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Effects of Alcoholism on the Nervous System

Damage to the nervous system in alcoholics has been recognized for many years. Some of the possible neurological effects of alcoholism include: · Development of diseases caused by vitamin B deficiencies (alcoholic polyneuropathy and Wernicke's hemorrhagic encephalopathy). Impairment of overall mental functioning. Some of the ancient physicians recognized an impairment of overall mental functioning in those who drank excessively and recent brain cell studies suggest that an alcoholic literally kills off brain cells at a more rapid pace than normal. If one destroys brain cells rapidly enough and for a long enough period of time, eventually the "cell bank" of reserves will be depleted, and the subject will begin to show impaired mental functioning. This appears to be the sequence of events observed in the EEG tracings and clinical observations of alcoholics.

Effects of Alcoholism on the Gastrointestinal System

The gastrointestinal system is prominent among the organ systems damaged by alcohol. We may see fatal ulcer problems (e.g., bleeding or perforated ulcers), fatal pancreas problems (e.g., acute pancreatitis) or an increased incidence of carcinoma of the esophagus. However, by all accounts, the liver is the organ deserving the most attention when we discuss alcoholic damage to the GI system.

Alcoholism affects the liver by beginning a vicious cycle called cirrhosis of the liver. In the first step of cirrhosis, the liver cells become injured and accumulate tiny droplets of fat ("fatty infiltration" or "fatty degeneration"). As more and more cells suffer fatty infiltration, the liver becomes enlarged. If the alcohol addiction cycle continues, scar formation occurs with constriction of the scar producing more scar formation, until the process becomes irreversible. As cirrhosis of the liver progresses, the alcoholic faces more and more severe health problems including: · build-up of "poisons" in the bloodstream (ammonia and bilirubin) · accumulation of estrogen in the bloodstream and possible impotence · development of low levels of prothrombin resulting in bleeding and bruising tendencies · development of esophageal varix · swelling of ankles and legs · development of ascites (a "pot belly" full of fluid) · eventual death.

How Does Alcoholism Develop

A number of investigators have confirmed that there is an easily recognizable time-ordered sequence of drinking symptoms that takes place in the typical alcoholic. This progression is a remarkably rigid step-by-step pattern in which one phase merges almost imperceptibly into the next, often taking months or years to go from one step to the next. The progression occurs in the same form in people of high or low I.Q., great or little education, and in any station in life.

The Progression Of Drinking Systems

Social Drinking Once a week Drinking faster than associates Drinking more than associates Doubles Memory blackouts More drunk than associates	} Developmental Zone
Loss of control Weekends Protects supply Before breakfast Solitary drinking Tremors Decreased tolerance	} Zone of Overt Alcoholism
Delirium Tremens Vague fears Sleeplessness Avitaminosis Death	} Zone of Deterioration

Detoxification Treatment for Alcoholism Rehabilitation

Executive Recovery objective during medical detoxification** treatment is to provide the patient with a safe, comfortable transition through the withdrawal period. Physicians certified in addiction medicine, direct Executive Recovery alcohol detoxification treatment. Registered Nurses, with many years of training and experience, provide compassionate and supportive care for patients using safe detoxification techniques aimed at diminishing the discomfort of withdrawal. These include the administration of medications to counteract the uncomfortable symptoms, attention to nutritional repair, evaluation of any other medical problems the patient has, and assessment of ongoing needs that the patient may have following alcohol detoxification.

** Detoxification is the process of monitoring and administering medical care to a person experiencing alcohol or other drug withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms vary from being merely very uncomfortable to being life threatening.

*Based on results of a verified, independent survey of former patients (success being measured as total abstinence for one year and assessed by self-evaluation) as against published success rates from verified, comparable studies of other medical institutions.

At Executive Recovery alcoholism is viewed as a physical disease which can be medically treated. Alcoholism is not a mental or moral problem or a disgrace.