{{alcohealth}}
'''Alcoholism''' is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions. In common and historic usage, alcoholism refers to any condition that results in the continued consumption of [[alcoholic beverage]]s despite the health problems and negative social consequences it causes. Medical definitions describe alcoholism as a [[disease]] which results in a persistent use of alcohol despite negative consequences. Alcoholism may also refer to a preoccupation with or compulsion toward the consumption of alcohol and/or an impaired ability to recognize the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption. Although not all of these definitions specify current and on-going use of alcohol as a qualifier, some do, as well as remarking on the long-term effects of consistent, heavy alcohol use, including [[physical dependence|dependence]] and symptoms of [[withdrawal]].

While the ingestion of alcohol is, by definition, necessary to develop alcoholism, the use of alcohol does not predict the development of alcoholism. The quantity, frequency and regularity of alcohol consumption required to develop alcoholism varies greatly from person to person. In addition, although the biological mechanisms underpinning alcoholism are uncertain, some risk factors, including [[social environment]], [[emotional health]] and [[genetic predisposition]], have been identified.
[[Image:King Alcohol and his Prime Minister.jpg|thumb|225px|right|"King Alcohol and his Prime Minister" circa 1820]]

==Definitions and terminology==
The definitions of alcoholism and related terminology vary significantly between the medical community, treatment programs, and the general public.

===Medical definitions===
The [[Journal of the American Medical Association]] defines alcoholism as "a primary, chronic disease characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking."<ref>[http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/268/8/1012 The definition of alcoholism, The Joint Committee of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and the American Society of Addiction Medicine to Study the Definition and Criteria for the Diagnosis of Alcoholism, The Journal of the American Medical Association, 268(8), August 26, 1992]</ref>

The [[DSM-IV]] (the standard for diagnosis in psychiatry and psychology) defines [[alcohol abuse]] as repeated use despite recurrent adverse consequences.<ref name = "APA">''APA Dictionary of Psychology'', 1st ed., Gary R. VandenBos, ed., Washington: American Psychological Association, 2007 </ref> ; further defining [[alcohol dependence]] as ''alcohol abuse'' combined with [[Drug tolerance|tolerance]], [[withdrawal]], and an uncontrollable drive to drink.<ref name = "APA"/> (See ''DSM diagnosis'' below.)

According to the ''APA Dictionary of Psychology'', alcoholism is the popular term for ''alcohol dependence''.<ref name = "APA"/> Note that there is debate whether ''dependence'' in this use is physical (characterised by withdrawal), psychological (based on [[reinforcement]]), or both.

===Terminology===
{{Unreferencedsection|date=November 2007}}

Many terms are applied to a drinker's relationship with alcohol. ''Use'', ''misuse'', ''heavy use'', ''abuse'', ''addiction'', and ''dependence'' are all common labels used to describe drinking [[Habit (psychology)|habits]], but the actual meaning of these words can vary greatly depending upon the context in which they are used. Even within the medical field, the definition can vary between areas of specialization. The introduction of politics and religion further muddles the issue.

'''''Use''''' refers to simple use of a substance. An individual who drinks any alcoholic beverage is ''using'' alcohol. '''''Misuse''''', '''''problem use''''', and '''''heavy use''''' do not have standard definitions, but suggest consumption of alcohol beyond the point where it causes physical, social, or moral harm to the drinker. The definitions of social and moral harm are highly subjective and therefore differ from individual to individual.

Within politics, '''''abuse''''' is often used to refer to the illegal use of any substance. Within the broad field of medicine, ''abuse'' sometimes refers to use of prescription medications in excess of the prescribed dosage, sometimes refers to use of a prescription drug without a prescription, and sometimes refers to use that results in long-term health problems. Within religion, ''abuse'' can refer to any use of a poorly regarded substance. The term is often avoided because it can cause confusion with audiences that do not necessarily share a single definition.

'''''Remission''''' is often used to refer to a state where an alcoholic is no longer showing symptoms of alcoholism. The [[American Psychiatric Association]] considers remission to be a condition where the physical and mental symptoms of alcoholism are no longer evident, regardless of whether or not the person is still drinking. They further subdivide those in remission into '''''early''''' or '''''sustained''''', and '''''partial''''' or '''''full'''''. Others (most notably [[Alcoholics Anonymous]]) use the term '''''recovery''''' to describe those who have completely stopped consumption of alcohol, and have begun a process of addressing the underlying emotional and social predisposing factors.

==Etymology==
The term "alcoholism" was first used in 1849 by the physician [[Magnus Huss]] to describe the systematic adverse effects of alcohol.{{Fact|date=October 2007}}

In the [[United States]], use of the word "alcoholism" was largely popularized by the inception and growth of [[Alcoholics Anonymous]] in 1939. Although lacking a specific definition for alcoholism, AA's "Big Book{{Fact|date=October 2007}}" compares alcoholism to an allergy and an illness.

