Post alcoholism and its social consequences. Alcoholism and its consequences for the human body

Almaty branch of a non-state educational institution of higher professional education

"St. Petersburg Humanitarian University of Trade Unions"

Faculty of Economics

Department of Economics and Management

Discipline: “Life Safety”

Title of work: “Alcoholism and its consequences”

Is done by a student

104 groups, 1st year

Correspondence department

Aleynikov R.A

Checked

Professor Nelidov S.N.

Almaty 2010

Introduction. 3

Chapter 1. The harmful effects of alcohol. 4

1.1 General toxic effect. 4

1.2 Somatic (bodily) complications. 5

Chapter 2. Mental and neurological complications under the influence of alcohol 11

Chapter 3. Concept and stages of alcoholism. Prevention and its types.. 16

Conclusion. 22

Alcoholism is a disease caused by the systematic consumption of alcoholic beverages, characterized by a pathological attraction to them, the development of mental (irresistible attraction) and physical dependence (the appearance of withdrawal syndrome when cessation of use). In cases of long-term progression, the disease is accompanied by persistent mental and somatic disorders. This problem has become especially relevant for our country in the last 5-6 years, when, in connection with political and economic reforms, the number of patients with this disease has increased sharply. According to VTsIOM, every Russian, including women and children, drinks 18 liters of vodka every year.

The following factors play a decisive role in the formation of alcohol dependence:

1) Social factors: cultural and material standard of living, stress, information overload, urbanization.

2) Biological: hereditary predisposition. According to Altshuller, up to 30% of children whose parents abused alcohol can become potential alcoholics.

3) Psychological: psycho-emotional characteristics of the individual, the ability to socially adapt and withstand stress.

In my opinion, the dominant factor due to which alcoholism has become widespread in the Russian Federation is the low ability of Russians to socially adapt during the transition from one system to another and the sharp change in the social status of the population.

1) Membrane-destroying effect. Ethyl alcohol disrupts the state of membranes, changing the structure of the bilipid layer, thereby changing their permeability, and grossly disrupts the transmembrane transport system.

2) Pathogenic effect of ethyl alcohol metabolism products:

After passing the blood-brain barrier, fusel oils and acetaldehyde enhance release, interact with dopamine and norepinephrine, producing a psychostimulant and hallucinogenic effect.

3) Change in metabolism:

Fat metabolism changes - lipogenesis and cholesterol synthesis are activated. The result is atherosclerosis, fatty liver.

The Krebs cycle is inhibited, gluconeogenesis is reduced, which contributes to hypoglycemia.

Protein synthesis is blocked, resulting in hypoproteinemia.

Effects on the central nervous system:

There are two phases of the effect of alcohol on the central nervous system:

1) The excitation phase is characterized by euphoria, a feeling of vigor and strength, disinhibition, and a decrease in self-criticism. During this phase, the metabolism of neurons in the cerebral cortex (CMC) is disrupted, the amount of serotonin decreases, the release of adrenaline, norepinephrine, and dopamine increases, which are actively metabolized during this stage;

2) The depression phase, euphoria gives way to dysphoria, the reason for this is a decrease in the metabolism of norepinephrine and dopamine, the increased concentration of which causes depression of the central nervous system and depression.

Mechanisms of development of alcohol dependence:

The mechanisms of development of alcohol dependence have not yet been fully deciphered. It was previously assumed that the formation of addiction is associated with changes in the ratios of chemicals in the brain. The decrease in the level of serotonin and morphine-like substances was seen as the main cause of withdrawal syndrome, which is a trigger for “self-stimulation” with alcohol.

However, in comparison with clinical experience, this theory was not fully confirmed: It would seem that with the introduction into practice of pharmacological drugs that normalize the content of serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, enkephalins and their receptors in brain tissue, the problem of treating alcoholism would have to be solved, but how Previously, the relapse rate of the disease remains high. As it turned out recently, in addition to changes in brain chemistry, changes occur in its electrical activity and morphology in formations related to the limbic system. And it is the combination of chemical, morphological and electrophysical changes that leads to the establishment of persistent alcohol dependence.

Effects on the reproductive system:

Alcohol undoubtedly has a harmful effect on the testicles and ovaries. At the same time, both frequent intoxication and systematic intake of significant quantities of alcohol are equally harmful. Under the influence of alcohol abuse, fatty degeneration of the seminiferous tubules and proliferation of connective tissue in the testicular parenchyma are observed in persons suffering from alcoholism.

Ethyl alcohol is a universal poison. There is not a single cell in the human body that alcohol does not damage when penetrating into it. All organs are affected, but some tissues - nervous and glandular, for example - are destroyed to a greater extent, since alcohol penetrates them more easily, and the cells of these systems are not adapted to process harmful substances.

Lesions of the digestive system.

Mouth - Changes begin in the oral cavity, where alcohol suppresses secretion and increases the viscosity of saliva. An alcoholic's teeth are destroyed for many reasons - suppression of the immune system, poor diet, and sloppiness.

Esophagus - Due to the fact that protective mechanisms are inhibited, alcoholic esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) develops. The swallowing process is disrupted - food begins to be thrown from the stomach into the esophagus. This is due to the effect of alcohol on the esophageal sphincters. Heartburn and vomiting are inevitable companions of an alcoholic. In case of chronic ethanol poisoning, the veins of the esophagus dilate (this is called varicose veins of the esophagus), their wall becomes thinner and there comes a moment when the veins burst during vomiting and severe bleeding begins. Only emergency surgery can save the patient in this case. But more often death occurs before the patient is taken to the surgeon.

Stomach - With alcoholism, the secretion of gastric juice decreases, the protective gel of the stomach walls undergoes changes, and an inflammatory process (gastritis) develops.

The result is atrophy of stomach cells, impaired digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, gastric bleeding, stomach ulcers and stomach cancer develop. Changes in the stomach are found in 95% of alcoholics. Intestines - With chronic alcohol consumption, the movement of food masses through the intestines slows down. Drinking alcohol damages the membranes and contents of intestinal cells. The destruction of the vessels of the intestinal walls occurs, and the blood supply to the villi responsible for absorption is disrupted. The absorption of beneficial substances and the release of harmful ones are disrupted, and metabolism is disrupted. Erosion forms on the intestinal walls (this is due to the fact that when the blood supply is disrupted, the pressure in small vessels increases and they burst). The intestinal villi gradually shorten. Beneficial microorganisms die - the inhabitants of the intestines that produce B vitamins. Gradually, as the vitamin depot (reserve of B vitamins) is depleted, vitamin deficiency occurs. Namely, vitamin deficiency is the main cause of severe nervous complications of alcoholism. The absorption of all microelements, in the metabolism of which vitamins are involved, is disrupted, and protein loss occurs. At the same time, harmful microorganisms multiply - the inhabitants of the intestines, using the beneficial substances of food for nutrition and poisoning the body with the products of their vital activity. Alcoholic enteritis (inflammation of the intestines) develops, the main manifestation of which is diarrhea. Pancreas - Systematic alcohol abuse depletes the secretory processes of the pancreas. Secretory cells are replaced by supporting cells, and fewer and fewer cells remain that can function. Acute or subacute pancreatitis develops. As you know, the pancreas produces insulin, a hormone responsible for the metabolism of sugars in the human body.

