Social Problems caused by Alcohol

Alcoholism not only affects the problem drinker, but it also negatively influences those who are closest to the alcoholic, namely his family, friends, other relatives, coworkers, and neighbors. The following list is a sample of the social problems that result from alcoholism:
Alcohol related traffic fatalities and injuries on the highways
Birth defects such as fetal alcohol syndrome
Broken, dysfunctional homes
Work-related injuries and accidents
Destroyed relationships
Wife battering
Child abuse
Codependent behavior in others
Destroyed livesDo you drink and drive, operate machinery or mix alcohol with over-the-counter or prescription medicine? Are you pregnant or are trying to become pregnant and drink? Do you drink alcohol while you are in charge of the lives of small children? Do you fail to inform your doctor that you are a regular drinker? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you are taking risks with alcohol.

Alcohol Problems: Diseases and Medical Conditions

Alcoholism directly or indirectly causes a number of medical conditions, diseases, and health problems. We will focus first on the various types of cancer associated with alcoholism and then discuss the non-cancerous ailments and illnesses that are related to this disease.
Alcohol Problems: Cancer

The following is a list of various types of cancer that are directly or indirectly caused by alcohol addiction:
Rectum
Throat
Stomach
Colon
Larynx
Liver
Esophagus
Kidneys
Alcohol Problems: Non-Cancerous Medical Conditions

The following is a list non-cancerous medical conditions, diseases, and health problems caused directly or indirectly by alcohol dependency:
Cirrhosis of the liver
Cardiovascular problems such as strokes, cardiomyopathy (damage to the heart muscle), heart failure, and high blood pressure
Sever thiamine deficiency
Brain damage
Kidney and urinary tract infections
Impaired learning ability
Pneumonia
Ulcers from the perforation of the stomach and the intestines
Numbness of the feet and hands
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms when the alcoholic stops drinking
Alcohol Poisoning
Vitamin D deficiency (which can result in bone fractures)
Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach)
Organ and system malfunction
Inflammation of the digestive system
Memory loss
Vitamin deficiencies (such as folate, selenium, riboflavin, thiamin, and vitamin B6)
Wernicke's disease (a memory disorder)
Infections
Coma
Kidney failure
Mental confusion
Death (from alcohol poisoning, excessive intoxication, and organ malfunction)
Harm to the fetus while the mother is pregnant
Korsakoff's syndrome (a memory disorder)
Problems with the immune system
Pancreatitis
Nervous system damage
Destruction of brain cells
Sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction and impotence in men
Diabetes
Dehydration
Vitamin A deficiency (which can cause night blindness)
Loss of intellectual abilities