A 1960 study{{Fact|date=October 2007}} by [[E. Morton Jellinek]] proposed the earliest version of the modern [[disease theory of alcoholism]]. Jellinek's definition restricted the use of the word "alcoholism" to those showing a particular [[natural history of disease|natural history]]. The modern medical definition of alcoholism has been revised numerous times since then. The [[American Medical Association]] currently uses the word alcoholism to refer to a particular chronic primary disease.{{Fact|date=October 2007}}
A minority within the medical field, notably Herbert Fingarette and Stanton Peele, argue against the existence of this disease. However, critics of the disease model acknowledge that the word "alcoholism" refers to a disease, and use the term "heavy drinking" when discussing the negative effects of alcohol consumption.

==Epidemiology==

Substance use disorders are a major [[public health]] problem facing many countries. "The most common substance of abuse/dependence in patients presenting for treatment is alcohol."<ref name=Gabbard>Gabbard: "Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders". Published by the American Psychiatric Association: 3rd edition, 2001, ISBN 0-88048-910-3</ref> In the United Kingdom, the number of 'dependent drinkers' was calculated as over 2.8 million in 2001.<ref name=cosu>Cabinet Office Strategy Unit [http://www.strategy.gov.uk/downloads/files/econ.pdf Alcohol misuse: How much does it cost?] September 2003</ref> The [[World Health Organization]] estimates that about 140 million people throughout the world suffer from alcohol dependence.<ref>[http://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/2001/english/20010219_youngpeoplealcohol.en.html WHO European Ministerial Conference on Young People and Alcohol]</ref><ref>[http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2003/pr6/en/index.html WHO to meet beverage company representatives to discuss health-related alcohol issues]</ref>

Within the medical community, there is broad consensus regarding alcoholism as a disease state. Outside the medical community, there is considerable debate regarding the [[Disease Theory of Alcoholism]]. Proponents argue that any structural or functional disorder having a predictable course, or progression, should be classified as a disease. Opponents cite the inability to pin down the behavioral issues to a physical cause as a reason for avoiding classification.

A 2002 study by the [[National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism]] surveyed a group of 4,422 adult alcoholics and found that after one year some were no longer alcoholics,<ref name="NIAAA2002">[[National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism]] [http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jan2005/niaaa-18.htm 2001-2002 Survey Finds That Many Recover From Alcoholism] Press release 18 January 2005.</ref> with the breakdown as follows:
*25% still dependent
*27.3% in partial remission (some symptoms persist)
*11.8% asymptomatic drinkers (consumption increases chances of relapse)
*35.9% fully recovered — made up of 17.7% low-risk drinkers plus 18.2% abstainers.

==Identification and diagnosis==

Multiple tools are available to those wishing to conduct screening for alcoholism. Identification of alcoholism may be difficult because there is no detectable physiologic difference between a person who drinks frequently and a person with the condition. Identification involves an objective assessment regarding the damage that imbibing alcohol does to the drinker's life compared to the subjective benefits the drinker perceives from consuming alcohol. While there are many cases where an alcoholic's life has been significantly and obviously damaged, there are always borderline cases that can be difficult to classify.

''Addiction Medicine'' specialists have extensive training with respect to diagnosing and treating patients with alcoholism.

===Screening===
Several tools may be used to detect a loss of control of alcohol use. These tools are mostly [[self report study|self report]]s in questionnaire form. Another common theme is a score or tally that sums up the general severity of alcohol use.

* The [[CAGE questionnaire]], named for its four questions, is one such example that may be used to screen patients quickly in a doctor's office.

{{Quotation|Two "yes" responses indicate that the respondent should be investigated further.

The questionnaire asks the following questions:
# Have you ever felt you needed to '''C'''ut down on your drinking?
# Have people '''A'''nnoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
# Have you ever felt '''G'''uilty about drinking?
# Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning ('''E'''ye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?<ref>Ewing, John A. “Detecting Alcoholism: The CAGE Questionnaire” ''JAMA'' 252: 1905-1907, 1984</ref><ref>[http://www.lifewisewa.com/pdfs/012695.pdf CAGE Questionnaire] (PDF)</ref>}}

:The CAGE questionnaire, among others, has been extensively validated for use in identifying alcoholism. It is not valid for diagnosis of other substance use disorders, although somewhat modified versions of the CAGE are frequently implemented for such a purpose.

* The [[Alcohol Dependence Data Questionnaire]] is a more sensitive diagnostic test than the CAGE test.<ref>[http://eib.emcdda.eu.int/index.cfm?fuseaction=public.Content&nNodeID=3556&sLanguageISO=EN Alcohol Dependence Data Questionnaire (SADD)]</ref> It helps distinguish a diagnosis of alcohol dependence from one of heavy alcohol use.

