DEAR DR. GOTT: Please list the effects that alcohol has on the body, and I mean all of them, such as how it makes a person look older and the harm drinking causes.
DEAR READER: Alcoholism is truly a disease with far-reaching effects on the individual who imbibes, as well as virtually on everyone surrounding him or her. Initial social drinking, sometimes with as little as one or two drinks, can change a passive personality into an aggressive, raucous, life-of-the-party person — for a while. However, as the habit progresses, the price everyone pays can become greater, more destructive and devastating.
There is no particular social group under which the alcoholic falls. He or she may be penniless and living on the streets or may be a top-notch executive with an excellent job. Alcoholics, whether men, women, or unfortunately teens and sometimes younger children, come from every race, creed and walk of life. It appears no one is exempt.
Alcohol literally affects the entire body. Long-term drinkers may experience lengthier residual effects of slurred speech, impaired memory, blurred vision, inappropriate thinking and actions, and periods of blackouts with no memory of what happened or what was said.
Overall general health for the alcoholic is often modified because a person ultimately prefers to drink rather than eat a well-balanced diet and becomes sedentary rather than exercise. Nutrients are received in liquid form. A person tends to become less social, cantankerous, depressed, hurtful, easily frustrated, looks for confrontation, and fails to consider the feelings of others.
As the disease progresses, he or she begins drinking earlier each day and continues drinking longer into the night. Sadly, he or she may awaken in the morning without a clue as to the havoc created. Marriages and family relationships are irreparably severed.
The work day is affected, as alcoholics scheme up methods of keeping their secret from those around them and/or ways of getting more alcohol. Days off from work with lame excuses follow until the person is often simply let go from a profession that may literally put food on the family table. The financial impact is gigantic.
The skin becomes prematurely wrinkled. The liver begins to malfunction, and the heart and brain are adversely affected.
Help is available IF AND WHEN THE ALCOHOLIC IS READY. I cannot stress the “ready” portion of my statement enough. Denial is an enormous obstacle. Pleas will commonly fall on deaf ears, and no amount of complaining will have much of an effect.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an excellent means for the alcoholic to confront this devastating disease, taking appropriate steps to reverse things. Al-Anon and Ala-Teen support groups can help. Check your local newspaper for meeting locations. Rehab facilities are also abundant to get them back on track.
If you are associated with a problem drinker and your efforts have had no effect, I recommend professional help. A counselor, minister or other person he or she looks up to might be able to get through where you have not. In the interim, join a group to help yourself understand the disease.
