expressed as behaviors. Studies in the United States and England have shown that when alcohol becomes dissolved in the membrane of the cells, it fluidizes or disorganizes the membrane, which in turn leads to changes in the physical and biochemical characteristics of the latter. Chronic exposure to alcohol alters the composition of the membrane and its rigidity, so that alcohol

At the beginning of the 21st century, it was estimated that the annual number of deaths related to excessive drinking exceeded 100,000 in the United States alone (“Alcoholism”). In fact, in 1995, 140 million Americans were using alcohol is an abusing way (Ammerman, Ott, and Tarter). “It is a chronic and progressive illness that involves the excessive inappropriate ingestion of ethyl alcohol” (“Alcoholism”). Equally, it can be characterized as an emotional and many times, physical dependence on alcohol. It is thought to come from a combination of a wide range of physiological, social, and genetic factors (“Alcoholism”). Even

One of the growing epidemics of young adults in the United States is the dependence and/or abuse of alcohol, which is commonly referred to as alcoholism. The condition is described by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V, as an alcohol use disorder (AUD), a type of substance abuse disorder, which encompasses both alcohol abuse and dependence. More specifically AUD is defined as, “medical conditions that doctors can diagnose when a patient’s drinking causes distress or harm (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2007).” When the reliance or use of alcohol interferes with daily functioning, or causes greater harm to the one’s self, it can then be looked at as a disorder. According to the DSM-V, patients

The term “alcoholism” describes a drinker who is mentally and physically dependent on alcohol, and who would most likely have withdrawal symptoms upon trying to quit. This dependence prevents most alcoholics from being able to control when they drink and how much they drink. For that reason, alcoholics usually drink to excess despite the consequences. Alcoholism, like any addiction, is a chronic disorder which involves continued use despite negative consequences and requires ongoing treatment and management. This research paper will cover many aspects of alcoholism including the causes and effects of drinking and different treatment approaches.

Most of us have witnessed the effects of alcohol, whether it be slurring words, lack of balance, or lack of judgement. These physical signs occur due to the effect of alcohol in our brains and central nervous system. Although many of us have witnessed or experienced effects of alcohol, very few of us have knowledge of what exactly is happening to our body and brain when consuming alcohol. It has always been evident that alcohol has an effect on the brain, which can in turn impair the behavior and thinking processes of individuals. However, most of society is unaware of the chemical reaction that is occurring within their body and brains every time they consume alcohol. Alcohol affects brain chemistry by the altering levels of neurotransmitters. Alcohol increases the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitters GABA in the brain, causing slower or sluggish movements and slurred speech that is a common occurrence with

Alcoholic beverages are served in many restaurants, sold in many stores, and acceptably consumed in many populations. Although alcohol can become a drug of abuse, not many view it that way. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2014), about 7.2% of adults in the United States ages 18 and over have an alcohol use disorder. A variety of environmental and genetic factors contribute to the development of alcohol addiction. The variability in the causes of alcohol addiction generates variability in the response to treatment. However, what is common among all alcohol addictions is the high risk of relapse. This risk is potentially caused by the lasting changes in the brain that occur when voluntary alcohol use becomes an addiction. The neural changes that are a result of an alcohol addiction potentially put a recovered alcoholic at high risk of relapse until these circuits can be erased and replaced with healthier circuits.

Alcoholic beverages can contain up to 40% ethanol and have been consumed by humans for thousands of years. Its relaxant and euphoric effects on the brain can lead to a change in consciousness, mood, and emotions.(1) Alcohol has long been known for its psychoactive effect, but it being so readily available in our modern world has lead to chronic use and abuse of the substance. Alcohol increases the risk of various terminal diseases and is the cause of many accidents and injuries. This substance is very disruptive to the human body and particularly to the human brain. Due to this, scientists have collectively studied its neurophysiological and long-term effects on the brain. Recent studies have shown many correlations between alcoholism and affected

The effects associated with alcohol are produced by the ethanol in the alcohol. The severity of these effects is reflected by the concentration of alcohol in an individual’s blood, which is dictated by the amount of alcohol ingested, the volume of blood, the individual’s metabolism, and amount of time since ingestion. In large doses, alcohol acts as a depressant of the central nervous-system. A blood alcohol level of 0.1% affects some of the motor areas of the brain associated with speech, balance and manual dexterity. A blood alcohol level of 0.2% depresses all motor functions and the area concerned with emotions is depressed. At a blood alcohol level of 0.45% the entire section of the brain that handles perception is depressed and the individual becomes comatose. At a blood alcohol level of 0.7% the parts of the brain that control the heartbeat and breathing are depressed and the individual

Alcohol is a drug, just like any other type of drug it affects it affects the central nervous system (CNS). According to Banerjee (2014), “Alcohol interacts with several neurotransmitter system in the brain’s reward and stress circuit. These neural circuits include the dopaminergic, serotonergic, glutamatergic and GABaergic neural circuits. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter primarily involved in a circuit called the mesolimbic system, this circuit affects incentive motivation, how an organism reacts to incentive changes in the environment.” (p.22). Dopamine plays a key role in our reinforcement and motivational behavior, and it also an important neurotransmitter involved in reward mechanism in the brain. Chastain (2006) states, “ administration

Alcohol dependence is known to be the most severe form of alcohol abuse. A person becomes so dependent on alcohol consumption that he/she loses sight of all the other important things going on around him/her. Family matters and social responsibilities become secondary worries to his/her primary concern for existence, which is drinking (Stephens, 2007). Nearly fourteen million Americans are somewhat dependent on alcohol. Alcohol dependence is more prominent in men, and young adults ages 18-29 (Stephens, 2007). According to a study done by Saitz “85,000 deaths, along with substantial disability from medical and psychiatric consequences, injuries and “secondhand” effects (ex: motor vehicle crashes) are attributed to the use of alcohol” (Saitz, 2005).

Its use, abuse and dependence are the main behavioral categories related to alcohol consumption. The article specifies that behavioral and psychological changes occur in the central nervous system with alcohol intoxication. These changes can occur very soon after alcohol is ingested and it does not take much to cause even the slightest effect. Several types of behavioral changes which can occur include such examples as the reduction of anxiety, changes in mood, excitability, impaired judgment, and sleepiness.