Liver - Alcoholic liver damage is a process that has several stages. At the first stage, due to the fact that the liver cannot cope with the processing of toxins, a compensatory increase occurs. Then the cells that constantly neutralize ethanol and its metabolites die from excessive work and their place is taken by adipose tissue (alcoholic fatty hepatosis). Alcoholic hepatitis (inflammation of liver cells) develops against the background of fatty liver degeneration. Based on tissue changes, manifestations, and consequences, alcoholic hepatitis is indistinguishable from viral hepatitis. Gradually, necrosis (cell death) occurs in certain areas of the liver. From this moment on, the liver disease becomes irreversible, i.e. Even if you stop drinking alcohol, the liver cells will not recover. Alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, the 3rd stage of alcoholic liver damage, can be characterized as follows.

After the main part of the liver cells dies, the remaining cells begin to form nodes, which are chaotically located non-functioning liver cells. The liver becomes lumpy and decreases in size. The nodes compress the veins of the liver and blood circulation throughout the body is disrupted. The veins of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines dilate compensatoryly. Alcoholics diagnosed with liver cirrhosis die quickly because they are poisoned by harmful substances that are no longer utilized by the liver; Often patients die from bleeding from dilated veins.

From large liver nodes (if the patient survives until this time) cancerous tumors (hepatocellular carcinoma) are formed.

Damage to the cardiovascular system

Heart - Alcohol damage to the heart develops as a result of the direct effect of alcohol, acetaldehyde (a product of alcohol processing), deep structural changes and physicochemical disorders. With systematic alcohol intake, the contractility and performance of the myocardium (heart muscle) decreases. Heart cells swell, collapse, the number of cell nuclei decreases, the structure of muscle fibers is disrupted, cell membranes are loosened and destroyed, protein synthesis in heart cells is disrupted. Then cell degeneration, micro- and macronecrosis is detected. In patients with alcoholism, the entire spectrum of conduction and excitability disorders is recorded. The most common are atrioventricular block, premature ventricular excitation syndrome and blockade of the cardiac pathways. Alcoholic heart damage is complicated by hypertension and vascular atherosclerosis. The value of blood pressure in people who abuse alcohol is initially higher (10-15%) than in those who abstain from taking it. This is an additional burden on the heart. There is a concept of “alcoholic heart”. It denotes the typical appearance of an alcoholic's heart observed at autopsy. The size of the heart is increased due to the enlargement of cavities and the proliferation of connective (not functional, muscle, but connective) tissue. Stopping alcohol consumption in a state of compensation stops toxic damage to the myocardium. If the impact of the damaging factor remains, decompensation develops. The strength and speed of heart contractions decrease, heart failure develops: swelling of all organs.

Damage to the immune system.

Systematic abuse of alcoholic beverages causes a decrease in phagocytosis. Phagocytosis is one of the most important protective anti-infective mechanisms of the body. With its help, microbes and altered, dangerous cells of the body are destroyed. The protective function of blood proteins is inhibited. The level of lysozyme, a protein contained in many human secretions (saliva, tears, tissues of various organs, skeletal muscles) and capable of having an antimicrobial effect and breaking down the membrane of microbes, decreases. The number of lymphocytes – immune cells – decreases. This is due to both the direct toxic effect of ethanol on the bone marrow, where lymphocytes are produced, and liver dysfunction. Decreased immunity leads to the formation of persistent foci of chronic infection. Alcoholics are more likely than people who abstain from alcohol to suffer from infectious diseases (pneumonia, abscesses, etc.). But the main danger to the body are antibodies to its own normal cells (autoantibodies), which begin to be synthesized under the influence of alcohol. In particular, autoantibodies to the liver are detected in every second patient, and autoantibodies to the spleen in every fourth patient. There are autoantibodies to brain tissue. Damage to the nervous system. Alcoholism is manifested by many neurological symptoms, which are based on metabolic disorders in the nervous tissue, death of nerve cells, increased intracranial pressure, and destruction of the membranes of nerve trunks. Systematic alcohol consumption leads to premature aging and disability. The life expectancy of people prone to drunkenness is 15-20 years shorter than the statistical average. The main causes of death for alcohol abusers are accidents and injuries.

Psychosis is a condition that occurs in 10% of patients in the late (second or third) stages of alcoholism, associated with metabolic disorders in the brain, oxygen starvation of nerve cells, the toxic effects of alcohol and the addition of other diseases. Psychosis occurs, as a rule, not at the time of alcohol intoxication, but several days after stopping drinking alcohol. A patient with alcoholism develops confusion; the person lives in his fantasies and is not aware of his actions. The patient is scared, it seems that someone is following him, wants to cause harm, all this is accompanied by severe painful experiences. Psychosis differs from a state of passion in that during psychosis a person seems to live “within himself” and does not understand that his experiences are not related to really existing problems. After each psychosis, a trace remains in the brain, like a small scar. In turn, each new dose of alcohol leaves behind destroyed nerve cells. When there is a lot of scarring on the brain, dementia occurs.

Delirium tremens (delirium tremens) is the most common alcoholic psychosis. It occurs, first of all, due to deep metabolic disorders throughout the body. The first attack of delirium is usually preceded by a long binge or prolonged, months-long, continuous drinking. Subsequent psychoses can also occur after short periods of drunkenness. Damage to the liver due to alcohol abuse leads to disruption of its function and breakdown of the compensatory mechanism. The processing of alcohol, which is in the body in significant concentrations, stops. Many intermediate toxic products of alcohol decomposition are formed. In addition, vitamin deficiency (especially B vitamins) that accompanies alcoholism causes a metabolic disorder of a substance such as glutamic acid, which increases the pathological excitability of the nervous system. The trigger for delirium tremens is the 3-5 day of abstinence from alcohol, the moment the blood alcohol concentration decreases. More often, delirium tremens (delirium) develops in people with previous traumatic brain injuries, with chronic diseases, and in patients with late onset of alcoholism. How does delirium tremens manifest itself? Initially, sleep disorders, nightmarish, frightening dreams, and fears are observed.

20% of patients at this stage of delirium experience seizures. Then depression, anxiety, fear are replaced by a complacent, high spirits, and causeless fun. Patients become talkative, restless, speak quickly, incoherently, and are easily distracted. Influxes of vivid memories appear, even auditory hallucinations (calls, clicks, sounds), delusions (delusions are unshakable judgments and conclusions that do not correspond to objective reality, are not amenable to psychotherapeutic correction and disrupt the patient’s adaptation). Then visual illusions and hallucinations arise (HALLUCINATIONS are vivid ideas brought by the pathological process to the level of perception of real ones). . Sleep continues to be intermittent, with frightening dreams. Upon waking up, the patient cannot distinguish dreams from reality. Photophobia appears. Then complete insomnia occurs. Microscopic mobile multiple hallucinations predominate: insects or small animals.

