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Article: Alcoholism
- Article from:
- UXL Complete Health Resource
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 The Gale Group, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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ALCOHOLISM
DEFINITION
Alcoholism is the popular term for two disorders: alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. The key element of these disorders is that a person's use of alcohol has repeatedly caused problems in his or her life. Alcoholism has serious consequences on a person's health and personal life, on family and friends, and on society at large.
DESCRIPTION
The effects of alcoholism on the body are quite far-reaching. Alcohol abuse can result in poor nutrition, memory disorders, difficulty with walking and balance, liver disease, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, heart problems, anemia (a blood disorder that causes weakness and fatigue; see anemias entry), problems with ...