Alcohol addiction, also called alcoholism is a chronic disease which disturbs a number of normal functioning processes of the human body. A combination of psychological, sociological, and genetic factors tend to be the root cause of this disease. It is further enabled by the preoccupation with alcohol and excessive drinking. Aside from proving to effectively interfere with an individual’s behavior patterns, it leads to a number of ill effects on the body.

It has been observed that a number of serious health issues have been associated with alcoholism. Here are 9 such serious health issues which can affect one severely if habituated to alcohol and in some cases result in fatal consequences.

• Pancreatitis
  It is commonly known as gastritis (stomach irritation). Excessive drinking enhances the inflammation of the pancreas which results in chronic pancreatitis. Therefore, patients may encounter frequent indigestion problems, persistent diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
• Nerve damage
  Alcoholic neuropathy is another severe health issue which can be caused by alcohol addiction. Due to the level of alcohol raised in the body, it will affect the nerve and impairs the proper function of the nervous system. Other health issues like constipation, incontinence, and erectile dysfunction are also associated with the ill-functioning of the nervous system.
• Dementia
  It is very common that the brain starts shrinking as the individual starts aging. But according to a study, it has been proved that excessive drinking which is also known as alcoholism is the key factor for increasing the rate of the shrinking process of the brain as compared to normal. This can lead to memory loss, a deficit in the ability to make plan, judgments, and decisions.
• Cirrhosis
  Alcohol is extremely toxic to the liver cells in the body. Thus, it is very common that the people suffering from alcohol addiction are prone to get affected by conditions like liver cirrhosis. In this disease, the liver gets severely scarred and hence is unable to function properly.
• Gout
  It is another health condition which is caused by alcohol addiction leading to inflammation in certain parts of the body. A steady and excessive intake of alcohol helps in accumulating the crystals of uric acid in several body parts since the kidneys excrete alcohol instead of uric acid.
• Seizure
  Unrestricted drinking can increase the triggers of seizures which results in epilepsy.
• Depression
  Most people think that drinking alcohol helps one relax and offers a break from stress but this is not the case. Individuals prone to depression, turn to drinks as numbing agents but this essentially slows down their systems since alcohol is a depressant. It can have an effect on the brain’s neurotransmitters responsible for controlling impulses, emotions, and the mind’s functioning up to a large extent.
• Infectious diseases
  In general, alcohol addiction lowers the capability of the immune system to fight disease. Therefore, an addicted person can easily get affected by STDs, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.
• High-blood pressure
  Alcoholism also has an impact on the blood pressure and increases it a few times more than the normal rate. This major factor can lead to heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Thus, it is important that one indulges in alcohol within limits and is aware of the dangers of alcohol addiction.