Hallucinations in the form of large animals or fantastic monsters occur much less frequently. Patients feel fear. Visual hallucinations in the form of cobwebs, threads, and wires are common. The surrounding objects seem to be swinging, falling, rotating. The sense of time changes, time for the patient is shortened or lengthened. Behavior, emotions, delusional statements correspond to the content of hallucinations. Patients try to run away, leave, hide, shake something off themselves, turn to imaginary interlocutors. There are 3 possible options for the further development of psychosis. Either the psychosis ends, or becomes chronic, or deep stupefaction, coma occurs, and the patient dies. Memories of the psychosis experienced are partially preserved. Psychosis lasts up to 10 days. The mortality rate for delirium is 1-2% according to various researchers. Among the causes of death, the main ones are cerebral edema and the addition of pneumonia and cardiovascular failure. Encephalopathy. Alcoholic encephalopathy is a general designation for a special group of mental disorders that usually develop at the 3rd stage of alcoholism. With encephalopathies, mental disorders are always combined with dysfunction of internal organs and nerve damage. Men get sick more often. More often the disease is preceded by psychosis. As an example, we will describe an acutely occurring encephalopathy, called in medicine WERNICKE'S ENCEPHALOPATHY. This encephalopathy begins after delirium tremens.

The patient notes drowsiness, visual hallucinations and illusions, may periodically shout out individual words, mutter something inaudibly;

short-term states of immobility, “freezing” with tension of all muscle groups are possible. Physical weakness quickly increases, appetite disappears, and the patient stops moving. After a few days, consciousness is impaired, even to the point of coma. From the very beginning of Wernicke's encephalopathy, tremors, attacks of spasms, involuntary movements of the limbs, and polyneuritis are observed.

The appearance of the patients is characteristic. As a rule, they are emaciated, their complexion is sallow - gray or yellowish with a dirty tint, their face is puffy, and a peculiar greasy face is characteristic. The skin is dry, flabby, flaky. The limbs are cyanotic, swollen, and extensive necrotic bedsores easily form on them (especially with insufficient care). An increase in temperature is an unfavorable sign. Blood pressure is low, fainting is frequent. Loose stools are often observed. Fatal outcome in acute encephalopathy is not uncommon; death usually occurs in the middle or by the end of the second week from the onset of psychosis. Most often this is caused by pneumonia. Psychosis that does not lead to death lasts 3-6 weeks. Possible outcomes: transition to Korsakoff psychosis (described below), dementia, no other outcomes.

KORSAKOV PSYCHOSIS is called “alcohol paralysis.” As a rule, Korsakov's psychosis develops after severe delirium, but it can also occur without severe previous disturbances of consciousness. Korsakoff psychosis is a chronic encephalopathy. The patient is confused about the time sequence of events. He talks about events that seem to have just happened to him from everyday life or about situations related to professional activity (for example, a patient who has not left the clinic for several weeks says that yesterday he went to the dacha, dug, planted seedlings, etc. .) Sometimes fantastic, adventurous statements are observed. Neuritis of the lower extremities is observed. The degree of damage to the nerves of the legs can vary, from mild gait disturbances to complete impairment of the ability to move independently. Recovery, if it occurs, which is extremely rare, occurs within a year from the onset of psychosis, i.e. the disease inevitably becomes chronic. More often a pronounced defect is formed - dementia.

Neurological complications of alcoholism.

The most common NEUROLOGICAL COMPLICATION OF ALCOHOLISM is polyneuritis.

Alcoholic polyneuritis. Inflammation of the nerves of the arms and legs associated with alcohol abuse. It manifests itself mainly in the form of disorders of pain and temperature sensitivity in the lower extremities. The patient is bothered by unpleasant sensations: “crawling sensations”, “numbness”, “muscle tightening”, “burning”, “pricks”; weakness of the limbs “woolly legs”. Possible skin lesions, sweating of hands and feet, swelling. The occurrence of polyneuritis is associated both with the direct toxic effect of alcohol and with a deficiency of vitamins B and PP, which occurs during alcoholism. In some patients, due to the toxic effect of alcohol, the so-called Dupuytren's contracture is formed - damage to the tendons of the 4th–5th fingers and toes. The tendon decreases in size and pulls the skin along with it, gradually forming an altered hand (foot), which cannot move. Treatment is avoidance of alcohol intake and surgical correction. The complications of alcoholism described in this article are typical of an advanced disease. They are difficult to treat. It is also difficult to prevent - you need to stop drinking alcohol on time.

Alcoholism is a continuous medical and social problem. The concept of “alcoholism” includes not only medical and biological, but also social content.

Alcoholism as a social evil is manifested by excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages (drunkenness), violation of moral and legal norms of behavior, social excesses, and decreased productivity. From a medical point of view, it is a disease that belongs to the broad group of drug addiction.

The classic definition of chronic alcoholism as a set of consequences of chronic intoxication was given in the mid-19th century in the classic work of M. Huss “Chronic alcoholism, or chronic alcoholic disease.” The author considered this disease as caused by alcohol abuse and expressed by corresponding changes in the nervous system. This definition dominated for a long time on the pages of textbooks and manuals on psychiatry and for half a century did not undergo any significant changes. Many researchers, when considering chronic alcoholism, pay attention to its social aspect.

Thus, M. Leuler (1955) classified as chronic alcoholics those people who, by drinking alcoholic beverages, cause harm to themselves somatically, mentally and socially. N.V. Kantorovich (1954) considered chronic alcoholics to be those who, as a result of systematic or sporadic abuse of alcoholic beverages, developed a craving for alcohol and suffered impairments in their ability to work, family relationships, and physical or mental health. W. Mayer-Gross, E. Slater, M. Roth (1954) write,

that chronic alcoholism is the habit of consuming alcoholic beverages in such quantities and with such frequency that it leads to loss of efficiency at work, conflicts in family and social life, or physical and mental health disorders.

There are three stages of alcoholism:

The initial stage is characterized by the appearance of a craving for alcohol. This is the result of mental dependence, increasing resistance to the doses taken: a large dose of alcohol is required to achieve intoxication. Alcohol consumption becomes systematic.

The middle stage is characterized by an increasing craving for alcohol, a change in the nature of intoxication, subsequent forgetting of the past, loss of control over the amount drunk, and the appearance of a hangover. At this stage, mental disorders, changes in internal organs and the nervous system are noted.

The last stage is characterized by a decrease in resistance to the doses of alcohol taken and the development of binge drinking. Severe neuropsychic disorders and profound changes in internal organs occur.

When mental dependence on alcohol appears, a person most often does not consider himself sick. Mental dependence is followed by physical dependence: alcohol is included in metabolic processes, deprivation of it leads to a painful illness - a hangover, which is characterized by hand tremors, anxious mood, heavy sleep with nightmares, and unpleasant sensations from the internal organs. At each of the subsequent stages, changes in the body, psyche and behavior of the patient increase. He becomes unable to perform creative activities; the will is sharply weakened - a person cannot control his actions, falls under the influence of others; emotions become coarser, emotional impoverishment and personality degradation sets in.

Repeatedly absorbed alcohol accumulates in the blood and is carried throughout the body by the blood flow, reaching every cell. alcohol disrupts the permeability of cell membranes, inhibits biologically active compounds, primarily enzymes, and reduces the absorption of oxygen by tissues. Thus, the conditions of the internal environment of the body sharply worsen. The effect of alcohol on the body resembles a change in the biocenosis of a river as a result of the flow of chemical waste into the river: the inhabitants of the aquatic environment begin to suffocate and die, and the plants on the banks wither. This comparison is also justified because the human body is 2/3 water.

