Alcoholism is a disease that affects all aspects of a person’s life. In fact, if you were to combine diabetes, lung cancer, breast cancer, and heart attacks, it would still not affect as many people as alcoholism does in society today. A sobering fact is that over 12,000 people die each year from cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcohol. Alcoholism can be treated successfully and this resource guide will provide information on steps that can be taken to combat the disease. It will cover the long term effects – physical, psychiatric, social- and provide links to further information. It will cover topics such as treatment options available, list some interventions, and list some treatment centers.

Long Term Effects of Alcoholism

The long term effects of alcoholism are devastating to the individual and to people around them. It effects a person physically by damaging vital organs and disrupting normal body functions. Alcoholism has been shown to effect a person emotionally through depression and anxiety. Beyond these emotional effects, it also causes problems socially which negatively impacts relationships, both professional and personal.

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – A complete guide that gives characteristics of alcohol abuse. It includes common misconceptions, biological and behavioral effects, and some consequences of alcohol abuse.

• Guide for Teens – A website that discusses the overall short and long term effects of alcohol.

• Drug Awareness – Article that discusses what alcohol is and the short term effect, long term effect, and some of the health consequences.

• Center for Substance Abuse Research – A detailed website that discusses the short and long term effects of alcohol, common health problems associated with alcoholism, and lists some warning signs of alcoholism.

• Office of Alcohol and Drug Education – A website provided by the University of Notre Dame that provides information on how alcohol affects the body. It gives information on the immediate, short and long term effects of alcohol use.

• World Health Organization PDF – A paper by WHO that details the health and social effects of alcohol abuse and how the disease is a global problem.

Physical

Alcoholism disrupts a person’s brain activity and causes an overall decrease in brain mass. Excessive drinking over a long period of time kills brain cells. It also raises blood pressure which can cause increased risk of heart disease and heart attack. Research shows that the long term effect of alcoholism causes extreme damage to the liver.

• PDF – A paper that details the effects of alcohol on the physiological processes and the individual’s biological development.

• College Drinking – A website that provides information on how alcohol effects the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, stomach, kidneys, and lungs.

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – A detailed discussion on alcohol’s damaging effects on the brain.

• American Cancer Society – A website from the ACS that provides information on alcohol use and cancer. The site provides information on types of cancer linked to alcohol use, how alcohol raises cancer risk, and what they recommend.

• Emory University – An article that describes a study that seeks to understand the long term effect of drinking and how it is dangerous to the lungs.

• The University Health Center – A comprehensive study conducted by the University of Georgia on how alcohol affects athletic performance and the consequences of exercising with an elevated blood alcohol level.

• University of Rochester – An article by the University Health Service on understanding blood alcohol content.

• The Michigan Daily – A website that outlines a study done by Michigan University and Washington University that found evidence that women suffer greater effects from alcoholism than men.

Psychiatric

The psychiatric effects of alcoholism are just as devastating as the physical effects. People who suffer from alcoholism are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. Heavy, long term usage of alcohol severely affects a person’s ability to study and pay attention. Many treatment centers will have a dual diagnosis that will deal with the disease of alcoholism and the psychiatric effects that can accompany it.

• Partners in Prevention – A website that provides information on the effect alcoholism has on sex and the reproductive system, attention and study skills, immune system, gastrointestinal system, circulatory system, and skeletal-muscular system.

• Oregon Counseling – A site that provides information from a clinical psychologist on the biological impacts of alcohol use.

• Alcohol Answers – An educational site providing information on the emotional effect alcoholism causes for children with alcohol dependent parents.

• Alcohol Abuse and Dependence – A resource from the USDA that covers topics such as abuse vs. dependence, warning signs of alcoholism, workplace indicators, security concerns, and information on treatment and other sources of information.

• Alcohols Effect on Children PDF – A research paper by the University of Hawaii that provides a detailed study on the psychological characteristics of children of alcoholics.

Social Effects

The social effects of alcoholism can not be overstated. Alcoholics are 30 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population. Alcoholism has led families to be split and jobs to be lost. Studies show that drinking in the workplace causes severe accidents. It is estimated that close to 50 percent of all highway accidents are related to alcohol.

• Basic Information PDF – A resource by the state of Indiana about the effects of alcohol on a person’s health, work, and personal life.

• Virginia Tech – A fact sheet from Virginia Tech that details the effect different blood alcohol levels have on an individual’s feelings and personality. It also provides information on the physical and mental impairments that come with higher concentrations of blood alcohol levels.

• Alcohol Treatment – A website that provides information on the social, emotional, and financial effects of alcoholism.

• Alcoholics Victorious – A quick reference fact sheet on the impact that alcohol abuse has on the American society especially when it comes to traffic fatalities, violent crimes, increased cost of health care, and effect of alcohol on babies.

• Social Issues Research Centre – A website that provides information on the social and cultural aspects of drinking.

Alcohol Withdrawal

A person who has been drinking over an extended period of time and then stops may suffer from alcohol withdrawal. A heavy drinker is more likely to develop symptoms that are associated with withdrawal. There are varied treatment and intervention options available to help deal with alcohol withdrawal. Differing treatment options can meet the specific individualized needs of different persons and can range from one-on-one therapy to group therapy.

