Chronic Alcoholism May Be A Form Of Drug Addiction
Drugs are defined as substances that, once introduced into the body, modify the activity of the body organs otherwise than by augmenting the supply of available energy. Using this definition, can it then be said that alcohol qualifies as a drug?
There is no denying that alcohol is used mainly because of certain effects considered gratifying by some people, which are similar in many ways to those of certain drugs. We have to understand that alcohol affects mainly the central nervous system, especially the brain.
To give a more or less accurate comparison, alcohol works in much the same way as tranquilizers or barbiturates do – it depresses the central nervous system. With alcohol, muscle coordination is impaired and reflexes are slowed. It removes the user’s inhibitions, in the process impairing his intellectual functions; he is virtually handicapped when it comes to exercising his judgment.
Can it then be said, too, that chronic alcoholism is a form of drug addiction?
The answer is obvious – yes. In chronic alcoholism, the drinker uses alcohol to relieve anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy. In some instances, he turns to alcohol to alleviate his physical problems. In the worst of cases, he makes drinking the focus of his life. These situations are typical in many cases of drug addiction.
The danger here is that chronic alcoholism may lead to alcohol poisoning, with results similar to that in potent drug overdose. With increasing concentrations of alcohol in the user’s body tissues, the initial state of excitement gives way to a depression of vital functions.
The person who has taken considerable amount of alcohol may break into a cold sweat, become pale, vomit, and slip into unconsciousness. But as his body gradually metabolizes the alcohol, the stupor disappears after a few hours.
As in most cases of drug addiction, there are ways by which chronic alcoholism may be treated. The objective of the treatment is to sober an intoxicated person up. The first step calls for emptying his stomach by helping him to vomit. This is possible by making him drink 2 to 3 glasses of warm salt water (1 teaspoonful of salt to a glass of warm water). Keep his body warm. Remember that an intoxicated person easily chills and can develop pneumonia.
When possible, have him drink a mixture of 1 teaspoonful of aromatic spirit of ammonia in a glass of water. The stimulating effect of this mixture should help offset the depressing effect of the alcohol. This is also a way of saying that giving sedatives to an intoxicated person is a no-no.
Note that death can occur in cases when the concentration of alcohol within the body fluids becomes excessively high. When death from alcohol poisoning does occur, it is from the complete loss of function of the breathing mechanism.
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