Nerve cells and blood vessels in the brain are especially sensitive to alcohol. The drinker's face and whites of the eyes turn red as a result of dilation of the blood vessels of the skin, eyes and brain. At the same time, their regulatory capabilities are sharply disrupted, and the blood supply to the brain begins to lose its rhythm. Systematic intake of alcohol reduces the activity of the immune system, so alcoholics get sick more often and more severely. They are one and a half times more likely to develop respiratory diseases; 45-70% of those suffering from alcoholism have gastrointestinal disorders. Alcohol “burns” the mucous membrane of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, then inflammation of the mucous membrane of these organs occurs (chronic gastritis, chronic colitis). The liver is the first to take the blow of alcohol - it processes it. In this regard, alcoholics develop severe liver damage - alcoholic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis.

In about a third of people who drink alcohol, sexual function decreases and “alcoholic impotence” occurs. In women under the influence of alcohol, their ability to bear children is also reduced.

In youth, alcoholism is more severe and more difficult to treat. An indispensable condition for treatment is an absolute abstinence from drinking alcohol both during treatment and after recovery.

Prevention and socio-psychological work.

Let's consider the basic principles of prevention and socio-psychological work with patients suffering from alcohol addiction.

Prevention is a system of complex - state and public, socio-economic and medical-sanitary, psycho-pedagogical and psycho-hygienic measures aimed at preventing the disease, at comprehensively strengthening the health of the population.

All preventive measures can be divided into social, socio-medical and medical, which are distinguished by specific goals, means and effect.

All preventive measures are divided into three types: primary, secondary and tertiary prevention (terminology of the World Health Organization).

Primary, or predominantly social, prevention is aimed at preserving and developing conditions conducive to health, and at preventing the adverse effects of social and natural environmental factors on it.

Primary prevention of alcoholism consists in preventing the negative impact of alcoholic customs in the microsocial environment, forming among the population (especially the younger generation) such moral and hygienic beliefs that would exclude and displace the very possibility of any forms of alcohol abuse.

The leading task of primary prevention is to reduce the incidence of new problems associated with alcohol use, primarily to prevent their occurrence.

Secondary prevention of alcoholism consists of identifying groups of the population that are most vulnerable to alcoholism and patients, implementing therapeutic measures as early, fully and comprehensively as possible, improving the microsocial soil, and using the entire system of educational measures in the team and family.

Tertiary prevention of alcoholism “is aimed at preventing the progression of the disease and its complications, and is implemented in anti-relapse, maintenance therapy, and social rehabilitation measures.

All measures to eradicate drunkenness and alcoholism can be divided into two leading areas.

1) Corrective direction.

It consists in a direct impact on the drinking habits of the environment and the alcoholic behavior of individuals, on the policy regarding prices and the organization of trade in alcoholic beverages, on the administrative and legal regulation of measures to prevent alcoholism. The content of this direction is to break the links in the chain of development of alcoholization from alcoholic customs to signs of alcoholic illness, to create conditions for fostering a sober lifestyle.

2) Compensating direction.

It is associated with a change in the entire plane of everyday social relations on which alcoholic customs are located, with their displacement and replacement with more perfect, healthy ones. This direction is manifested by the formation in the younger generation of such moral qualities that counteract the emergence of social deviations.

Social experience shows that the problem of alcoholism in general is solved not through treatment, but from the standpoint of prevention, which should be carried out through a complex of legislative, administrative, legal and organizational measures.

I would like to draw special attention to the complex of psychotherapeutic measures.

Psychotherapy is the basis of any rehabilitation program, and it plays a special role in the rehabilitation of patients with alcoholism.

It is carried out in several forms and represents a complex therapeutic effect using psychological means on the patient’s psyche, and through it on his entire body, in order to eliminate painful symptoms and change the attitude towards oneself, one’s condition and the environment.

There are several methods of psychotherapy:

1) Hypnosis - immersing the patient in a hypnotic state - is a common mental technique that can increase the effectiveness of therapeutic suggestion.

2) Rational psychotherapy - differs from hypnosis by appealing to a person’s consciousness and reason, his logic.

3) Autogenic training - a method of self-hypnosis, self-soothing.

4) Narcopsychotherapy - suggestion in a hypnoid state caused by the administration of drugs that cause euphoria. 5) Collective and group psychotherapy

6) Play psychotherapy and creative psychotherapy (art therapy)

7) Emotional stress psychotherapy

So, alcoholism is a chronic disease characterized by a person’s pathological need for alcohol.

The main category of alcoholism prevention is a healthy lifestyle. There are two leading directions for eradicating drunkenness and alcoholism - corrective and compensatory. Social experience shows that the problem of alcoholism in general is solved not through treatment, but from the perspective of prevention, which should be carried out through a complex of legislative, administrative, legal and organizational measures.

Social service workers resolve issues such as obtaining a passport, reinstatement at work, living arrangements, etc. The outpatient drug treatment service also resolves issues related to preventive treatment and the work of psychotherapeutic groups. This distribution of forces and resources helps to carry out a targeted rehabilitation effect on patients with alcoholism and facilitates the management of the rehabilitation process. Alcoholism, as a rule, leads to social isolation of the patient. His family, work and other social relationships are disrupted. Therefore, I would like to draw special attention to the importance of the psychotherapeutic complex. The problem of alcoholism is extremely relevant for our country. The etiology and mechanisms of the disease require additional study. As is known, the disease is easier to prevent than to treat, therefore, in addition to treating the disease, which is currently ineffective (up to 80% of relapses), it is necessary to eradicate the causes of this problem. A relatively simple way out of this situation would be to radically increase the prices of alcoholic beverages, which would reduce their availability. And some doctors, speaking about alcoholism, wanted to advise: “everything is fine - if in moderation.”

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Content

Currently, alcohol abuse is an important problem in Russia. According to statistics, as of 2019, the number of alcoholism patients exceeded 5 million people or 3.7% of the total population. Complications of alcoholism have become one of the leading causes of premature death. In addition, the largest number of all crimes were committed while intoxicated. Frequent consumption of alcohol inevitably leads to addiction, i.e. Alcoholism and its consequences destroy not only health, but also life.

What is alcoholism

Alcoholism is a mental disorder that is characterized by excessive consumption of drinks containing ethyl alcohol. As a result of a state of constant intoxication, a person’s health deteriorates, his ability to work, his well-being and his moral character decrease. A person becomes dependent on alcohol at the physiological and mental levels. Alcoholism is not compatible with normal social and personal life. With prolonged use of high doses of alcohol, irreversible mental disorders inevitably occur.

Causes

There are many reasons and conditions that can lead to chronic alcoholism. As a rule, this is stress as a result of an emotional conflict, home or everyday problems, the loss of a loved one, or difficulties at work. Alcohol abuse is promoted by a depressive personality type with low self-esteem, dissatisfaction with one’s actions, deeds and achievements.

The hereditary factor is important (the father, mother or other blood relatives suffer from alcoholism), as well as various kinds of negative environmental and cultural factors, upbringing, and the availability of alcoholic beverages for minors. In addition, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is promoted by the low standard of living of the population, lack of good work, and lack of educational opportunities.

