Description: Alcoholism is a chronic condition marked by a dependence on alcohol. It is a progressive disease that often begins with acceptable social drinking. The progression leads to drinking for every mood: to calm down, to perk up, to celebrate, and so on. The alcoholic soon needs no excuse to drink and in time, is completely controlled by his or her dependence on alcohol. Alcoholics are often ashamed and angry at their compulsive behavior and harbor deep feelings of inadequacy. They may also begin taking out their frustrations on those closest to them.

Symptoms: In alcoholics, each drink triggers a craving for another. Hangovers are mild versions of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which causes delirium tremens (DTs) in alcoholics. The hangover headache is prompted in part by alcohol’s relaxing effect on the blood vessels; when the blood vessels of the head open too much, they trigger the pain nerves. Alcohol is also a diuretic, so fluid loss contributes to the morning-after thirst and can add to head pain. Nausea and vomiting are due to alcohol’s irritating effect on the stomach and its many ill effects on the central nervous system. The fatigue and general sick-all-over feeling is a result of alcohol’s depressant effect plus a building of acids in the blood (acidosis). The chemical acetaldehyde may also accumulate in the blood, causing flushing. Additives and impurities in alcohol also contribute to hangovers.

As far as the body is concerned, alcohol is a poison. Alcoholism causes metabolic damage to every cell in the body, and it depresses the immune system. Some of the effects of chronic alcohol consumption include damage to the liver, pancreas, brain, nerves, duodenum, central nervous system, and cardiovascular system. Alcohol is broken down in the liver, and the toxic effect of alcohol on the liver is very serious. First, excessive amounts of fat accumulate in the liver; next, the alcoholic may develop hepatitis, a condition in which liver cells become inflamed and may die. The final, usually fatal, stage of liver damage is cirrhosis of the liver, a disease characterized by inflammation, hardening and scarring of the liver.

There are many other health consequences of alcoholism as well. Alcoholics often experience damage to the peripheral nervous systems. This damage may show up initially as a loss of sensation in the hands or feet, with accompanying difficulty in walking. Chronic drinking also causes inflammation of the pancreas, which can lead to diabetes. Alcoholics face an increased risk of mouth and throat cancer due to the toxicity of alcohol. They may also experience high blood pressure, reduced testosterone production, visible dilation of blood vessels just beneath the skin’s surface, and pathological enlargement of the heart that can progress to congestive heart failure. In addition, alcohol abuse takes a tremendous toll on society through traffic and other accidents, poor job performance, and emotional damage to entire families.

Alcoholics who stop drinking often experience withdrawal symptoms, especially during the first week or so that they abstain from alcohol. Insomnia, visual and auditory hallucinations, convulsions, acute anxiety, rapid pulse, profuse perspiration, and fever can occur. With time and appropriate supervision if necessary, these symptoms pass, and the alcoholic is set free to begin the lifelong work of recovery.

Incidence: Problems with alcohol are fairly common in the United States. It is estimated that of the 75 percent of all Americans that drink, one in ten can be expected to have a problem with excessive alcohol consumption. Although alcoholism affects more men than women, the incidence of alcoholism among women is on the rise, as is the use of alcohol by children, adolescents, and college students.

Causes: Alcoholism is unique to each individual; no two cases are alike. Some people drink moderate to heavy amounts of alcohol for years before becoming clinically dependent on it; other may become addicted to alcohol the very first time they ever take a drink. There is considerable debate as to whether alcoholism is the result of an addictive gene or of environment. While there is considerable evidence to support both sides, the truth probably lies somewhere in between; alcoholism is probably the result of a combination of genetics and environment.

Treatments: Alcoholics need to supplement all the known vitamins and minerals. It is clear that some alcoholics can be helped dramatically with large doses of vitamin and mineral supplements, taken with copious amounts of water, fresh fruits and vegetables and juices. However, nutrients alone will not eliminate cravings for alcohol. For the alcoholic, total abstinence is essential.

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2^nd Edition

By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.

Prevention’s Healing with Vitamins, by the Editors of

Prevention Magazine Health Books

Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide

Compiled by Burton Goldberg

Brave New Cures, by Julian Whitaker, M.D.