ways. These include overdose, accidents, violence and medical problems. Some of these medical problems are: heart disease, cancer, gastrointestinal and liver problems, pneumonia and other infections, mental and neurological disorders, skin disorders, muscle disorders, bone disorders, hormonal effects, diabetes, malnutrition, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), ulcers, variations in blood pressure, vitamin deficiency, obesity and sexual difficulties. Some of the mental and neurological disorders include: Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD), Manic Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Schizophrenia. Alcoholics are also two to three times more likely to smoke than other people. This brings countless more medical problems to throw into the mix with all of the alcohol-related problems.Alcohol should be totally avoided by expecting mothers. Any amount of alcohol can have damaging affects including low birth weight and an increased risk for miscarriage. High amounts of alcohol can cause fetal alcohol syndrome, which can lead to retardation. One study showed that alcohol gives the infant a much higher risk of having Leukemia. It should not be forgotten that alcoholism itself is a disease. The chemistry of alcohol allows it to affect nearly every cell in the human body. After prolonged exposure to alcohol the brain adapts to the changes it makes and becomes dependent on it. The severity of this disease is influenced by such factors as genetics, psychology, culture and physical pain. It is said that the risk of alcoholism in sons of alcoholic fathers is twenty-five percent.One of the main problems with quitting drinking is withdrawal. This is when the body has a negative reaction because the alcohol it is so used to is no longer present. About ninety-five percent of alcoholics who quit drinking have mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. Some of the symptoms of withdrawal are agitation, trembling, disturbed sleep and a lack of appet...