Stages

Alcoholism is a disease that develops over years and even decades. Clinically, there are three main stages in the development of this mental disorder:

1. First stage. It starts with the person increasing the dose of alcohol and drinking more often. He drinks a lot, often, making up excuses for drinking alcohol. At the same time, characteristic symptoms begin to develop: the person quickly loses control over his behavior and becomes inadequate. The next day, after drinking alcohol, you feel unwell, but without the need for a hangover. A clear sign of the onset of alcoholism is a person’s persistent belief that he can stop drinking at any time.
2. Second stage. It is observed in patients who are registered in drug treatment clinics. A person’s tolerance to alcohol increases, so the dose of alcohol gradually and imperceptibly increases. At the second stage of alcoholism, the initial symptoms intensify and new ones appear. Each time the doses increase, which leads to prolonged binges for several days in a row.
3. Third stage. The final stage is manifested by severe complications. At the third stage, the patient begins to experience a disorder of mental functions and alcohol degradation of all vital organs of the body. Resistance to ethyl alcohol increases, a person drinks systematically, every day, several times a day, but in small doses.

Some narcologists distinguish the final, fourth stage, which is characterized by severe mental disorder (alcohol psychosis), withdrawal syndromes and nervous complications (seizures, dementia). A chronic alcoholic is not able to think independently, speak normally and establish social contacts, and is indifferent to the world around him.

A person at this stage drinks often, in small portions, and is constantly intoxicated. During this period, the patient loses his family, often his home, and lives on the street. Alcoholism of the fourth stage does not respond to any therapy, because... all organs and systems of the body are destroyed by the action of ethyl alcohol and chronic intoxication with its metabolites. A person who has reached this stage does not live long and dies from a coma that occurs from prolonged drinking bouts.

The harm of drinking alcohol

In the initial stage of the development of alcoholism, the consequences of alcohol poisoning (headache, nausea) appear. Over time, the symptoms of regular drunkenness become obvious: the mood often changes dramatically, depending on the consumption of alcohol. Without drinking, the patient becomes aggressive and inadequate, and memory loss appears. An alcoholic thinks only about drinking; other joys, hobbies and needs do not exist for him, and even the need to eat fades into the background.

The second stage of addiction development is characterized by not only a psychological, but also a physical need for alcohol. The body requires new, higher doses of alcohol, without it it ceases to function normally. At this stage, a person often quits work and becomes apathetic and depressed. The patient can no longer stop drinking on his own.

At the third stage of the disease, a person quickly degrades as a person, his psyche is disturbed. Morphological destruction in the central nervous system, the functioning of organs and systems of the body leads to partial loss of movement and speech, and sudden paralysis of the entire body occurs. Malignant neoplasms develop in liver cells, and severe kidney and vascular diseases occur. In addition, frequent intoxication leads to alcoholic delirium, often fatal.

Beer alcoholism

Despite the fact that beer is a low-alcohol drink, it poses no less a danger to life and health. Such alcoholism has a direct negative effect on all body systems. Among the most unpleasant consequences of beer addiction is the harm that the drink causes to the heart. Large doses of “foamy” will affect the general well-being and the condition of its blood vessels.

In the history of medicine, the term “Bavarian beer heart” is known, which was designated by a German physician for patients whose hearts had become pathologically changed as a result of daily consumption of large amounts of beer. This condition is characterized by the following symptoms:

• thickened walls of the heart chambers;
• necrosis of muscle fibers;
• dilated heart cavities;
• decrease in the number of mitochondria in cells.

Consequences of alcoholism

Excessive alcohol consumption over time negatively affects all aspects of a person’s life: from health to social status. Ethyl alcohol has ruined the lives of many thousands of people; because of it, families are breaking up and children are born with deformities and disabilities. The consequences of alcohol intoxication, social problems and much more - this is the result of uncontrolled alcohol consumption.

Alcohol poisoning

The negative consequences of binge drinking and alcohol intoxication can be irreversible for human health. Fatal outcomes are often observed when critical doses of alcohol are consumed in combination with sedatives and narcotic substances. Symptoms during detoxification:

• headache;
• nausea;
• loss of appetite;
• hand tremors;
• tachycardia.

Children of alcoholics

The reproductive system is one of the first to suffer from uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, so healthy children are rarely born to chronic alcoholics. A child who was conceived by drinkers often experiences genetic mutations (Down's disease, Turner's syndrome, phenylketonuria). Anatomical disorders often occur during intrauterine development: heart defects, organ underdevelopment, anencephaly, hydrocephalus, etc., alcohol syndrome develops.

If alcoholics give birth to a daughter with rice, they will give birth to offspring with pathologies. This is due to the fact that egg precursors are born during intrauterine development and are not subsequently renewed, but simply mature, so a girl who was systematically exposed to ethyl alcohol in the womb gives birth to unhealthy children. As a result, attention is paid to prevention and elimination of female alcoholism.

Social consequences

Alcohol is often the impetus for criminal behavior because... it relaxes a person’s consciousness and gives a feeling of impunity. Social consequences of alcoholism include:

• fights;
• theft;
• sexual violence;
• causing material damage;
• bad behavior;
• murders;
• domestic violence;
• drunk driving.

Coding

One of the methods of prevention, treatment and prevention of alcoholism is coding, i.e. a set of measures aimed at developing a reflexive rejection of alcohol or emotional disgust. In modern narcology, there are several types of such procedures:

1. Medication. The use of medications that cause intolerance to even small doses of ethyl alcohol.
2. Psychotherapy. Using modern methods of influencing mental perception.
3. Hardware encoding. The use of physiotherapy to develop alcohol intolerance.
4. Hypnotherapy. Using individual or group hypnosis sessions.

Encoding is considered successful, after which the person is physically unable to drink any alcoholic beverages, even if he wants to. When drinking alcohol, such patients immediately experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headache. The most common method of coding patients with alcoholism is medication.

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Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials in the article do not encourage self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give treatment recommendations based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

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Alcoholism and its consequences for human health - harm from regular consumption of alcoholic beverages

– a disease in which there is physical and mental dependence on alcohol. It is accompanied by an increased craving for alcohol, an inability to regulate the amount of alcohol consumed, a tendency to binge drinking, the occurrence of a pronounced withdrawal syndrome, decreased control over one’s own behavior and motivations, progressive mental degradation and toxic damage to internal organs. Alcoholism is an irreversible condition; the patient can only completely stop drinking alcohol. Drinking the slightest dose of alcohol, even after a long period of abstinence, causes a breakdown and further progression of the disease.

General information

Alcoholism is the most common type of substance abuse, mental and physical dependence on ethanol-containing drinks, accompanied by progressive personality degradation and characteristic damage to internal organs. Experts believe that the prevalence of alcoholism is directly related to the increase in the standard of living of the population. In recent decades, the number of patients with alcoholism has been growing; according to WHO, there are currently about 140 million alcoholics in the world.

The disease develops gradually. The likelihood of alcoholism depends on many factors, including mental characteristics, social environment, national and family traditions, as well as genetic predisposition. Children of people suffering from alcoholism become alcoholics more often than children of non-drinking parents, which may be due to certain character traits, hereditary metabolic characteristics and the formation of a negative life scenario. Non-drinking children of alcoholics often show a tendency towards codependent behavior and form families with alcoholics. Treatment of alcoholism is carried out by specialists in the field of addiction medicine.