* The [[Michigan Alcohol Screening Test]] (MAST) is a screening tool for alcoholism widely used by courts to determine the appropriate sentencing for people convicted of alcohol-related offenses,<ref>[http://www.ncadd-sfv.org/symptoms/mast_test.html Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST)]</ref> [[driving under the influence]] being the most common.

* The [[Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test]] (AUDIT) is a screening questionnaire developed by the [[World Health Organization]]. This test is unique in that it has been validated in six countries and is used internationally.<ref>[http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2001/WHO_MSD_MSB_01.6a.pdf AUDIT: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: Guidelines for Use in Primary Care]</ref> Like the CAGE questionnaire, it uses a simple set of questions - a high score earning a deeper investigation.

* The [[Paddington Alcohol Test]] (PAT) was designed to screen for alcohol related problems amongst those attending [[Accident and Emergency department]]s. It concords well with the AUDIT questionnaire but is administered in a fifth of the time.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Smith|first=SG|coauthors=R Touquet, S Wright and N Das Gupta|title=Detection of alcohol misusing patients in accident and emergency departments: the Paddington alcohol test (PAT)|journal=Journal of Accident and Emergency Medicine|volume=13|issue=5|pages=308-312|publisher=British Association for Accident and Emergency Medicine|date=Sep 1996|url=http://emj.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/5/308?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=1&title=Paddington+Alcohol+Test&andorexacttitle=and&andorexacttitleabs=and&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT,HWELTR|accessdate=2006-11-19}}</ref>

=== Genetic predisposition testing ===
Psychiatric geneticists John I. Nurnberger, Jr., and Laura Jean Bierut indicate that alcoholism does not have a single cause—including genetic—but that genes do play an important role "by affecting processes in the body and brain that [[Gene-environment interaction|interact with]] one another and with an individual's life experiences to produce protection or susceptibility." They also report that less than a dozen alcoholism-related genes have been identified, but that more likely await discovery.<ref name="Nurnberger">Nurnberger, Jr., John I., and Bierut, Laura Jean. [http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&colID=1&articleID=5C303E5F-E7F2-99DF-315ADC8A107AE976 "Seeking the Connections: Alcoholism and our Genes."] ''[[Scientific American]]'', Apr2007, Vol. 296, Issue 4.</ref>

At least one genetic test exists for an allele that is correlated to alcoholism and opiate addiction.<ref>New York Daily News (William Sherman) [http://www.nydailynews.com/city_life/health/story/390607p-331333c.html Test targets addiction gene] 11 February 2006</ref> Human dopamine receptor genes have a detectable variation referred to as the DRD2 TaqI polymorphism. Those who possess the [[Allele|A1 allele]] (variation) of this polymorphism have a small but significant tendency towards addiction to opiates and endorphin releasing drugs like alcohol.<ref>Ulf Berggren, Claudia Fahlke, Erik Aronsson, Aikaterini Karanti, Matts Eriksson, Kaj Blennow, Dag Thelle, Henrik Zetterberg and Jan Balldin [http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/41/5/479 The TaqIA DRD2 A1 Allele Is Associated with Alcohol-Dependence although its Effect Size Is Small] ''Alcohol and Alcoholism'' 2006 41(5):479-485; doi:10.1093/alcalc/agl043</ref> Although this allele is slightly more common in alcoholics and opiate addicts, it is not by itself an adequate predictor of alcoholism, and some researchers argue that evidence for DRD2 is contradictory.<ref name="Nurnberger"/>

Some writers posit that alcohol was discovered to be a replacement for polluted drinking water in early urban societies. In these conditions, alcohol's antimicrobial properties ([[pathogen]]s cannot survive in fermented beverages such as beer or wine) offset its health risk, and the slow death from [[cirrhosis]] of the liver was preferred to an early death from waterborne disease. This caused a selection pressure on the genes of humans who had abandoned the hunter-gatherer lifestyle towards people with genes which were not prone to overconsumption and drunkenness. Over generations, the descendants of these first farmers and urban dwellers became dominated by individuals who could drink more fermented beverages more often. This hypothesis explains why some groups who continued a predominately hunter-gatherer culture, such as Native Americans or Australian Aborigines, have such high rates of alcoholism today.<ref>A synopsis of the idea can be found in popular science writer [[Steven Berlin Johnson]]'s [[The Ghost Map]], Penguin Group (2006) pgs 103-104</ref>

===DSM diagnosis===
The [[DSM-IV]] diagnosis of alcohol dependence represents one approach to the definition of alcoholism. In part this is to assist in the development of research protocols in which findings can be compared with one another. According to the DSM-IV, an alcohol dependence diagnosis is:
{{quote|...maladaptive alcohol use with clinically significant impairment as manifested by at least three of the following within any one-year period: tolerance; withdrawal; taken in greater amounts or over longer time course than intended; desire or unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control use; great deal of time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from use; social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced; continued use despite knowledge of physical or psychological [[sequela]]e.}}

