Alcoholism: the Symptoms and Effects of the Disease

An Alcoholic is defined as someone who shows three of the seven symptoms of alcoholism within a twelve month period. In most cases of alcoholism, the person has a family member that is also an alcoholic; this is because alcoholism is genetic. The short term effects of alcoholism are premature deaths due to organ complications involving the brain, liver, heart and other organs as well as over doses, suicides, homicides, and car accidents. The long term effects of drinking can lead to problems with the digestive system such as an ulcer, inflammation of the pancreas, cirrhosis of the liver, serious problems from physical and nutritional neglect, such as anemia and gastritis, central and peripheral nervous system damage. An alcoholic is someone who shows three or more symptoms of alcoholism and usually has suffered from some of the long and short-term effects of being an alcoholic.…