Ethanol metabolism and addiction development

The main component of alcoholic beverages is ethanol. Small amounts of this chemical compound are part of the human body's natural metabolic processes. Normally, the ethanol content is no more than 0.18 ppm. Exogenous (external) ethanol is quickly absorbed in the digestive tract, enters the blood and affects nerve cells. Maximum intoxication occurs 1.5-3 hours after drinking alcohol. When taking too much alcohol, a gag reflex occurs. As alcoholism develops, this reflex weakens.

About 90% of alcohol consumed is oxidized in cells, broken down in the liver and excreted from the body in the form of metabolic end products. The remaining 10% is excreted unprocessed through the kidneys and lungs. Ethanol is eliminated from the body within approximately 24 hours. In chronic alcoholism, intermediate products of the breakdown of ethanol remain in the body and have a negative effect on the activity of all organs.

The development of mental dependence in alcoholism is due to the influence of ethanol on the nervous system. After drinking alcohol, a person feels euphoria. Anxiety decreases, self-confidence increases, and communication becomes easier. Essentially, people are trying to use alcohol as a simple, affordable, fast-acting antidepressant and stress reliever. As a “one-time help”, this method sometimes really works - a person temporarily relieves tension, feels satisfied and relaxed.

However, drinking alcohol is not natural and physiological. Over time, the need for alcohol increases. A person, not yet an alcoholic, begins to drink alcohol regularly, without noticing gradual changes: an increase in the required dose, the appearance of memory lapses, etc. When these changes become significant, it turns out that psychological dependence is already combined with physical one, and you can’t stop yourself. Drinking alcohol is very difficult or almost impossible.

Alcoholism is a disease closely related to social interactions. At the initial stage, people often drink alcohol due to family, national or corporate traditions. In a drinking environment, it is more difficult for a person to remain sober, as the concept of “normal behavior” shifts. In socially prosperous patients, alcoholism may be due to a high level of stress at work, the tradition of “washing” successful deals, etc. However, regardless of the root cause, the consequences of regular alcohol consumption will be the same - alcoholism will arise with progressive mental degradation and deterioration of health.

Consequences of drinking alcohol

Alcohol has a depressant effect on the nervous system. Initially, euphoria occurs, accompanied by some excitement, a decrease in criticism of one’s own behavior and current events, as well as a deterioration in coordination of movements and a slower reaction. Subsequently, excitement gives way to drowsiness. When taking large doses of alcohol, contact with the outside world is increasingly lost. There is progressive absent-mindedness in combination with a decrease in temperature and pain sensitivity.

The severity of motor impairment depends on the degree of intoxication. In severe intoxication, severe static and dynamic ataxia is observed - a person cannot maintain a vertical body position, his movements are very uncoordinated. Control over the activity of the pelvic organs is impaired. When taking excessive doses of alcohol, weakened breathing, cardiac dysfunction, stupor and coma may occur. Possible death.

In chronic alcoholism, typical damage to the nervous system is observed due to prolonged intoxication. During recovery from binge drinking, delirium tremens (delirium tremens) may develop. Somewhat less frequently, patients suffering from alcoholism are diagnosed with alcoholic encephalopathy (hallucinosis, delusional states), depression and alcoholic epilepsy. Unlike delirium tremens, these conditions are not necessarily associated with abrupt cessation of drinking. In patients with alcoholism, gradual mental degradation, a narrowing of the range of interests, disorders of cognitive abilities, decreased intelligence, etc. are revealed. In the later stages of alcoholism, alcoholic polyneuropathy is often observed.

Typical disorders of the gastrointestinal tract include pain in the stomach, gastritis, erosion of the gastric mucosa, as well as atrophy of the intestinal mucosa. Acute complications are possible in the form of bleeding caused by gastric ulceration or violent vomiting with ruptures of the mucous membrane in the transitional section between the stomach and esophagus. Due to atrophic changes in the intestinal mucosa in patients with alcoholism, the absorption of vitamins and microelements worsens, metabolism is disrupted, and vitamin deficiencies occur.

In alcoholism, liver cells are replaced by connective tissue, and liver cirrhosis develops. Acute pancreatitis that occurs due to alcohol intake is accompanied by severe endogenous intoxication and may be complicated by acute renal failure, cerebral edema and hypovolemic shock. Mortality in acute pancreatitis ranges from 7 to 70%. Characteristic disorders of other organs and systems in alcoholism include cardiomyopathy, alcoholic nephropathy, anemia and immune disorders. Patients with alcoholism have an increased risk of developing subarachnoid hemorrhages and some forms of cancer.

Symptoms and stages of alcoholism

There are three stages of alcoholism and prodrome - a state when the patient is not yet an alcoholic, but regularly drinks alcohol and is at risk of developing this disease. At the prodrome stage, a person willingly drinks alcohol in company and, as a rule, rarely drinks alone. Alcohol consumption occurs in accordance with the circumstances (celebration, friendly meeting, fairly significant pleasant or unpleasant event, etc.). The patient can stop drinking alcohol at any time without suffering any unpleasant consequences. He has no desire to continue drinking after the event is over and easily returns to normal sober life.

First stage of alcoholism accompanied by increased craving for alcohol. The need to drink alcohol resembles hunger or thirst and is exacerbated in unfavorable circumstances: during quarrels with loved ones, problems at work, an increase in the overall level of stress, fatigue, etc. If a patient suffering from alcoholism fails to drink, he becomes distracted and cravings for alcohol. temporarily reduced until the next unfavorable situation. If alcohol is available, a patient with alcoholism drinks more than a person at the prodrome stage. He tries to achieve a state of pronounced intoxication by drinking in company or drinking alcohol alone. It is more difficult for him to stop, he strives to continue the “holiday” and continues to drink even after the end of the event.

Characteristic features of this stage of alcoholism are the extinction of the gag reflex, aggressiveness, irritability and memory loss. The patient takes alcohol irregularly; periods of absolute sobriety may alternate with isolated cases of drinking alcohol or be replaced by binges lasting several days. Criticism of one’s own behavior is reduced even during the period of sobriety; a patient with alcoholism tries in every possible way to justify his need for alcohol, finds all sorts of “worthy reasons,” shifts responsibility for his drunkenness to others, etc.

Second stage of alcoholism manifested by an increase in the amount of alcohol consumed. A person drinks more alcohol than before, and the ability to control the intake of ethanol-containing drinks disappears after the first dose. Against the background of a sharp refusal of alcohol, withdrawal syndrome occurs: tachycardia, increased blood pressure, sleep disturbances, trembling of the fingers, vomiting when taking liquids and food. The development of delirium tremens, accompanied by fever, chills and hallucinations, is possible.

Third stage of alcoholism manifested by decreased tolerance to alcohol. To achieve intoxication, a patient suffering from alcoholism only needs to take a very small dose of alcohol (about one glass). When taking subsequent doses, the condition of the patient with alcoholism practically does not change, despite the increase in the concentration of alcohol in the blood. There is an uncontrollable craving for alcohol. Alcohol consumption becomes constant, the duration of drinking bouts increases. If you refuse to take ethanol-containing drinks, delirium delirium often develops. Mental degradation is noted in combination with pronounced changes in internal organs.