===Urine and blood tests===
There are reliable tests for the actual use of alcohol, one common test being that of [[blood alcohol content]] (BAC). These tests do not differentiate alcoholics from non-alcoholics; however, long-term heavy drinking does have a few recognizable effects on the body, including:

* [[Macrocytosis]] (enlarged [[Mean corpuscular volume|MCV]])¹
* Elevated [[Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase|GGT]]²
* Moderate elevation of [[Aspartate transaminase|AST]] and [[Alanine transaminase|ALT]] and an AST:ALT ratio of 2:1.
* High [[carbohydrate deficient transferrin]] (CDT)

==Effects==
{{Main|Alcohol consumption and health#Heavy consumption}}
The primary effect of alcoholism is to encourage the sufferer to drink at times and in amounts that are damaging. The secondary damage caused by an inability to control one's drinking manifests in many ways.

It is common for a person suffering from alcoholism to drink well after physical health effects start to manifest. The physical health effects associated with alcohol consumption may include [[cirrhosis]] of the liver, [[pancreatitis]], [[epilepsy]], [[polyneuropathy]], [[Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome|alcoholic dementia]], heart disease, increased chance of cancer, nutritional deficiencies, [[sexual dysfunction]], and death from many sources.

===Social effects===
The social problems arising from alcoholism can be significant. Being drunk or hung over during work hours can result in [[Termination of employment|loss of employment]], which can lead to financial problems including the loss of living quarters. Drinking at inappropriate times, and behavior caused by reduced judgment, can lead to legal consequences, such as criminal charges for [[drunk driving]] or public disorder, or civil penalties for [[tort]]ious behavior. An alcoholic's behavior and mental impairment while drunk can profoundly impact surrounding family and friends, possibly leading to [[marriage|marital conflict]] and [[divorce]], or contributing to [[domestic violence]]. This can contribute to lasting damage to the emotional development of the alcoholic's children, even after they reach adulthood. The alcoholic could suffer from loss of respect from others who may see the problem as self-inflicted and easily avoided.

===Alcohol withdrawal===
Alcohol withdrawal differs significantly from most other drugs because it can be directly fatal. While it is possible for [[heroin]] addicts, for instance, to die from other health problems made worse by the strain of withdrawal, an otherwise healthy alcoholic can die from the direct effects of withdrawal if it is not properly managed. Heavy consumption of alcohol reduces the production of [[GABA]], which is a [[neuroinhibitor]]. An abrupt stop of alcohol consumption can induce a condition where neither alcohol nor GABA exists in the system in adequate quantities, causing uncontrolled firing of the synapses. This manifests as hallucinations, shakes, convulsions, seizures, and possible heart failure, all of which are collectively referred to as [[delirium tremens]]. All of these withdrawal issues can be safely controlled with a medically supervised detox.

==Treatments==
Treatments for alcoholism are quite varied because there are multiple perspectives for the condition itself. Those who approach alcoholism as a medical condition or disease recommend differing treatments than, for instance, those who approach the condition as one of social choice.

Most treatments focus on helping people discontinue their alcohol intake, followed up with life training and/or social support in order to help them resist a return to alcohol use. Since alcoholism involves multiple factors which encourage a person to continue drinking, they must all be addressed in order to successfully prevent a relapse. An example of this kind of treatment is detoxification followed by a combination of supportive therapy, attendance at self-help groups, and ongoing development of coping mechanisms. The treatment community for alcoholism typically supports an abstinence-based [[zero tolerance]] approach; however, there are some who promote a harm-reduction approach as well.<ref name=Gabbard/>

===Effectiveness===
The effectiveness of alcoholism treatments varies widely. When considering the effectiveness of treatment options, one must consider the success rate based on those who enter a program, not just those who complete it. Since completion of a program is the qualification for success, success among those who complete a program is generally near 100%. It is also important to consider not just the rate of those reaching treatment goals but the rate of those relapsing. Results should also be compared to the roughly 5% rate at which people will quit on their own.<ref>Spontaneous Recovery in Alcoholics: A Review and Analysis of the Available Research, by R. G. Smart Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Vol. 1, 1975-1976, p. 284.</ref> A year after completing a rehab program, about a third of alcoholics are sober, an additional 40 percent are substantially improved but still drink heavily on occasion, and a quarter have completely relapsed.<ref>Based on information from Dr. Mark Willenbring of the [[National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism]], the February 2007 issue of ''Newsweek'' - Adler, Jerry; Underwood, Anne; Kelley, Raina; Springen, Karen; Breslau, Karen. "[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17083397/site/newsweek/page/0/ Rehab Reality Check]" ''Newsweek'', 2/19/2007, Vol. 149 Issue 8, p44-46, 3p, 4c</ref>

===Detoxification===
{{main|Alcohol detoxification}}
[[Alcohol detoxification]] or 'detox' for alcoholics is an abrupt stop of alcohol drinking coupled with the substitution of drugs that have similar effects to prevent [[Alcoholism#Alcohol withdrawal| alcohol withdrawal]].

