se, over time, causes physical, emotional, and social changes in a person which compound each other and are cumulative. If the disease is not stopped, these changes can cause the organs of the body to become impaired and damaged to the point where the victim dies (Morse & Flavin, 1994, p. 32). The depression and sadness that can accompany an alcoholic's drinking can lead many alcoholics to attempt suicide. A larger number of individuals, with alcoholism, attempt suicide than in the normal population (Blum & Payne, 1994, p. 20). As the drinking of alcohol persists and becomes heavy, the physiological effects begin to cause the deterioration of the alcoholic's body. The lining of the esophagus can become irritated causing it to swell. The stomach and intestines can become irritated by the level of alcohol consumed and precipitate severe gastritis or ulceration (Blum & Payne, 1994, p. 20). Uric acid, which may not be excreted from the body of an alcoholic, can crystalize in various body tissues and joints. This produces pain and swelling. The pancreas may be affected producing hypoglycemia, an inability of the body to regulate and raise the level of sugar in the blood. Catecholamine may build up in the body causing excessive perspiration, tremors, fast pulse and continuing bouts of anxiety (Blum & Payne, 1994, p. 20).
Alcoholism often causes nutritional deficiencies as it progresses. Nutritional deficiencies can be the cause of the alcoholic's loss of sensation in his or her legs, ankles, feet and sometimes arms and hands. Wernick
...