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Addiction > Alcohol

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Topics

Estimated time: 14 minutes
CISCE: Class 12

Introduction

Alcohol is a depressant drug that acts as a sedative, tranquilliser, hypnotic, or anaesthetic on the central nervous system, slowing down brain and body function rather than stimulating it.

Addiction is a compulsive physiological and psychological dependence on a substance, accompanied by tolerance (needing more to get the same effect) and withdrawal symptoms on stopping use.

CISCE: Class 12

Types of Alcoholic Beverages

Category Method Examples
Fermented Sugars converted to alcohol by yeast (no distillation) Wine, Beer
Distilled Fermented liquid further concentrated by distillation Whisky, Brandy, Rum
CISCE: Class 12

Risk Factors for Alcohol Addiction

  • Individual psychological and physical predisposition
  • Environmental influences (peer pressure, family environment)
  • Occupational stress – particularly high risk among workers in the alcoholic beverage trade
CISCE: Class 12

Dependence and Withdrawal Syndrome

Dependence develops when the body/mind requires the substance to function normally. Stopping intake triggers withdrawal syndrome.

Withdrawal Symptoms:

  • Anxiety
  • Shakiness (tremors)
  • Nausea
  • Sweating
  • Severe cases: life-threatening complications (e.g., seizures)
CISCE: Class 12

Effects of Alcoholism

Alcoholism affects five major life domains: mental, physical, professional, domestic, and social.

Mental/Psychological Effects

  • Anxiety, tension, depression
  • Phobia
  • Schizophrenia-like symptoms (delusions, hallucinations)
  • Korsakoff's syndrome (memory disorder)
  • Alcoholic dementia

Physical Effects (Organ-wise)

Body System Effects
Nervous System Polyneuritis, dropfoot
Liver Fatty liver → Hepatitis → Cirrhosis
Stomach Gastritis
Heart Cardiomyopathy
Blood Anaemia, bleeding tendencies
Pancreas Pancreatitis
Cancer Risk Increased risk of certain cancers

Cirrhosis Complications:

  • Blood vomiting (haematemesis)
  • Bleeding piles
  • Varicose veins in oesophagus and rectum
CISCE: Class 12

Management and Treatment

Approach Details
Psychological Treatment Counselling, group therapy, behaviour therapy
Social Rehabilitation Reintegration support, family/community involvement
Drug Therapy (Detoxification) Vitamins, anticonvulsants
Deterrent Drugs Antabuse (Disulfiram), Naltrexone (ReVia), Abstem (CCC)
CISCE: Class 12

Key Points: Alcohol

Aspect Details
Nature Alcoholic beverages are depressants that lower the activity of the brain.
Types Alcohol is classified into fermented (wine and beer) and distilled forms (whisky, brandy, and rum).
Addiction Alcoholism is dependence on alcohol causing mental, physical, social and professional problems.
Effects on body Alcohol damages the brain, liver, nervous system, heart, stomach and blood.
Treatment Management includes counselling, behavioural therapy, social rehabilitation and drug therapy.
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