Detoxification treats the physical effects of prolonged use of alcohol, but does not actually treat alcoholism. After detox is complete, relapse is likely without further treatment. These rehabilitations (or 'rehabs') may take place in an [[Inpatient#Outpatient vs inpatient|inpatient or outpatient]] setting.

===Group therapy and psychotherapy===
After detoxification, various forms of [[group therapy]] or [[psychotherapy]] can be used to deal with underlying psychological issues that are related to alcohol addiction, as well as provide relapse prevention skills.

The mutual-help group-counseling approach is one of the most common ways of helping alcoholics maintain sobriety. Many organizations have been formed to provide this service, including [[Alcoholics Anonymous]], [[LifeRing Secular Recovery]], [[Rational Recovery]], [[SMART Recovery]], [[Al-Anon/Alateen]], and [[Women For Sobriety]].

===Rationing and moderation===
Rationing and moderation programs such as [[Moderation Management]] and The [[HAMS Harm Reduction Network]] do not mandate complete abstinence. While most alcoholics are unable to limit their drinking in this way, some return to moderate drinking. A 2002 U.S. study by the [[National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism]] (NIAAA) showed that 17.7% of individuals diagnosed as alcohol dependent more than one year prior returned to low-risk drinking. However, this group showed fewer initial symptoms of dependency.<ref name="NIAAA2002"/>

===Medications===
Although not necessary for treatment of alcoholism, a variety of medications may be prescribed as part of treatment. Some may ease the transition to sobriety, while others cause physical hardship to result from the use of alcohol. In most cases the desired effect is to have an alcoholic abstain from drinking.

* ''[[Antabuse]]'' ([[disulfiram]]) prevents the elimination of [[acetaldehyde]], a chemical the body produces when breaking down ethanol. Acetaldehyde itself is the cause of many [[hangover]] symptoms from alcohol use. The overall effect is severe discomfort when alcohol is ingested: an extremely fast-acting and long-lasting uncomfortable hangover. This discourages an alcoholic from drinking in significant amounts while they take the medicine. Heavy drinking while on antabuse can cause severe illness and death.

* ''[[Naltrexone]]'' is a [[competitive antagonist]] for opioid receptors, effectively blocking our ability to use endorphins and opiates. Naltrexone is used in two very different forms of treatment. The first treatment uses naltrexone to decrease cravings for alcohol and encourage abstinence. The other treatment, called [[Sinclair Method|pharmacological extinction]], combines naltrexone with normal drinking habits in order to reverse the endorphin conditioning that causes alcohol addiction. Naltrexone comes in two forms. Oral naltrexone, originally but no longer available as the brand ReVia, is a pill form and must be taken daily to be effective. [[Vivitrol]] is a time-release formulation that is injected in the buttocks once a month.

* ''[[Piracetam]]'' appears to be effective in treating alcoholism or its symptoms in [[clinical studies]].<ref>Skondia, V. & Kabes, J., "Piracetam in alcoholic psychoses: a double-blind, crossover, placebo controlled study", ''J Int Med Res'' '''13''', (1985) pp.185-187.</ref><ref>S Kalmár, [http://www.ionchannels.org/showabstract.php?pmid=12809069 Adjuvant therapy with parenteral piracetam in alcohol withdrawal delirium], ''Orv Hetil'' (2003) '''144''': pp.927-30.</ref><ref>Buranji I, Skocilic Z, Kozaric-Kovacic D. "[http://www.piracetam.com/piracetam-40.htm Cognitive function in alcoholics in a double-blind study of piracetam], ''Lijec Vjesn'' 1990 Mar-Apr;112(3-4):111-4.</ref><ref>Dencker SJ, Wilhelmson G, Carlsson E, Bereen FJ. "[http://www.piracetam.com/piracetam-42.htm Piracetam and chlormethiazole in acute alcohol withdrawal: a controlled clinical trial.]" ''J Int Med Res'' 1978;6(5):395-400.</ref><ref>Meyer JG, Forst R, Meyer-Wahl L. "[http://www.piracetam.com/piracetam-41.htm Course of alcoholic predelirium during treatment with piracetam: results of serial psychometric tests (author's transl)]", ''Dtsch Med Wochenschr'' 1979 Jun 22;104(25):911-4</ref><ref>Binder S, Doddabela P. "[http://www.piracetam.com/piracetam-43.htm The efficacy of Piracetam on the mental functional capacity of chronic alcoholics (author's transl)]", ''Med Klin'' 1976 Apr 23;71(17):711-6</ref> Piracetam appears to reduce levels of [[lipofuscin]] in the rat brain.<ref>Paula-Barbosa, M. ''et al'', "[http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1530-0277.1991.tb00610.x?journalCode=acer The effects of Piracetam on lipofuscin of the rat cerebellar and hippocampa; neurons after long-term alcohol treatment and withdrawal]", ''Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research'' '''15''', (1991) pp. 834-838.</ref> (Lipofuscin accumulation is common symptom of [[aging]] and alcoholism).

