Mason Delacroix
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), commonly known as alcoholism, is a chronic brain disease that can lead to various health issues and even death. AUD is a common condition where individuals are unable to stop drinking despite the negative consequences on their health, safety, and personal relationships. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause acute and chronic diseases, including liver disease, pancreatitis, GI bleeding, nutritional deficiencies, and an increased risk of certain cancers. AUD is a treatable disease, and individuals can recover through medication and behavioural therapy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of disease | Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), also known as Alcoholism |
| Type of disease | Chronic brain disease |
| Treatability | Treatable, can go into remission but not cured |
| Treatment | Medication, behavioural therapy |
| Prevalence | Common, 14.5 million people in the US in 2019 |
| Causes | Genetic factors, environmental factors |
| Symptoms | Craving alcohol, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, relationship issues, giving up social/work activities, drinking in hazardous situations, drinking despite medical conditions, high alcohol tolerance, negative health effects |
| Related conditions | Liver disease, pancreatitis, GI bleeding, heart disease, cancer, mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, dementia), nutritional deficiencies, Wernicke disease, Marchiafava-Bignami disease, cortical laminar sclerosis, cerebellar degeneration, central pontine myelinolysis, enlargement of ventricles |
| Mortality | Alcohol-related mortality is on the rise, with 178,000 deaths in the US each year |
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Liver disease
Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) refers to liver damage caused by excess alcohol intake. The liver breaks down alcohol, but if you drink more than it can process, it can become damaged. Alcohol-related liver disease does not usually cause any symptoms until the liver has been severely damaged. This means ARLD is often diagnosed during tests for other conditions or at a stage of advanced liver damage.
There are several stages of severity and a range of associated symptoms. The most common alcohol-induced liver problem is a steatotic (fatty) liver, which is the build-up of fat inside the liver cells, leading to an enlarged liver. Alcohol-associated hepatitis is an acute inflammation of the liver, causing liver cell death, often followed by permanent scarring. Cirrhosis is the most serious stage of liver disease and usually takes many years to develop. It is the destruction of normal liver tissue, leaving scar tissue in its place. In this situation, the liver may stop working correctly.
The effects of alcohol on the liver depend on how much and how long a person has been drinking. The most important part of treatment is to stop drinking alcohol completely. A liver transplant may be required in severe cases where the liver has stopped functioning and does not improve when you stop drinking alcohol. Participating in an alcohol use disorder treatment program and avoiding all alcohol can improve the likelihood of favourable outcomes.
It is important to eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of vegetables, fruit, wholegrain carbohydrates, and lean protein. Cut down on highly processed foods and snacks, especially those high in fat, sugar, or salt.
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Nutritional deficiencies
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), commonly known as alcoholism, is a medical condition characterised by excessive alcohol consumption, which negatively impacts health and well-being. Chronic alcoholism can lead to nutritional deficiencies, particularly of vitamins and minerals, which are essential for maintaining various bodily functions.
Vitamin deficiencies commonly associated with chronic alcoholism include folate, vitamin B6, thiamine, and vitamin A. Alcoholism can impair the absorption, storage, metabolism, and activation of these vitamins in the body. For example, thiamine deficiency can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, causing neurological symptoms such as confusion, memory loss, and coordination problems.
Chronic alcohol consumption can also deplete zinc levels, which is essential for energy metabolic processes. Zinc deficiency can further contribute to decreased endurance and overall fatigue. Additionally, alcohol inhibits the body's ability to synthesise proteins, resulting in a reduction of muscle build-up and impeded muscle growth. This is exacerbated by alcohol's dehydrating effect, as adequate hydration is crucial for muscle function and recovery.
Alcohol also disrupts sleep patterns, affecting the quality and duration of sleep. This disruption can hinder muscle recovery and repair processes, as the body releases lower amounts of the human growth hormone (HGH) during sleep, which is essential for muscle growth and repair. Furthermore, alcohol's interference with sleep can impair memory formation and retention, compromising the hippocampus, a brain structure vital for memory function.
The nutritional deficiencies caused by chronic alcoholism can have wide-ranging impacts on overall health and well-being, highlighting the importance of addressing both the disorder and its nutritional consequences for comprehensive recovery.
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Brain disorders
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), previously referred to as alcoholism, is a chronic brain disease that can lead to remission but not be cured. It is a common medical condition, with an estimated 14.5 million people in the United States suffering from it in 2019. AUD is characterised by changes in the brain that cause those affected to crave alcohol, lose control of their drinking, and require larger quantities of alcohol to achieve the desired effects. These changes in the brain can cause people with AUD to continue drinking even when they know it is causing social, health, economic, and legal problems.