• Medline Plus – A website sponsored by the National Institute of Health that explains alcohol withdrawal. It covers causes, symptoms, exams and tests, treatment, and prognosis of alcohol withdrawal.

• Pathways – A resource guide provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that covers alcohol withdrawal, gives some factors affecting the symptoms, provides information on signs and symptoms, and describes evaluation and treatment methods.

• Health Encyclopedia – A resource site maintained by the state of Florida that provides information on alcohol withdrawal. The site defines what it means, gives causes and risk factors, as well as a list of common symptoms. The site contains information on exams, tests and treatment options as well.

• JNNP Online PDF – A paper published in conjunction with St. Johns University that goes into great detail about alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). Discusses common management of problems of AWS as it relates to patients with severe symptoms or a history of adverse outcomes.

Treatment

Getting treatment can be the difference between life and death. Oftentimes, treatment can focus on behavioral therapy as well as medication. The main objective of treatment is to get the person to stop drinking. It also can serve to reduce withdrawal symptoms that will help the individual manage the disease.

• UMMC – A website sponsored by the University of Maryland Medical Center that gives details about treatment for alcohol withdrawal. The site focuses on treatment of withdrawal symptoms.

• Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal – An article from the faculty of the University of Iowa that provides information on alcohol withdrawal, discusses major withdrawal signs, management of alcohol withdrawal as it pertains to delirium tremens and seizures.

• National Institute on Drug Abuse – A website that gives information on different treatment approaches for addiction.

• Help Guide – Information on alcohol addiction treatment and self-help. The site gives steps to take to stop drinking and provides additional resources to seek for further help.

Interventions

Most alcoholics do not believe that they have a problem. In most cases the situation will not improve because of the fact that the person has changed and does not believe that alcohol is the problem. Working with a knowledgeable professional that deals with intervention can make a vital difference when it comes to getting the addict on track to recovery. Here are some links that will provide more information on what intervention is and how it is done.

• Al-Anon – Home to the Al-Anon Family Group that provides resources and information to families and friends of alcoholics.

• Harvard Health – A site provided by Harvard Medical School that gives information on how brief intervention can help combat alcohol abuse.

• AAFP – Information provided by the American Academy of Family Physicians and conducted by the University of Texas Health Science Center that covers the recognition and intervention of alcohol related problems.

• Alcoholism Intervention – A website that describes and defines what alcohol intervention is and how to use it.

• Drug Strategies – This site details how intervention works and provides a state resource listing of treatment centers and meetings.

• The Phoenix Center – An alcohol intervention program for the ages of 16 – 20 located in Greenville, South Carolina. The program consists of an eight hour class that meets weekly.

Types of Treatment

When it comes to treatment options available, there are numerous kinds. Some treatments can be purely individualistic, and others can be more group centered. Different treatment options can be tailored to meet the needs of the addict. At times residential treatment may be called for and other times out-patient services may be required.

• AA – Alcoholics Anonymous site that provides information about AA, covers the 12 step program, and can be used to find support groups in specific areas.

• SMART Recovery – This is the official website of Self-Management and Recovery Training, or SMART. The program is geared to empower individuals to abstain from alcohol through self-empowerment and self-directed change.

Treatment Centers

There are many different treatment centers that help people who suffer from alcoholism. While the main focus is on the addict, many centers also provide care and services to family members to help them cope with the disease. Most facilities are sprawled over well-manicured land that can be on the ocean, mountainside, or other picturesque places. These treatment centers have made a vital difference in the fight against this disease.

• Betty Ford Center – A well known drug and alcohol treatment center based in California.

• Cumberland Heights – A treatment center near Nashville, Tennessee, that provides both in-patient and out-patient services for individuals. The center also has programs for family members.

• Beachway Therapy Center – A private facility located in Florida. The treatment center tailors an individual treatment plan to each person and provides weekly treatment sessions to equip clients with the knowledge to deal with all the underlying issues that arise from alcoholism.

• Mountainside – A center located in Connecticut that provides intermediate and long term treatment. It also provides family wellness programs and continuing care.

• Williamsville Wellness – A treatment facility located in Virginia that provides individual treatment plans, one-on-one counseling, and family involvement.

• Pavillon – Located in the mountains of Western North Carolina, the treatment center specializes in treating addiction and related disorders like depression and anxiety.

• Hazelden – A treatment facility with multiple U.S. locations. They provide alcohol rehab, professional education, addiction research, prevention curriculum development, addiction awareness and public policy advocacy.

• LaPaloma Treatment Center – Located in Memphis, TN this is a dual diagnosis program that uses a motivational interview method for treatment, instead of the more typical confrontational style .

• Drug-Rehab – A non-profit drug and alcohol rehab referral and placement service. It provides a complete state resource list of rehab centers.

• Memorial Hermann – An award-winning drug and alcohol abuse treatment center for adults and teens located in Houston, TX.

• Serenity Lane – This treatment facility has 10 locations throughout Oregon and Washington. It offers inpatient, residential, and outpatient services.