What are the day-to-day effects of alcoholism?
Those who develop a growing dependence on alcohol usually start to drink earlier and earlier in the day, often secretly. They become more irritable and aggressive, less reliable and prone to memory loss or even blackouts. In the early stages they tend to deny they have a problem. Later, depression, paranoia and severe difficulties with memory and concentration can set in. The voice becomes husky, the face flushed and red. Chronic stomach ache due to gastric erosion and gastritis, and cirrhosis of the liver are both common. If the craving for alcohol is not satisfied alcoholics get delirium tremens (‘the shakes’) and other symptoms. The heavy drinker’s family and friends usually pay a high price too, of course. Violence, abuse and dishonesty go hand in hand with alcoholism, and children are rarely immune from the ordeal one way or another. How can alcoholics get help? There is plenty of professional help available for people who think they might have a drink problem. Most doctors and sp
