and deficiencies in essential amino acids, B-complex
vitamins (especially vitamins B 1 ,B 2 , and B 6 ), and
vitamin C. They may develop either deficiencies or
excesses ofvitamin A. Along with nutritional deficien-
cies, the person with alcoholism often has liver dam-
age. Cirrhosis, a disease in which the liver develops
scar tissue and stops functioning, is the cause of death
in about 32% of people with alcoholism worldwide.
Alcoholism also substantially increases the chance of
dying by violence or developing esophageal cancer,
mouth cancer, and liver cancer or breast cancer in
women. Heavy drinking increases the risk of stroke
and cardiovascular disease and can cause brain dam-
age, loss of judgment, loss of motor skills, and memory
loss.
Precautions
Some people who should never drink alcohol.
These include:
children and adolescents under age 21
women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or who
could become pregnant
people who cannot control their drinking and keep it
at the level of moderate consumption
people who plan to drive, fly a plane, operate danger-
ous equipment, act as a lifeguard, or perform any
activity that requires quick reactions, good judg-
ment, and coordination
people who are unable to control their aggression
when they drink
people taking certain medications (see below)
people with liver or kidney damage
people who are recovering from alcoholism
Interactions
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant.
More than 150 drugs interact with alcohol. Some of
these interactions can be fatal, especially those that
involve narcotic drugs that also depress the central
nervous system. Categories of drugs that interact
with alcohol include:
narcotic drugs
sleeping pills
antidepressants
anti-anxiety medications
antihistamines
Aftercare
The best-known treatment for alcohol abuse dis-
orders is the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anony-
mous. This program uses social support, rewards, and
mentoring to change behavior. For it to succeed, the
person with alcoholism must want to recover and must
be willing to work at achieving sobriety. Relapses are
common. Families of alcoholics may be helped by Al-
Non and teens by Alateen, whether or not their family
member with alcoholism participates in Alcoholics
Anonymous.
The United States Food and Drug Administra-
tion (FDA) approved three medications for the treat-
ment of alcoholism. Disulfiram (Antabuse) makes the
individual feel ill after drinking alcohol. Naltrexone
(Depade, ReVia) act on the brain to reduce the craving
for alcohol, and acamprosate (Canpral) reduces with-
drawal symptoms. These medications are more effec-
tive with some people than others.Complications
Complications of moderate and heavy alcohol
abuse are listed above. In addition to physical compli-
cations, alcohol consumption can take an emotional
and psychological toll on relationships and families, espe-
cially on children who have aparent with alcoholism.Parental concerns
Alcohol consumption by adolescents substan-
tially increases their risk of being in both fatal and
nonfatal motor vehicle accidents. It also increases the
chance of participating in risky sexual behavior, fail-
ing or dropping out of school, committing suicide, and
being a homicide victim. Children who begin to drink
before age 15 are four times more likely to develop
alcoholism than people who begin drinking at age 21.Resources
BOOKS
Watson, Ronald R. and Victor R. Preedy, eds.Nutrition and
Alcohol: Linking Nutrient Interactions and Dietary
Intake. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2004.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Dietetic Association. 120 South Riverside Plaza,
Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995. Telephone:
(800) 877-1600. Website:<http://www.eatright.org>
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1600 Clifton
Road, Atlanta, GA. 30333. Telephone: (800) 311-3435
or (404) 639-3534. Website:<http://www.cdc.gov/>
Linus Pauling Institute. Oregon State University, 571
Weniger Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-6512. Telephone:
(541) 717-5075. Fax: (541) 737-5077. Website:<http://
lpi.oregonstate.edu>
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
(NCADD). 22 Cortlandt Street, Suite 801, New York,
NY 10007-3128. Telephone: (212) 269-7797. Fax: (212)Alcohol consumption