Alcoholismo

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Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used tomean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption ofalcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing. It is medically considered a disease,specifically a neurological disorder, and in medicine several other terms are used, specifically "alcohol abuse" and "alcohol dependence," which have more specific definitions.[1] In 1979 an expert World HealthOrganization committee discouraged the use of "alcoholism" in medicine, preferring the category of "alcohol dependence syndrome".[2] In the 19th and early 20th centuries, alcohol dependence ingeneral was called dipsomania, but that term now has a much more specific meaning.[3] People suffering from lcoholism are often called "alcoholics". Many other terms, some of them insulting or informal,have been used throughout history. TheWorld Health Organization estimates that there are 140 million people with alcoholism worldwide.[4][5]
Alcoholism is called a "dual disease" since it includesboth mental and physical components.[6] The biological mechanisms that cause alcoholism are not well understood. Social environment, stress,[7] mental health, family history, age, ethnic group, and genderall influence the risk for the condition.[8][9] Long-term alcohol abuse produces changes in the brain's structure and chemistry such astolerance and physical dependence. These changes maintain theperson with alcoholism's compulsive inability to stop drinking and result in alcohol withdrawal syndrome if the person stops.[10] Alcohol damages almost every organ in the body, including the brain. Thecumulative toxic effects of chronic alcohol abuse can cause both medical and psychiatric problems.[11]

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Drug

Coffee is the most widely...