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Alcohol addiction or alcoholism can be defined as a compulsive requirement for an intoxicating drink that is derived from a fruit or fermented grain. The drink may be anything from wine, beer, whiskey or rum.

Intake of alcohol becomes addiction when a person craves for consumption of alcohol & is unable to limit the drink. A person can be termed as alcoholic if he or she experiences, certain withdrawal symptoms like sweating, anxiety, nausea. A person can also be called an alcoholic if he wants to have greater amounts of alcohol to experience a high.

Most people think that having a strong will to stop drinking is enough to give up alcohol. However, the process is quite complicating. When a process becomes alcoholic, the craving is so great that it actually suppresses the ability to stop consuming. Most alcoholic requires adept assistance to give up alcoholism.

There are several causes that lead to alcoholism. People may be forced to have alcohol due to the environment they live in or the traumatic experiences they have in their lives.

Alcoholism has a lot of bad effects of the individual. It can lead to some serious trouble. It can also be physically & mentally destructive. Most of the crimes, suicides, accidental deaths & murders are committed under the influence of alcohol.

Several health problems are associated with the use of alcohol such as cancer, diseases of the liver, brain damage, cancer & heart diseases. An alcoholic who does not give up alcohol may reduce his life expectancy by 10 to 15 years.

Here are some of the ill effects of alcohol on health:

a) Excess intake of alcohol can destroy brain cells & ultimately lead to brain damage.

b) Alcohol works towards disturbing the overall structure & function of the central nervous system. It hinders the ability to consolidate, retrieve & process information.

c) Consuming alcohol in moderate amounts can put great effect on cognitive abilities.

d) Consumption of alcohol in large amounts interfere the process of oxygen supply of the brain & causes a blackout under the stage of fully drunk.

e) Addiction of alcohol may result in inflammation of the mouth, stomach & esophagus. It can also result in cancers of stomach, mouth & esophagus.

f) Drinking alcohol in large amounts may result in irregular heartbeats. The addict can also experience a greater risk of high blood pressure, heart damage & heart attack.

g) Intake of alcohol interferes in vision & disrupts sexual function. It also reduces circulation, increases the chances for malnutrition & excessive water retention.

h) The addict may also a suffer from slurred speech, lack of coordination, impaired attention, impaired judgment, unsteady when walking or standing & lack of sleep.

Here are some symptoms of alcohol addiction:

a) The patient develops a sense of compulsion to drink.

b) The addict may choose to drink soon after walking in order to reduce alcohol withdrawal feeling.

c) An alcohol addict tends to develop a reduced ability to control over drinking.

d) The addict usually organizes his lifestyle around drinking.

One cannot overcome alcohol addiction alone. The addict requires good assistance from others in order to find recovery. Most people seek counseling & visit rehab centers to get rid of alcoholism.