Alcoholism Chronic Brain Disease

Over time, alcoholism has been viewed in a multitude of distinct ways. Alcoholism is known as the physical dependence on alcohol, which may start to negatively change the addict’s life. Most people believe that alcoholism is a chronic disease and there are also some whom believe that it is simply an addiction that has gone way too far. Alcohol is a common substance that has been linked to numerous addictions, whether it’s binge drinking, alcohol abuse or the dependence on alcohol. Due to the immense amount of alcohol dependency, it is highly possible that it may in fact be a disease. For this complex disease to be known, it is important that others don’t suffer the harsh effects of alcoholism. The negative effects of alcoholism may lead to …show more content…

As one consumes heavy amounts of alcohol, it starts to alter the way brain functions. In one researcher’s new technology, it has shown a “high-tech scanning has resulted in new understanding that alcoholism is in fact a chronic brain disease.” (Williams, par. 2), it was quite obvious to the researchers that the addicts’ brain has been changed negatively. The effects of alcoholism can range from faintly overwhelming to simply critical. The dependence on alcohols has led to; “The inability to make clear decisions is a by-product of the same disease from which the addict is trying to escape.” (Williams, par. 8), as a result, alcohol can completely rewire the brain. The idea of addiction is quite difficult to understand, the way addiction has affected addict’s brains may be complicated but as of now, “What we’re beginning to understand now, at the level of the brain, is that there are lots of cards that are stacked in the wrong direction.” (Williams, par. 12), the neurotransmitters in the brain that use communication can be disrupted by the substance that was used. In addition to the alter to the brain, alcohol has interfered with the brain’s pleasure pathway, “Research has shown that all drugs of abuse directly or indirectly activate the brain’s pleasure pathway” (Williams, par. 21), over time the brain will eventually want more of that high that it gained from the chemical substance, but it’s a trick, the addict will feel compelled to keep using the substance to feel “normal”. Considering the facts on the effects of alcohol, it is important to know that alcoholism may in fact be a brain disease that will continuously change the brain, but without successful recovery it may not be a challenge that can be