* ''[[Acamprosate]]'' (also known as [[Campral]]) is thought to stabilize the chemical balance of the brain that would otherwise be disrupted by alcoholism. The [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) approved this drug in 2004, saying "While its mechanism of action is not fully understood, Campral is thought to act on the brain pathways related to alcohol abuse...Campral proved superior to placebo in maintaining abstinence for a short period of time..."<ref>{{cite web| title=FDA Approves New Drug for Treatment of Alcoholism | accessdate=2006-04-02 | url=http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/answers/2004/ANS01302.html}}"</ref> While effective alone, it is often paired with other medication treatments like naltrexone with great success.<ref>{{cite web | title=Effect of oral acamprosate on abstinence in patients with alcohol dependence in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial: The role of patient motivation. | year=2006-03-17 | accessdate=2006-04-10 | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16546214&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=COMBINED ACAMPROSATE AND NALTREXONE, WITH COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY IS SUPERIOR TO EITHER MEDICATION ALONE FOR ALCOHOL ABSTINENCE: A SINGLE CENTRES' EXPERIENCE WITH PHARMACOTHERAPY. | year=2006-02-08 | accessdate=2006-04-10 | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16467406&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum}}</ref> Acamprosate reduces glutamate release. The COMBINE study was unable to determine the presence of efficacy for Acamprosate.<ref>{{cite web | title=Naltrexone or Specialized Alcohol Counseling an Effective Treatment for Alcohol Dependence When Delivered with Medical Management | year=2006-05-02 | url=http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/NewsEvents/NewsReleases/COMBINERelease.htm}}</ref>

* ''[[Topiramate]]'' (brand name Topamax), a derivative of the naturally occurring sugar monosaccharide D-fructose, has been found effective in helping alcoholics quit or cut back on the amount they drink. In one study heavy drinkers were six times more likely to remain abstinent for a month if they took the medication, even in small doses.<ref> Johnson, Bankole A., et al. Oral topiramate for treatment of alcohol dependence: a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 2003, 361(9370), 1677-1685: Swift, B. Topiramate for the treatment of alcohol dependence: initiating abstinence. The Lancet, 2003, 361(9370), 1666-1667 </ref> In another study, those who received topiramate had fewer heavy drinking days, fewer drinks per day and more days of continuous abstinence than those who received the placebo.<ref> Johnson, Bankole A., et al. Topiramate for Treating Alcohol Dependence - A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 2007 (October), 298(14), 1641-1651 </ref> Topiramate works by reducing dopamine so that drinkers no longer get any pleasure from consuming alcohol and is the only medication shown to be effective for persons who are still drinking.

* ''[[Sodium oxybate]]'' is the sodium salt of [[gamma-hydroxybutyric acid]] (GHB). It is used for both acute alcohol withdrawal and medium to long-term detoxification. This drug enhances GABA neurotransmission and reduces glutamate levels. It is used in [[Italy]] in small amounts under the trade name [[Alcover]].

* ''[[Baclofen]]'' has been shown in animal studies and in small human studies to enhance detoxification. This drug acts as a GABA B receptor agonist and this may be beneficial.

===Pharmacological extinction===
{{seealso|Sinclair Method}}
Pharmacological extinction is the use of [[opioid antagonists]] like [[naltrexone]] combined with normal drinking habits to eliminate the craving for alcohol.<ref name=contral>[http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/36/1/2 Evidence about the use of naltrexone and for different ways of using it in the treatment of alcoholism]</ref> The simple description is that the use of opioid antagonists reverses the effect that alcohol consumption has on alcohol addiction.<ref name=contral /> When consuming alcohol with a proper dose of opioid antagonist in the drinker's system, the drinker will become less addicted to alcohol instead of more. This technique has been used to successfully treat tens of thousands of alcoholics in Finland,<ref>ContrAl Clinics [http://www.contral.com/results.html ContrAl Results]</ref> Pennsylvania,<ref>[http://www.sinclairmethod.com/sinclairmethod.htm The Sinclair Method]</ref> and Florida,<ref>[http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/recovery/consumers/ University of Pennsylvania Health System]</ref> and is sometimes referred to as the [[Sinclair Method]].