There are several brain disorders associated with chronic alcoholism. One uncommon chronic brain disorder is Marchiafava-Bignami disease, which involves the degeneration of the corpus callosum, the tissue that connects the two hemispheres of the brain. Other brain damage occasionally reported in alcoholics includes cortical laminar sclerosis, cerebellar degeneration, and central pontine myelinolysis. Alcoholics, especially older ones, frequently experience enlargement of the ventricles as a result of atrophy of brain substance caused in part by the direct effects of alcohol on the central nervous system. In some cases, brain atrophy may also be the result of damage caused by accidents and blows.
Wernicke's encephalopathy, also known as Wernicke disease, is another brain disorder that can result from chronic alcoholism. It is caused by a complete deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1) and is characterised by a clouding of consciousness and abnormal eye movements. Alcoholics are at risk of developing Wernicke disease due to prolonged drinking that interferes with an adequate diet.
Chronic alcoholism can also lead to nutritional-deficiency diseases, including the severe effects of long-term thiamine deficiency, such as degeneration of the peripheral nerves and beriberi heart disease. Other nutritional deficiencies associated with alcoholism include niacin deficiency (pellagra), vitamin C deficiency (scurvy), folate and vitamin B12 deficiency (hypochromic macrocytic anaemia), and pernicious anaemia. These nutritional deficiencies can have significant impacts on brain function and overall health.
Additionally, chronic alcoholism can increase the risk of developing mental health disorders such as mild dementia, depression, and personality disorders. These mental health issues can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life and well-being.
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Mental health issues
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), also known as alcoholism, is a common medical condition that can lead to severe mental health issues. People with AUD are unable to stop drinking, even when alcohol negatively impacts their health, safety, and personal relationships. The condition is characterised by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with alcohol, and continued alcohol use despite adverse consequences.
The mental health issues associated with chronic alcoholism are wide-ranging and can include mild dementia, which may persist for up to six months after ceasing alcohol consumption. Alcoholics, especially older ones, frequently experience enlargement of the ventricles due to atrophy of brain substance caused in part by the direct effects of alcohol on the central nervous system. This can result in cognitive impairments and difficulties with thinking abilities and coordination. In some cases, chronic alcoholism can lead to a rare chronic brain disorder called Marchiafava-Bignami disease, which involves the degeneration of the corpus callosum, the tissue that connects the two hemispheres of the brain.
Alcohol withdrawal can also lead to severe mental health issues, including seizures, mental clouding, disorientation, and hallucinations. Delirium tremens (DT) is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can cause gross trembling of the whole body, fever, and frank delirium. It can be life-threatening and typically lasts from 3 to 10 days. Chronic alcoholic hallucinosis is a rare complication of alcohol withdrawal that can persist for weeks to years.
In addition to the direct effects of alcohol on the brain, alcoholism can also exacerbate underlying mental health conditions. Studies have shown that having conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorder. Alcohol intoxication can produce a wide variety of disturbances in neuromuscular and mental functions, and those with AUD are more likely to experience accidents and injuries. Additionally, alcoholism can negatively impact the mental health of family members, especially children, increasing the chances of academic failure, delinquency, and drug misuse.
The social and psychological pathology associated with alcoholism is significant, and the number of patients hospitalized for depression and personality disorders resulting from alcoholism is high. Preventative measures and educational campaigns aimed at reducing the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and alcohol misuse have been recommended to address these issues. Treatment for AUD typically involves medication and behavioural therapy, with a focus on helping individuals discontinue their alcohol intake and providing ongoing support to prevent relapse.
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Cancer
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), previously referred to as alcoholism, is a chronic brain disease that can lead to cancer. Alcohol and its metabolite acetaldehyde are carcinogens, increasing the risk of several types of cancers in humans.
Alcoholism can cause liver disease, including steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Alcohol-associated cirrhosis is a well-known, life-threatening complication of alcoholism, and patients with this condition have an increased risk of developing primary liver cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form of liver cancer, accounting for about 90% of cases, and chronic alcohol use can increase the risk of this cancer by up to five times.
Excessive alcohol consumption is also linked to an increased risk of breast cancer in women and men. Binge drinking, defined as consuming a large amount of alcohol over 2 to 3 hours, can also increase the risk of cancer, as well as heart disease and other chronic conditions.
Alcohol use disorder is a treatable disease, and remission is possible. Medications can aid detoxification and help manage withdrawal symptoms, while behavioural therapies can assist individuals in reducing alcohol intake or abstaining from alcohol altogether.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), previously referred to as alcoholism, is a chronic brain disease that can develop as a result of chronic alcoholism.
AUD is associated with a range of health problems, including liver disease, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and depression. AUD can also cause changes in mood and behaviour, such as craving alcohol, giving up important social activities, and planning one's life around the next drink.
AUD is a treatable disease, and remission is possible. Treatment includes medication and behavioural therapy. Medication can make detoxification safer and help avoid the worst symptoms of withdrawal. Behavioural therapies can help people with AUD reduce alcohol intake or abstain from alcohol altogether.