Treatment and rehabilitation for alcoholism

Prognosis for alcoholism

The prognosis depends on the duration and intensity of alcohol intake. At the first stage of alcoholism, the chances of recovery are quite high, but at this stage patients often do not consider themselves alcoholics, so they do not seek medical help. In the presence of physical dependence, remission for a year or more is observed in only 50-60% of patients. Narcologists note that the likelihood of long-term remission increases significantly if the patient actively desires to stop drinking alcohol.

The life expectancy of patients suffering from alcoholism is 15 years less than the population average. The cause of death is typical chronic diseases and acute conditions: delirium delirium, stroke, cardiovascular failure and cirrhosis of the liver. Alcoholics are more likely to have accidents and commit suicide more often. Among this population group, there is a high level of early disability due to the consequences of injuries, organ pathology and severe metabolic disorders.

Alcohol abuse in Russia, unfortunately, is very common. At the same time, the majority of drinkers are confident that they are leading not just a normal lifestyle, but rather even a modern one, inspired by the cream of society. After all, wherever you look, from TV screens or advertising boards, the average person is always haunted by at least an advertising slogan for an alcoholic drink. Such almost aggressive advertising of booze over time plunges the majority of members of our society to the social bottom. After all, neither advertising nor fashionable films talk about what drunkenness leads to. In the material below we will look in detail at what alcohol addiction can lead to and how to protect yourself from it.

Consequences of drunkenness

It is worth understanding that for drinkers, the consequences of alcohol abuse can be divided into three components:

• Personal (physiological) problems. Here we see chronic pathologies that develop under the influence of constant libations. It’s not without reason that every advertisement for an alcoholic drink says that alcoholism and its health consequences are not the most rosy message. In particular, an alcoholic has problems with the liver, heart and brain. As a result of addiction, the patient gradually turns into a disabled person, and then ends his life altogether in a deplorable condition or under difficult criminal circumstances.
• Social. Here, rather, the role of the alcoholic’s relationship with society and the environment and all the ensuing consequences is evident. Moreover, it is worth noting that the influence of alcohol addiction affects almost all areas of a person’s life (family, work, relationships with friends, etc.).
• Socio-economic. Here the problem is already at the state level, ranging from the degradation of the nation and demographic decline to economic instability from the decline in the nation’s working capacity to the need to pay benefits for disability earned due to alcohol addiction.

Important: in order to overcome the national scourge called alcoholism, powerful comprehensive prevention is needed to prevent addiction among young people in the first place.

Physiological consequences of alcoholism

If the reader is interested in a message on the topic of alcoholism and its consequences, then the information below will be of interest. First of all, let’s consider why a dependent person (leading an alcoholic lifestyle) becomes disabled over time. In particular, the following diseases lead to disability of drinkers:

• Cirrhosis of the liver. It develops against the background of constant poisoning of the body with ethanol. Over time, in people who drink, healthy liver cells are replaced by fibrous tissue, which leads to the death of the organ. As a result, the body, which is not freed from toxins, dies. Death with cirrhosis is very painful. A person dies either from internal bleeding, or from encephalopathy (brain death and coma), or from a critical drop in all vital indicators of the body.
• Heart failure. Heart pathologies rank second among alcohol-related diseases. The mortality rate from heart attack among people leading an immoral lifestyle in alcohol addiction is 40-60%.
• Alcoholic encephalopathy. That is, the death of brain cells. A person who drinks not only degrades, but over time becomes a vegetable. And if death does not overtake such an alcoholic in painful attacks of panic attack or delirium tremens, then the alcoholic can subsequently live as a disabled person who does not perceive reality and burdens his relatives.
• Diabetes. The development of such a disease also occurs under the influence of constant libations. As a result, it leads to a painful existence with possible amputation of limbs, etc., which sooner or later will lead to death (if the person does not give up the addiction).

Important: in addition to these terrible diseases, in the early stages of addiction, an alcoholic’s libido decreases, impotence/frigidity sets in, metabolic processes suffer, etc. Alcohol addiction also leads toto development degenerative features of the human body.

Social consequences of alcohol addiction

If we consider alcoholism and its consequences from this point of view, then for a person leading such an alcoholic lifestyle, everything is much more complicated. In particular, the patient faces a number of social problems.

Family destruction

Relationships built over years collapse almost overnight if a person gives preference to alcohol. Once close people become enemies. In the home of an alcoholic, fear, tension, resentment, bitterness and aggression are constantly present. Scandals and fights are possible, which will lead to psychological trauma in children (if there are any in the family of a drunkard). Children may develop mental illnesses later on. In addition, against the backdrop of constant drunkenness, the family’s material wealth declines to the point that all members of the drinking person’s family begin to be in dire need of the basic necessities. The overall impact of this situation on society is extremely negative.

Disruption of connections with society

People who drink because of their own addiction lose not only relatives, but also friends/colleagues. And if at first the environment of an addicted person tries to save him (to solve problems, relieve pain or help cope with a difficult situation that provoked alcoholism), then over time, if drinkers lack the motivation to quit drinking, the entire environment simply turns away from the alcoholic and his illness. After all, it is easier to distance yourself from a terrible disease than to take on all the dirt and filth that alcoholism entails. As a result, only drinking buddies remain around the drinking person.

Job loss

The decline of a person’s moral character as a member of a healthy society entails his degradation. Over time, even a very good specialist who drinks heavily will become unnecessary in production or at an enterprise. His work efficiency will decrease, and the risk of injury at work will increase. In addition, it is unlikely that any adequate employer will want to pay such an employee. And the alcoholic will be absent more and more often. The result is job loss and new stress that you want to drown in wine. This will create a vicious circle.

Increased crime rate in the country

In particular, statistics have proven that most illegal actions are committed under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. The development of this trend is obvious. A drunk person becomes either cheeky, which pushes him to rash actions, or aggressive, which completely turns off his brain and pushes him into the hands of the criminal world. Depending on the root cause of alcoholism, a drinking person can do anything. Abandoned husband - kill or maim an unfaithful wife; unrecognized genius - to take revenge on his offenders; a once oppressed child - to win his place in the sun by committing a serious crime, etc. But the worst thing here is that after what he has done, there is no turning back. A person who commits a crime is tainted for the rest of his life.

Increase in the number of road accidents

Alcohol is a common cause of most accidents today. A drunk driver cannot control his reactions. The concentration of attention of such a car owner is reduced several times even after 100 grams. vodka. And these are precious seconds on the road, which can cost the lives of both the driver and other road users.

Important: just 80 ml of strong alcohol or a glass of beer is eliminated from the body for at least 20 hours. Therefore, it is not recommended to drive even in this condition.

Suicidal tendencies

The consequences of developing addiction are no less terrible here. In addition to the tendency to commit serious crimes, alcoholics may also decide to commit suicide. Most often, such attempts end successfully. In the worst case, the alcoholic survives, but has concomitant illnesses (illnesses) or becomes disabled and a burden to his loved ones. As a result, the life of both the drinking person and his children is ruined.