While standard naltrexone treatment uses the drug to curb craving and enforce abstinence, pharmacological extinction targets the endorphin-based neurological conditioning. Our behaviors become conditioned when our neurons are bathed in endorphins following that action. Conversely, we receive [[negative reinforcement]] when we perform that action and yet do not get our endorphins. By having the alcoholic go about their normal drinking habits (limited only by safety concerns), and while preventing the endorphins from being released by the alcohol, the pull to drink is eliminated over a period of about three months. This allows an alcoholic to give up drinking as being sensibly unbeneficial. The effects persist after the drug is discontinued, but the addiction can return if the person drinks without first taking the drug. This treatment is also highly unusual in that it works better if the patient does not go through detoxification before starting it. Clinical studies have shown this treatment to allow 78-87% of inductees to reduce their drinking below levels dangerous to health, and allow 25% of inductees to achieve complete abstinence. Follow-up studies indicate an overall 50% relapse rate over five years, and 2% relapse rate for those who continue to take naltrexone before drinking.

There is a lot of professional resistance to this treatment for two reasons. Studies have demonstrated that controlled drinking for alcoholics was not a useful treatment technique.<ref>Pendery et al. Controlled drinking by alcoholics? New findings and a reevaluation of a major affirmative study. ''Science'' 1982 Jul 9;217 (4555):169-75</ref> Other studies have also shown naltrexone to be of questionable value in supporting abstinence alone.<ref>Renault, P.F. (1978) Treatment of heroin-dependent persons with antagonists: Current status. Bulletin on Narcotics 30: 21-29 ¶ Renault, P.F. (1980) Treatment of heroin dependent persons with antagonists: Current status. In: Naltrexone: Research Monograph 28, Willett, R.E., and Barnett, G., (eds.), Washington, DC: National Institute of Drug Abuse, 11 22.</ref><ref>O'Malley, S.S., Jaffe, A.J., Rode, S., and Rounsaville, B.J. (1996) Experience of a “slip'' among alcoholics treated with Naltrexone or placebo. American Journal of Psychiatry, 153(2): 281-283.</ref><ref>Maxwell, S., and Shinderman, M.S. (1997) Naltrexone in the treatment of dually-diagnosed patients. ''Journal of Addictive Diseases'' 16: A27, 125, 1997 ¶ Maxwell, S., and Shinderman M.S. (2000) Use of Naltrexone in the treatment of alcohol use disorders in patients with concomitant severe mental illness. ''Journal of Addictive Diseases'' 19:61-69.</ref> The individual failure of these two separate treatments is inappropriately presumed to indicate that their use in combination is equally ineffective.

===Nutritional therapy===
Preventative treatment of alcohol complications includes long-term use of a multivitamin as well as such specific vitamins as B12 and folate.

While nutritional therapy is not a treatment of alcoholism itself, it treats the difficulties that can arise after years of heavy alcohol use. Many alcohol dependents have [[Insulin resistance|insulin resistance syndrome]], a metabolic disorder where the body's difficulty in processing [[sugar]]s causes an unsteady supply to the blood stream. While the disorder can be diminished by a [[hypoglycemic]] diet, this can affect behavior and emotions, side-effects often seen among alcohol dependents in treatment. The metabolic aspects of such dependence are often overlooked, causing poor treatment outcomes.<ref>[http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia]</ref>

==Societal impact==

The various health problems associated with long-term alcohol consumption are generally perceived as detrimental to society, for example, money due to lost labor-hours, medical costs, and secondary treatment costs. Alcohol use is a major contributing factor for [[head injury|head injuries]], [[motor vehicle accident]]s, violence, and assaults. Beyond money, there is also the [[pain and suffering]] of the all individuals besides the alcoholic affected. For instance, alcohol consumption by a pregnant woman can lead to [[Fetal alcohol syndrome]],<ref>CDC. (2004). ''Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Guidelines for Referral and Diagnosis''. Can be downloaded at http://www.cdc.gov/fas/faspub.htm</ref> an incurable and damaging condition.<ref>Streissguth, A. (1997). ''Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A Guide for Families and Communities''. Baltimore: Brookes Publishing. ISBN 1-55766-283-5.</ref>

Estimates of the economic costs of alcohol abuse, collected by the World Health Organization, vary from one to six per cent of a country's GDP.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=World Health Organization | url=http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/global_status_report_2004_overview.pdf | format=PDF | title=Global Status Report on Alcohol 2004 | accessdate=2007-01-03 }}</ref> One Australian estimate pegged alcohol's social costs at 24 per cent of all drug abuse costs; a similar Canadian study concluded alcohol's share was 41 per cent.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=World Health Organization Global Alcohol Database | url=http://www.who.int/globalatlas/dataQuery/objectInterface.asp?objID=359&boCat=&p=null&lvl=0&catID=520700000000&level=2 | accessdate=2007-01-03 | title=Economic cost of alcohol consumption }}</ref>

