norml22 - Page 36
Page 36
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useu and discontinued use precipitates a severe withdrawal syndrome
similar to that of barbiturate withdrawal and marked by hallucinations
and delirium tremors which can lead to death° /__, at 292. What is
commonly called "aicoho!ism '_ is actually physical addiction to the drug
alcohol. Steven B. Duke and Albert C° Gross write in their recent book
__eriGa_Lg_D___Wa_:
The adverse health consequences of chronic heavy
drinking are staggering° When taken in large
quantities- perhaps three or four ounces per day-
alcohol is a poison that rivals nicotine in its
pernicious effects on the human body. As stated in
_l__QhQ/_an__Health_ the Seve_i_h__De_ia__B_rt_t
_Q/LqKgss_ 1990_ "Alcohol affects almost every organ
system in the body directly or indirectly° It
causes three types of liver damage: fatty
deposits, hepatitis, and cirrhosis, the ninth
leading cause of death in 19S6° Regular alcohol
use can precipitate esophagitis_ exacerbate peptic
ulcers and increase the risk of gastroinitestinal
cancer and pancreatitis. Chronic alcohol abuse
contributes to cardiac dysfunction and other
cardiovascular disorders, incuiding hypertension°
Alcohol also adversely affects immune, endocrine
and reproductive functions°
Heavy_ prolonged alcohol consumption also takes a
terrible toll on the human brains causing dementia, blackouts_
seizures_ hallucinations and peripheral neuropahty. Alcohol-related
dementia accounts for nearly 20 percent of all admissions to state
mental hospitals. Brain cells are destroyed and atrophy is produced,
with loss of memory and impaired learning capacities.
There are more than 1 million short-term _ hospit
alizat
ions
every
year
that
involv
e
alcho
_v_/_-_ _ _/
/ relate
!_"
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