Socio-economic and demographic consequences of alcoholism

As for alcohol addiction in relation to the state, here the country is undergoing no less negative changes. In particular, the country's economy is forced to be rebuilt to accommodate the payment of benefits to disabled alcoholics who have ruined their health and lives.

In addition, teenage alcoholism in society has the greatest impact on the gene pool of the nation, forming genetic diseases. If mass national alcoholism is not stopped in time, then within two or three generations the nation will simply degrade. The intellectual abilities of the Russian person will decline to the level of primitivism.

Important: it is worth remembering that alcoholism in children and adolescents develops much faster and is much more difficult to treat. Therefore, it is necessary now to carry out prevention of childhood alcoholism at the state level, before it (alcoholism) takes away hope for a healthy future and provokes various mutational diseases.

And finally, it is worth understanding that the mortality rate in Russia today from alcoholism is about half a million people per year. This number is truly terrifying. Especially when you consider that the gap between mortality and fertility is increasing every year. Moreover, even people who do not drink alcohol frequently can conceive a child with the genes of an alcoholic or provoke further diseases in the fetus.

Important: the life and health of each person is only in his own hands. And if at least once you have to choose between drinking or not, then it is better to vote for a sober lifestyle. A healthy nation is most important!

Alcoholism is a disease characterized by constant and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol-containing drinks, resulting dependence, pathological desire for intoxication and changes in tolerance to alcohol.

The pathology is manifested by a combination of various mental and somatic disorders that develop as a result of systematic alcohol abuse.

The consequences of drunkenness and alcoholism are conventionally divided into two classes:

• All information on the site is for informational purposes only and is NOT a guide to action!
• Can give you an ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS only DOCTOR!
• We kindly ask you NOT to self-medicate, but make an appointment with a specialist!
• Health to you and your loved ones!

Psychological changes

Significant consequences of alcohol consumption are observed in the psychological state of a person. These changes occur regardless of the personal characteristics that he had before the development of the disease - interests, life position and behavior.

Previously active, enthusiastic and cheerful people during a certain period of alcoholism become rude, irritable, cynical and picky, which provokes loved ones into scandals and conflict situations. Alcoholics become sloppy, withdrawn, and surround themselves with the same individuals.

Even in the initial stage of the disease, people lose good jobs, find less prestigious ones, and as alcoholism progresses, they lose it, gradually sinking to the very “bottom”. Patients' moral character changes significantly; their desires are limited by the need to systematically consume alcoholic beverages.

As alcoholism continues and progresses, personality destruction is noted:

• alcoholics deny the presence of the disease;
• degradation of personal characteristics is observed: the emotional-volitional sphere is destroyed, progressive apathy and carelessness, indifference to everything except alcohol are noted;
• periods of aggression, anger, irritability are observed (more often in women);
• complex mental consequences develop:

• decrease in personal qualities in the form of loss of moral values ​​and interests;
• psychopathization with suicidal tendencies;
• steady decline in intelligence and memory;
• which are manifested by sudden mood swings, alcoholic depression, aggressiveness, dysphoria, hallucinations, delusions of jealousy;
• in later stages, dementia develops.

Consequences of alcoholism for the body

The most significant consequences of alcoholism for the body are severe somatic diseases, combined pathologies of various organs and systems, which quite often lead to disability and death. In this case, almost all internal systems and organs of the patient are affected.

Impact on social aspects

The consequences of alcohol abuse significantly affect social life. Gradually declining as individuals, alcoholics become outcasts in society. Most narcologist patients lack self-control, a sense of self-preservation, and ethical and moral standards.

• problems in the family, which are manifested by increased conflicts, disruption of peace and internal balance, aggravated by aggressiveness and rudeness, a drinking family member and economic difficulties (almost all financial resources are spent on the purchase of alcoholic beverages), which leads to its destruction;
• at the country level, the social consequences of the abuse of strong drinks are unemployment, devastation and degradation of the population;
• increase in crime - alcoholics often commit thefts, robberies or even murders;
• road traffic accidents (80% of all road accidents are caused by drunk drivers);
• a violation of the relationship of alcoholics with society as a whole - against the background of systematic alcohol consumption, a person’s moral character changes, he becomes rude, sloppy and surrounds himself with the same people, whose desires are limited only by the need to drink alcohol-containing drinks.

Economic Shifts

Alcoholism has a pronounced negative impact on human health, and its consequences gradually lead to the economic crisis of the country. Due to the systematic consumption of alcoholic beverages, the employee’s ability to work is reduced, which negatively affects the productivity of the company.

The state suffers large losses by paying financial resources for benefits for sick leave and disability. There is an increase in the mortality rate and a decrease in the birth rate, gradually leading to a labor shortage.

All these factors negatively affect the state of the state budget and its gross domestic product.

During pregnancy

Today, it is a proven fact that strong drinks have a negative impact on the state of a woman’s reproductive system and the health of the fetus when drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

Therefore, frequent consequences of alcohol abuse during childbearing years are infertility, chronic miscarriage or the birth of a child with genetic abnormalities (Down syndrome, autism, polydactyly and other complex genetic abnormalities).

Conception while intoxicated is considered no less dangerous - this can also lead to the birth of a child with pathologies of the neuropsychic sphere or congenital anomalies (brain atrophy, combined congenital heart defects, eye abnormalities).

Alcoholic drinks consumed by a woman during pregnancy cause irreparable harm to the health of the unborn child - and it does not matter in what trimester of pregnancy the pregnant woman drinks strong drinks. This is manifested by persistent toxicosis, threats of abortion, nephropathies and exacerbation of somatic diseases. In this case, chronic intrauterine hypoxia of the fetus, the development of intrauterine malnutrition, and significant morphofunctional immaturity of the baby are noted.

It is important to remember that the most dangerous period for the fetus is the first trimester of pregnancy. During this period, the laying and formation of all the main organs and systems of the baby occurs, so any dose of alcohol, even a minimal one, can cause various developmental pathologies - congenital anomalies of the neural tube, eyes, cardiovascular system, and digestive tract.

The consequences of frequent and uncontrolled alcohol consumption in the third trimester of pregnancy is the likelihood of having a baby with fetal alcohol syndrome.

This disease is incurable and is manifested by weight deficiency, short stature, various deformations of the brain and/or facial skeleton (anomalies of the upper and lower jaw, abnormal shape of the eyes); as these children grow, they lag significantly behind in mental and physical development; manifestations such as symptomatic epilepsy, enuresis, logoneurosis, autonomic and mental disorders.

For diabetes

Patients suffering from diabetes must take their own nutrition seriously. It is important to remember that drinking alcohol is absolutely incompatible with this pathology. Ethyl alcohol is one of the reasons for the development of hypoglycemia and the aggravation of this complex disease.

The main dangers of drinking even small doses of alcohol with diabetes are:

• the negative effect of alcohol on the normal functioning of liver cells with inhibition of glucose production;
• substances in alcoholic beverages and their breakdown products have a destructive effect on cell membranes that protect them from direct contact with glucose;
• when alcohol-containing drinks enter the body, destruction of cell membranes is observed, glucose enters the cells with a sharp reduction in blood glucose levels and the development of a hypoglycemic state;
• Under the influence of alcohol, insulin-producing cells of the pancreas die, provoking a complicated course of diabetes mellitus.