Alcoholism, or alcohol addiction as it is better known, is one of the most widespread diseases that afflict the modern world. With the ever increasing pace of life and the myriad tensions that come along with it, more and more people are turning to the bottle as a respite from the mounting stress of their workplace and social life. However, not many know that alcohol is, in itself, a major cause of all their woes. The reason for this is that alcohol, by nature, is a depressant which means, the more you drink, the more your mind succumbs to the plunging depths of despair, which in turn leads you to drink even more to cope with this depression. And as a result of this vicious cycle, the body of the alcoholic suffers, unable to keep up with the mounting levels of the intoxicant that are poured into it.

Alcohol travels down your esophagus, into your stomach from where it spreads into your bloodstream. This blood then flows to your liver which metabolizes the alcohol by first breaking it down into simpler chemicals and finally into carbon dioxide and water for your system to excrete. Your liver is capable of converting only a certain amount of alcohol at a given point of time and if you inundate your system with larger amounts of alcohol than your liver can process, the alcohol stays back in the bloodstream, increasing the toxic levels of your blood tremendously.

The liver is the first to face the wrath which alcohol lashes out on your body. Alcohol makes your liver store excessive amounts of fat, which, if disregarded, can culminate in Alcohol Hepatitis. Although this condition can be averted by simply cutting down on your intake of alcohol at the early stages, it is relatively difficult to do so as Hepatitis does not boast of any typical traits which can be accorded to it. However, if you allow the inflammation of your liver to become chronic, your liver will begin to produce surplus amounts of bilirubin which results in jaundice and ultimately liver failure. Your alcohol abuse can also lead to the formation of scar tissue in your liver, which damages the healthy cells and prevents new ones from taking their place. Thus, your liver grows weaker and finally gives up on you, a condition which is known as Cirrhosis. This disease many take years to progress to its advanced stages and usually does not display any major symptoms before the disease is at its most crucial phases.

Alcohol is also a primary villain in the development of heart disease. Heavy drinking, over a period of time, damages the heart and leads to high blood pressure and even stroke. Further, alcoholism is also known to cause Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy, where your heart becomes weakened and enlarged on account of your prolonged alcohol abuse. Excessive intake of alcohol also increases the triglyceride levels, making you more vulnerable to heart disease.

Long-term alcohol abuse may lead to a condition called ‘Alcohol Dementia’ where your learning skills, memory and other cognitive abilities are severely disrupted. The reason for this disease lies in the damage alcohol causes to the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system. Over time, this condition develops to memory lapses and the alcoholic finds basic problem solving and performing tasks which require learning skills very difficult to accomplish. This condition may further develop into paranoia or Korsakoff psychosis, where the individual makes up intricate stories to make up for the lapses in his memory.

Alcoholism also puts the individual at a heightened risk of contracting Pancreatitis or a severe inflammation of the pancreas, which may increase his changes of contracting diabetes. Alcoholics are also prone to high blood pressure and obesity as a result of the high calorific value of alcohol. Further, alcohol can also wear out the lining of your stomach, thus impairing the absorption of many essential nutrients, eventually leading to further loss of appetite and eventually undernourishment. Excessive consumption of alcohol has also been found to be one of the influencing factors in the development of cancer of the mouth, liver, colon and gullet. Male alcoholics are also prone to erectile dysfunction, while women face disruptions in their menstrual cycle and can also cause severe complications during pregnancy.

Although research has proved that the body can absorb moderate levels of alcohol and even profit from the lowered risk of heart disease that alcohol grants, it is vital that you remember that drinking any more than three times a day, brings the negative traits if alcohol to the fore. There are several other, more proven ways to boost your cardiovascular health, like a well-planned diet and an active lifestyle which incorporates a reasonable amount of exercise. It may so happen that you, as a victim may very often be unaware of the devastating impact your consumption of alcohol is causing, as one of the primary symptoms of alcoholism. Many symptoms may not be discernible, until they are at their most crucial phases, which makes treating them a lot more difficult. So, the next time you set out on a night of mindless partying, which can’t do without frivolous amounts of alcohol, pay heed to that little voice which reminds you of all the damage you are inflicting on yourself and consider if that shot of vodka is indeed worth jeopardizing your physical and mental wellbeing