A study quantified the cost to the UK of ''all'' forms of alcohol misuse as £18.5–20 billion annually (2001 figures).<ref>{{cite web | publisher=BBC | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3122244.stm | title=Q&A: The costs of alcohol | date=19 September 2003 }}</ref><ref name=cosu/>

===Stereotypes===
[[Image:Imlauer Ihr zu Fuessen 1883.jpg|thumb|right|175px|Depiction of a wino or town drunk]]
[[Stereotype]]s of alcoholics are often found in [[fiction]] and [[popular culture]]. Common examples include the '[[town drunk]]' or the portrayal of certain nationalities as alcoholics, particularly the [[Irish people|Irish]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.finfacts.ie/Private/bestprice/alcoholdrinkconsumptionpriceseurope.htm | title=World/Global Alcohol/Drink Consumption 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://clippednews.wordpress.com/2007/03/14/the-worlds-drunks-the-irish/ | title=The World’s Drunks: The Irish }}</ref> In modern times, the recovery movement has led to more realistic depictions of problems that stem from heavy alcohol use. Authors such as [[Charles R. Jackson]] and [[Charles Bukowski]] describe their own alcohol addiction in their writings. Films like ''[[Days of Wine and Roses (film)|Days of Wine and Roses]]'', ''[[My Name is Bill W.]]'', ''[[Arthur (film)|Arthur]]'', ''[[Leaving Las Vegas]]'', and ''[[The Lost Weekend (film)|The Lost Weekend]]'', chronicle similar stories of alcoholism.

===Politics and public health===
{{details|Addiction recovery groups}}
Because alcohol use disorders are perceived as impacting society as a whole, governments and parliaments have formed alcohol policies in order to reduce the harm of alcoholism. The [[World Health Organization]], the [[European Union]] and other regional bodies are working on alcohol action plans and programs.

==See also==

* [[Adult Children of Alcoholics]]
* [[Alcohol consumption and health]]
* [[Alcohol-related traffic crashes]]
* [[Alcohol tolerance]]
* [[Drunkenness]]
* [[Ethanol Metabolism]] biochemical discussion of alcohol metabolism
* [[List of deaths through alcohol]]
* [[List of iconic drinkers]]
* [[Substance abuse]]
* [[Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome]]
* Medical diagnostics to test for alcohol use
** [[Blood alcohol content]]
** [[Full blood count]]
** [[Liver function tests]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* Berry, Ralph E.; Boland James P. ''The Economic Cost of Alcohol Abuse'' The Free Press, New York, 1977 ISBN 0-02-903080-3
* Royce, James E. and Scratchley, David ''Alcoholism and Other Drug Problems'' Free Press, March 1996 ISBN-10: 0-684-82314-4 ISBN-13: 978-0-684-82314-0
* Valliant, George E., ''[[The Natural History of Alcoholism Revisited]], Harvard University Press, May 1995 ISBN-10: 0-674-60378-8 ISBN-13: 978-0-674-60378-3
*Pence, Gregory, "Kant on Whether Alcoholism is a Disease," Ch. 2, The Elements of Bioethics, McGraw-Hill Books, 2007 ISBN-10: 0-073-13277-2.
* Milam, Dr. James R. and Ketcham, Katherine ''Under The Influence: A Guide to the Myths and Realities of Alcoholism.'' Bantam, 1983, ISBN 0-553-27487-2
*Warren Thompson, MD, FACP. “[http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic98.htm Alcoholism].” Emedicine.com, June 6, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
*[http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Social/Module2Etiology&NaturalHistory/Module2.html Etiology and Natural History of Alcoholism]. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

==External links==
* [http://www.baldwinresearch.com/index.cfm Baldwin Research Institute] Independent Research on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction
* [http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/36/1/2 Invited Interview from the Oxford Journal of Medicine] on the use of Naltrexone to treat alcoholism
* [http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/ National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)]
*[http://www.impulsecontroldisorders.org/ University of Minnesota Impulse Control Disorders Clinic] Provides useful information and resources for patients and their families, including free questionnaire-based rating scales that patients can use to assess and track the severity of their condition.
* Alcohol and Drug Usage Self-Tests: [http://counsellingresource.com/quizzes/alcohol-cage/index.html CAGE Questionnaire for Alcohol Dependence], [http://counsellingresource.com/quizzes/alcohol-mast/index.html Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST)], and [http://counsellingresource.com/quizzes/drug-abuse/index.html Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST)]

* [http://www.alcoholscreening.org/ AlcoholScreening.org Anonymous self-screening for harmful or hazardous alcohol use]
* [http://www.counseling.caltech.edu/drug/selftest/test1.html An online version of AUDIT].

[[Category:Alcohol abuse]]
[[Category:Drinking culture]]
[[Category:Social stigma]]
[[Category:Substance-related disorders]]

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